Homelander by The Boys is compared by many fans to Darth Vader on television. On screen, Antony Starr plays a supervillain who has gained notoriety. It’s hard to see him in any other job, as he’s basically the face of Homelander. A lesser-known TV show, though, might make fans reconsider. In the thriller series Banshee, Antony Starr portrays a highly convincing ex-con, phony sheriff, and thief.
Banshee delves into the realm of gangster characters with outstanding writing, exciting story turns, and lots of action.Fans have drawn comparisons between the series and John Wick since its debut.The crime drama has a gritty feel to it, and people with dubious morals are nothing new. Lucas Hood, Starr’s anti-hero, is unquestionably the show’s high point. Starr’s eventual success as Homelander was made possible by his nuanced and genuine portrayal of the wounded Lucas.
Lucas is a hardened villain with a sad past who was recently released from jail after a 15-year term.While there are numerous similarities between the character and Homelander, the character also gives Starr a closer-up, more intimate, and emotional role.The troubles of Lucas, the main character of the story, are evident in every scene. Banshee is a great viewing for anyone who are eager to see more from Starr.
Anthony Starr portrays a former criminal turned sheriff.
Antony Starr plays a very dangerous-looking lead role, Lucas Hood, a thief and ex-con, who has just gotten out of prison after serving 15 years. He’s trying to rekindle a connection with the woman he loves, but Ana has moved on. She has a new name, a new life and a family. Lucas, like any other anti-hero protagonist out there, is going to get her back, regardless of the beef they had, so he stays in Banshee. It doesn’t take long for him to get himself into trouble again when he finds himself the only man standing in a bar fight, and one of the dead men happens to be a sheriff. With a mark on his back, Lucas stays in town and assumes a new identity as the dead sheriff. Needless to say, Antony Starr’s character is a chaotic bad boy.
Lucas Hood is undoubtedly a dark character, and just like Homelander, Starr made sure that his portrayal of Lucas isn’t single-layered. Lucas Hood is the kind of man that makes you question things. He’s an anti-hero, someone who happens to be in the position of saving the world, but not in a way that’s supposed to happen. For Lucas, that’s violence, and Starr keeps viewers on the verge of asking whether Lucas is really doing the right thing because he has a heart or perhaps he just enjoys the fight. The fake sheriff is able to bring justice to Banshee in a way that the rest of the station couldn’t by being the one person who knows how to fight. Starr is covered in blood half of the time.
On the other hand, what makes this character so great is how relatable Lucas Hood is. Starr really is Lucas in the show. He’s able to bring a level of authenticity and depth to this character that makes Lucas a real person, not just a character on the show. Starr’s ability to get so deep into a character is also what makes Homelander so memorable. Similar to Homelander, Lucas has problems. He’s haunted by deep traumas that make him unstable. He can’t help himself from living on the edge. Even though he’s playing the role of a cop during the day, he’s still a thief at night, getting himself into desperate situations.
How Did Banshee Prepare Starr for the Role of Homelander?
Antony Starr finds it difficult to relate to Homelander, mostly since Starr is not at all like Homelander in real life. It’s not an easy task to delve into the dark and unsettling realm of someone with a really problematic background. Being a sociopath and narcissist, Homelander might easily have been reduced to a one-dimensional antagonist, but Starr highlights the human aspects of Homelander, making him seem less like a cartoon figure and more like a genuine person. Lucas Hood’s portrayal of a dark character in Banshee provides an in-depth look into the complex inner world of villains, and it is this experience that has given him the capacity to enter into the mind space of dark characters.
Even as a sociopathic narcissist, Homelander has a vulnerable side that makes him relatable. On a similar scale to being a cold-blooded murderer who turns to violence as a coping mechanism, Lucas Hood has a similar duality of being extremely vulnerable and impenetrable. Season 4 of The Boys taps more into the supervillain’s backstory, but with Lucas Hood, Starr spent all four seasons exploring the nuances of a villain. Season 1 of Banshee dives right into Lucas’ past and sees it having a hold on his present life.
The series only deepened its reach into Lucas’ character over the course of the next three seasons. Of course, a successful character also requires good writing, and with Homelander, Starr worked closely with scriptwriters on adding depth to his character. Homelander’s weird obsession with milk also has a bit of Starr’s output in it. He wouldn’t be able to have the expertise in villainy if it wasn’t for his past credits.
Banshee Is a Hidden Thriller Gem
The show has been praised as John Wick on television. There are many similarities between Banshee and John Wick. They are both action-packed and full of cruel and bloody scenes. They both excel at world-building and feature a memorable cast. Lucas Hood is basically a more troubled version of John Wick. Even though Banshee is a less-known crime show in the genre, its high quality of writing and performance make it bingeworthy. It’s a real hidden gem that deserves recognition.
Banshee is gritty and intense. The writing on the show is top-notch. Much like its multi-layered main character, the thriller series is not short on complications and immersive storytelling. There are multiple storylines going on at the same time, making the fast-paced series a thrill to watch, each episode ending on a cliffhanger.
