The Boys showrunner Erik Kripke says scripts for season 5 are "half-written" despite filming being under way

Antony Starr as Homelander and Cameron Crovetti as Ryan during one of the best shows on Amazon Prime, The Boys.
(Image credit: Prime Video)

The Boys season 5 is now filming, but that doesn't mean all the scripts are set in stone, or even finished. Over a month after we got a first look at the new season, showrunner Eric Kripke has revealed that the new episodes are "not all written".

"They're about half-written," he clarified in a recent interview with Forbes, where he opened up about how real life events are constantly integrated into the world of the popular Prime Video show.

"Things adjust all the time. That happened in season one when like the 'Me Too' movement broke in the middle of the season and we had to go back and rethink a lot of things. So, we're sort of used to this organic movement of the scripts always transforming a little bit, based on what's happening in the world. So, that doesn't really scare us. That's pretty par for the course. You're always rewriting these things right up until the day before they shoot, and sometimes, the day they shoot. So, we're used to changing things as the world changes - but yes, we definitely adjust scripts as new events come to light."

Some details might be added to the scripts following real-life events, but the "main bones" of the story, says Kripke, doesn't change.

"In terms of the big picture of the story, like it stays the same. I mean, especially in the final season when every character has to reach their climax - like we've had those in our back pocket for a while and this season is mostly just figuring out how to get there, you know? So, it's more like the stuff that the characters talk about that's happening in society and some of the joke targets we're taking, and some of that stuff changes, but the main bones of it stays pretty similar."

The Boys, after all, has always been a very political show, satirizing American society to explore the corruption of power, corporate greed, and the dangers of fascist figures masquerading as charismatic leaders. As the show gets ready to delivery its final season, Kripke talked about what the story is all about.

"Look, I think The Boys probably, for better or worse, is a political show at this point. I think season four was political. I think the world has sort of grown to resemble the show more and more in a way that's not great. And so, we just sort of lean into it, " he started.

"I mean, the show is about why and how you should question your leaders. You should question anyone who stands in front of you. You should question anyone who is pitching you simple answers to complicated problems and who is saying that they're the only ones who can save you - like those are dangerous people. Obviously, we're not shy about saying that, but I take a little bit of pride in that for our bananas superhero show, we're one of the most current shows on TV, in terms of like reflecting exactly what's happening in the world at this moment, and that's great. It's amazing for a superhero show to be doing that. So, I'm really proud that we pulled that off."

The Boys season 5 is now filming. For more, check out our selection of the best shows on Prime Video and the best movies on Prime Video to watch now.

CATEGORIES
Mireia Mullor
Contributing Writer

Mireia is a UK-based culture journalist and critic. She previously worked as Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy, and her work as a freelance writer has appeared in WeLoveCinema and Spanish magazines Fotogramas, Esquire, and Elle. She is also a published author, having written a book about Studio Ghibli's 'Kiki's Delivery Service' in 2023. Talking about anime and musicals is the best way to grab her attention.

Read more
The Boys season 5: Karl Urban as William "Billy" Butcher punching an enemy during The Boys season 4.
The Boys season 5 release date speculation, cast, plot, and more news
Hughie in The Boys season 1
The Boys season 5 gets a bloody update from Hughie star in gory behind the scenes snap: "Work's been going great guys"
The Boys season 3
The Boys fans have some big theories about where Eric Kripke will take Soldier Boy in season 5
Omni-Man holding someone's fist
J.K. Simmons confirms that work has already started on Invincible season 4: "We actually have dipped our toes"
Stranger Things season 5 set photo
Stranger Things creators Duffer Brothers reveal they filmed over 650 hours of footage for the final season of the Netflix hit, as behind-the-scenes teaser is shown behind closed doors
Gen V season 2: Jaz Sinclair as Marie in the TV series Gen V.
Gen V season 2: Everything we know so far
Latest in Amazon Prime Video
Mark Grayson in Invincible season 3
Voice acting is "complete" on Invincible season 4, which is a major boost to its 2026 release plans
Jack Quaid and Jensen Ackles in The Boys
Soldier Boy-centred The Boys prequel adds two stars in mystery roles for the upcoming superhero show
Mark Grayson in Invincible season 3
Invincible creator reveals fan-favorite villain is already cast ahead of season 4: "He's amazing"
Mark Grayson in Invincible season 3
Invincible season 3 video shows just how well the Conquest fight was adapted from the comics
Blade Runner 2099 will feel more like the original than Denis Villeneuve's version, says star
Mikey Madison in Anora
6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (March 21 - 23)
Latest in News
phase zero key art showing zombies in a hallway
Former Witcher 3 and Dying Light devs reveal their Resident Evil homage, complete with PS1-style fixed cameras
Shadow of Mordor's Nemesis System was only created because WB Games wanted something to combat Batman Arkham Asylum's second-hand sales, exec says
First-person screenshot from ASYLUM, showing the protagonist's hand holding up a notebook while walking through a dark corridor.
After 15 years and a $120,000 Kickstarter push, this cult horror dev has finally released a successor to their 2006 breakout game
screenshot from Rogue Light Deck Builder showing a claymation figure sitting behind a desk.
With 97% positive reviews on Steam, Rogue Light Deck Builder is a hilarious $3 parody game that takes its name very literally
Lady Dimitrescu and Austin Abrams
The new Resident Evil movie may have found a lead in a Euphoria star
Leatherface and Glen Powell
Glenn Powell could be taking a swing at a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre