Erin Moriarty from The Boys discusses Starlight’s terrible background with a member of The Seven. With season 4’s launch date just days away, The Boys introduces some new superheroes, including Firecracker, played by The Tick’s Valorie Curry.
The character does not exist in the comics that inspired the Emmy-winning Prime Video series. However, she appears to have a strained relationship with Moriarty’s character Annie January, also known as Starlight.
In an interview with Comicbook.com, along with co-stars Karen Fukuhara and Claudia Doumit, Moriarty spoke about Starlight’s past of bullying Firecracker and how that could be traced back to Starlight’s relationship with her mother. The actor discussed why she loved the bullying revelation and how she approached it as an actor. Read the full comment below:
“I love that they keep adding these flaws and vulnerabilities to a character that ultimately, in my mind, make her more endearing, more appealing to play, more appealing to watch. And it’s just, to me, the most surprising part was when I have a moment with Firecracker where she reveals a part of my past where I was a bully.
That was like, for myself, as Erin, was something that I had to transcend. Like, I was a bully in my past. And I did that. And there’s a reason why I did that because my mom was doing this, and this and that. I love that moment. Because that, to me, is the most unambiguous malicious moment. We’ve seen her exemplify—everything else has been with a good intention. I love that they add those little bits.”
The Boys Season 4 Could Put The Spotlight Back On Starlight
Her History With Firecracker Could Spell Trouble.
“The newbie addition to The Seven might have more incentive to harm Starlight, potentially even tracking down Donna.”
Based on Moriarty’s remarks, The Boys season 4 is primed to revisit Starlight’s history as Annie January and drill down on the character she used to be before joining The Seven and linking up with Butcher and Hughie. This would be somewhat of a departure from season 3, which placed Starlight as a rational voice, and teased her growing frustration with Homelander, though both stories seemed to be stuck in place.
Though the superhero spoof has previously covered Starlight’s childhood, there is still room for more exploration. Moriarty also mentions Starlight’s connection with her mother, Donna (Ann Cusack), which is intriguing. The relationship between the two is close, yet strained due to Donna’s dominating behavior as a stage parent. Starlight still loves her, though, and sent Donna away late in season 2 to shield her from harm.
Moriarty’s admission is also intriguing in terms of what it might imply for Firecracker. The newcomer to The Seven may have greater reason to damage Starlight, possibly even tracking out Donna. Despite shifting friendships and conflicts on The Boys, she may find common ground with Starlight. Starlight is expected to have several memorable moments in the coming weeks, regardless of the circumstances.