The 10 Best Characters from 'The Boys', Ranked

It’s a Saturday morning in late August, and a cool, anticipatory breeze is drifting through London, carrying the first subtle hint of autumn. It’s the kind of morning that invites us to settle in with something complex, dark, and utterly compelling. In the vast, crowded landscape of modern television, no show has seized the cultural moment with more savage wit and brutal honesty than Prime Video's The Boys. It is a series that has redefined the superhero genre, not by celebrating its heroes, but by dissecting them with a scalpel, exposing the corrupt, narcissistic, and terrifyingly human core beneath the capes.

The show's power lies in its unforgettable characters. On platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, they have become modern archetypes. The terrifying, unblinking stare of Homelander is a viral meme, a symbol of unchecked power and fragile ego. The gritty, determined aesthetic of Billy Butcher inspires fashion and fan art. The show's characters are not just watched; they are debated, analyzed, and obsessed over, a testament to the incredible depth and complexity of their writing and performances. The trends are clear: audiences are captivated by these morally grey, deeply flawed, and brilliantly realized individuals.

To rank the ten “best” characters from The Boys is to navigate a minefield of fan passion and critical debate. It is an attempt to quantify the impact of a gallery of rogues, heroes, villains, and tragic figures who have all left an indelible mark on television history. This is not just a list based on who is the most powerful or the most "liked." It is a comprehensive ranking based on a character's narrative impact, their complexity, their performance, and their place in the cultural conversation.

This is your definitive, in-depth guide to the souls who inhabit this dark and brilliant universe. From the moral compass of Mother’s Milk to the silent, deadly mystery of Black Noir, we will journey through the ten characters who have made The Boys one of the most essential, binge-worthy dramas of our time.

Enjoyed what you read? If you find this article insightful and it helps you appreciate the brilliant character work in the show, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!

10. The Deep

The Vibe: The deeply insecure, perpetually pathetic, and tragically comedic C-list superhero whose journey of self-(un)discovery is one of the show's most brilliant and uncomfortable running gags.

Synopsis: Kevin Moskowitz, aka The Deep, is the Aquaman of The Seven, a supe with the ability to communicate with sea creatures and breathe underwater. When we first meet him, he is a perfect example of the toxic, privileged culture of The Seven, using his position of power to sexually assault the newcomer, Starlight. This despicable act sees him cast out of the team, sending him on a bizarre and often hilarious odyssey of self-discovery, which includes a brief but intense involvement with a Scientology-like cult called the Church of the Collective. His entire arc is a desperate, pathetic attempt to reclaim his status and find a shred of self-worth.

Why He’s a Top Character: The Deep is a fascinating and essential character because he is a masterclass in satire. He is a walking, talking embodiment of performative, self-serving redemption. Chace Crawford's performance is comedic genius; he perfectly captures The Deep’s profound insecurity and his complete lack of self-awareness. His storylines are often the most absurd and outrageously funny in the entire series—from his ill-fated attempt to rescue a dolphin to his deeply unsettling relationship with an octopus named Timothy. But beneath the comedy, there is a sharp and incisive commentary on celebrity scandal, cancel culture, and the empty promises of wellness cults. He is a character you love to hate, and hate to admit you sometimes feel sorry for.

Defining Moment: The infamous "gills" scene, where he is peer-pressured by a woman from the Church of the Collective to confront his body dysmorphia by looking at his own gills in a mirror. It’s a scene that is so deeply weird, so uncomfortable, and so hilariously pathetic that it perfectly encapsulates his entire character. For more on the show's unique brand of dark humour, check out our list of 6 Must-See Dark Comedy Movies. For a deep dive into the show's satire, The Ringer has some fantastic articles.

9. A-Train

The Vibe: The arrogant, insecure, and morally bankrupt speedster whose desperate quest to stay relevant is a tragic and compelling exploration of the dark side of professional sports and celebrity.

Synopsis: Reggie Franklin, aka A-Train, is the fastest man in the world and a long-standing member of The Seven. His story begins with the act of shocking, careless violence that kicks off the entire series: he runs directly through Hughie Campbell's girlfriend at supersonic speed. A-Train's arc is defined by his crippling insecurity and his terror of losing his speed and, with it, his place in The Seven. This fear leads him to become addicted to Compound V, the drug that gives supes their powers, and to make a series of increasingly desperate and morally corrupt decisions, from murdering his teammate to betraying his own family.

Why He’s a Top Character: A-Train is one of the most complex and well-developed characters in the entire series. He is not a one-note villain; he is a deeply flawed and often surprisingly sympathetic character. Jessie T. Usher’s performance is brilliant, perfectly capturing A-Train’s outward bravado and his deep, gnawing insecurity. His storyline is a powerful and incisive critique of the brutal, win-at-all-costs nature of professional sports and the commodification of Black athletes. His journey, which sees him try to rebrand himself and reconnect with his roots, only to be pulled back into the corrupt world of Vought, is a compelling and often tragic cycle.

Defining Moment: His confrontation with Blue Hawk in Season 3. After Blue Hawk brutalizes a Black neighbourhood, A-Train finally uses his powers not for fame, but for a twisted form of justice, dragging the racist supe across the pavement at incredible speed, a violent act that results in his own heart giving out. It’s a shocking, brutal, and morally complex moment that is a perfect culmination of his character arc.

8. Black Noir

The Vibe: The silent, deadly, and completely enigmatic ninja of The Seven, whose mysterious nature hides a tragic and surprisingly cartoonish secret.

Synopsis: For the first two seasons, Black Noir is a terrifying and unknowable force. He is a silent, masked assassin who carries out Vought's dirtiest work with brutal efficiency. He is presented as the ultimate badass, a character who is feared by even the other members of The Seven. He doesn't speak, and he never removes his mask. His backstory is a complete mystery, making him one of the most intriguing and speculated-about characters on the show.

Why He’s a Top Character: Black Noir is a brilliant subversion of the "strong, silent type" archetype. The show masterfully builds up his mystique for two full seasons, making him seem like the ultimate, unstoppable killer. Which is what makes the revelation of his true nature in Season 3 so incredibly brilliant and hilarious. Through a series of animated flashbacks, we learn that the terrifying Black Noir is, in fact, a deeply traumatized man who sees the world through the eyes of a group of cartoon woodland creatures. These cartoons, including a wise old owl and a friendly beaver, are his coping mechanism for the horrors he has endured.

Defining Moment: The animated flashback sequence that reveals his tragic backstory. Seeing the horrific events of his past, including his brutal confrontation with Soldier Boy, being played out by a cast of cute, cartoon animals is a moment of pure, audacious, and unforgettable genius. It is a scene that is both heartbreakingly sad and outrageously funny, a perfect encapsulation of the show's unique tonal blend. This kind of bold, genre-defining work is always exciting, a quality it shares with the films on our list of The Top 5 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time. For a detailed breakdown of this iconic scene, the Vulture recap is a fantastic resource.

7. Soldier Boy

The Vibe: The original superhero. A toxic, swaggering, and deeply insecure parody of Captain America who is a walking, talking embodiment of outdated, 20th-century masculinity.

Synopsis: Soldier Boy was America's first and greatest superhero, the leader of a team called Payback, and a beloved patriotic icon. He was supposedly killed in action in the 1980s. In Season 3, The Boys discover that he was actually captured by the Russians and has been kept in a secret lab for decades. They free him, hoping to use him as a weapon against Homelander. What they unleash, however, is a deeply traumatized, dangerously powerful, and incredibly prejudiced man who is completely out of step with the modern world.

Why He’s a Top Character: Soldier Boy is a fantastic and compelling antagonist, and a brilliant piece of social commentary. Jensen Ackles’ performance is a revelation; he perfectly captures the character’s blend of old-school, John Wayne-esque charisma and deep-seated, toxic insecurity. Soldier Boy is a deconstruction of the classic, patriotic hero archetype, revealing the ugly racism, sexism, and emotional immaturity that often lay beneath that polished veneer. His story is also a surprisingly poignant exploration of the fear of being replaced and the pain of being forgotten.

Defining Moment: His first encounter with Homelander. The reveal that Soldier Boy is actually Homelander's biological father is a jaw-dropping twist that adds a layer of pathetic, oedipal tragedy to their conflict. Their final, brutal confrontation is not just a battle of titans; it's a deeply dysfunctional and heartbreaking family drama. The show’s complex father-son dynamic is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies About Fathers.

