Homelander has never been the perfect parent in The Boys, but Antony Starr predicts a difficult season for Ryan. Ryan, the biological son of Homelander and Becca Butcher, has spent the most of his existence concealed and protected by Vought. However, when Billy Butcher discovered his existence, Homelander accepted his kid, and they discovered that Ryan possesses the same abilities as his father. Ryan has since joined Homelander and will most likely be a formidable force in The Boys season 4.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant ahead of the new season’s premiere, Starr opened up about Ryan’s future and Homelander’s shaky relationship with fatherhood. Driven by selfishness and his own ego, Homelander poses an existential threat to Ryan and eventually drives him to reconnect with the unpleasant Billy Butcher. Check out his full quote below:

“How is Homelander treating fatherhood? I think it’s an interesting thing. I just not long ago realized how selfish he is about the whole thing. I’ve always sort of looked at it as a desperate need for connection and all that. But really this season, if you look at it through one lens, it’s very selfishly about legacy and what he wants his son to be. And it’s a very controlling way; his parenting is quite controlling as much.

There is a very genuine love there, but it’s really mashed up with some horrific parenting choices. Father of the year he is never going to be, but it is interesting to watch, and it’s really good. What it does that is really interesting is it really puts Ryan into an interesting position where he reaches out to Butcher, and there’s a lot of jeopardy around that. There’s a lot of jeopardy for him around that, so it’s an interesting season.”

Homelander And Ryan Have A Complicated Relationship

Homelander Has No Idea How To Be A Father

Among The Boys‘ cast of characters, Ryan is an extreme genetic anomaly, as most Supes do not inherit their powers from their parents. Ryan is the exception, as he shares the same powers as his biological father. His extraordinary abilities mean that he could someday become as powerful as Homelander, and they are also the reason that Homelander enjoys Ryan’s company. Homelander generally values strength and power over any other trait, so having a son who can serve as an equal empowers him.

Unfortunately, Homelander’s love for Ryan is only as strong as the boy’s abilities. He views Ryan as his property and is willing to hurt him if it means activating more of those powers. In one instance, he threw Ryan off of a rooftop, despite Ryan begging him not to. When Ryan was hurt, Homelander threatened Becca for feeling concern for her son and repeatedly downplayed Ryan’s injuries and pain. Despite that, Homelander typically views Ryan as an extension of himself, so anyone else attempting to attack his son results in inevitable violence.

Ryan’s shaky relationship with Billy Butcher has left him on an uncertain path. Ryan could remain with Homelander, who praises and empowers him but cares little for his interests, or he could remain with Butcher, who has repeatedly rejected him, but cares about him as an individual. It is a difficult prospect for any teenage boy, but especially one who is the biological son of the world’s most powerful Supe. The Boys season 4 will force Ryan back to Butcher’s side, and it could have deadly consequences for Homelander.