Antony Starr, known for portraying the menacing Homelander in Prime Video's The Boys, initially showed little interest in auditioning for the role. The New Zealand actor dismissed the opportunity due to self-doubt about fitting the superhero mold. His eventual audition, however, secured him one of television's most iconic villain roles.
Initial Reluctance
Antony Starr was thriving in his career when casting calls for The Boys came in. Having built a resume with early appearances on Xena: Warrior Princess and lead roles in Australian series like Mercy Peak, Outrageous Fortune, and Tricky Business, he gained U.S. recognition starring in the 2013 Cinemax drama Banshee. Despite his reps pushing the pilot script, Starr ignored it for about a week and a half, assuming a superhero project wouldn't suit his physique.
He compared himself unfavorably to actors like Henry Cavill, telling Metro in a 2020 interview: "They're not going to pick me anyway, I'm not made for that. Henry Cavill's 12 feet tall, built like a 12-foot brick s**t house, and he's wonderful, handsome and charming – I'm not going to get that."
Turning Point and Audition
Frustrated by persistent nudges from his team, Starr filmed a casual audition on his iPad in a dressing room during another project, describing it as an act "almost out of spite." The tape reached showrunner Eric Kripke, who was impressed. Upon reading the script, Starr appreciated the series' subversive take on superheroes, prompting him to invest more effort.
For his screen test, he arranged a low-budget setup in a basement, joking it resembled a Blair Witch Project scene. This unconventional approach aligned well with Homelander's complex, tormented character. Starr's persistence paid off, leading to his casting and delivering a standout performance in the Prime Video hit.