6. Mother’s Milk (M.M.)

The Vibe: The heart, the soul, and the moral compass of The Boys. He is the glue that holds the dysfunctional family together, a man driven by a deep sense of justice and an even deeper love for his daughter.

Synopsis: Marvin T. Milk, or M.M., is a former Marine medic who is reluctantly pulled back into the world of fighting supes by Billy Butcher. While he is a formidable and capable member of the team, his true strength lies in his integrity and his unwavering moral compass. He is often the voice of reason in the chaos, the one who reminds Butcher of the line they cannot cross. His motivation is simple and powerful: he wants to create a safer world for his daughter, Janine. His obsessive-compulsive tendencies are a manifestation of his desperate need to create order in a world of chaos.

Why He’s a Top Character: In a show populated by cynical anti-heroes and outright villains, M.M. is a genuinely good man. Laz Alonso’s performance is full of warmth, strength, and a weary, paternal energy. He is the emotional anchor of the series. His relationships, particularly his fraught but deeply loyal friendship with Butcher and his loving bond with his daughter, provide some of the show's most grounded and heartfelt moments. He is the audience's surrogate, the one who constantly questions the morality of their mission and the human cost of their fight.

Defining Moment: His confrontation with Todd, his daughter's new stepfather and a devoted Homelander supporter, in Season 3. M.M.'s quiet, seething rage as he tries to protect his daughter from Todd's toxic ideology is a powerful and understated piece of acting. It’s a scene that perfectly encapsulates his entire character: a man who will do anything to protect the innocent. The show's focus on a powerful community is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies About Friendship.

5. Kimiko (The Female)

The Vibe: A silent, ferocious, and unstoppable killing machine with the soul of a poet. Her journey from a feral, traumatized weapon to a fully realized member of the team is one of the most beautiful and compelling arcs in the series.

Synopsis: When The Boys first find Kimiko Miyashiro, she is a mute prisoner of a Yakuza group, a seemingly terrified young woman who has been forcibly injected with Compound V. They soon discover that she is a supe with incredible strength and a regenerative healing factor. Initially, she is a volatile and unpredictable weapon, but over the course of the series, she slowly begins to heal from her immense trauma, largely through her deep, loving bond with Frenchie. She learns to communicate through a unique sign language and begins to discover her own identity beyond her powers.

Why He’s a Top Character: Kimiko is a groundbreaking character. Karen Fukuhara’s performance is an absolute tour de force; she conveys a universe of emotion—rage, grief, joy, and love—without ever speaking a word of dialogue. Kimiko’s story is a powerful exploration of trauma and the long, difficult road to healing. Her relationship with Frenchie is the emotional core of the series, a beautiful, tender, and deeply moving love story built on mutual understanding and acceptance.

Defining Moment: The musical number in Season 3. After being temporarily de-powered, a joyful Kimiko imagines a full-blown song-and-dance number with Frenchie in the hospital. It is a moment of pure, unexpected, and beautiful whimsy that gives us a glimpse into her rich inner world. It’s a scene that perfectly encapsulates her journey towards joy and healing. This kind of powerful, life-changing love is a joy to watch, a theme we also loved in The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang | Book Review.

4. Frenchie

The Vibe: The soulful, chaotic, and deeply loyal "chemist" of The Boys. He is a man of many skills and even more regrets, whose redemption arc is one of the most poignant in the series.

Synopsis: Serge, or "Frenchie," is a jack-of-all-trades—a skilled weapons expert, an explosives technician, and a master of infiltration. He is also a deeply sensitive and emotional man, haunted by a past mistake that led to the deaths of his former partners. He is brought back into the fold by Butcher, but his true purpose is found when he meets Kimiko. He is the first person to see the terrified woman behind the "monster," and he becomes her fierce protector, her friend, and her partner.

Why He’s a Top Character: Frenchie is one of the most lovable and complex characters on the show. Tomer Capone's performance is a brilliant blend of chaotic energy, roguish charm, and deep, soulful sadness. Frenchie's journey is one of atonement. He sees a chance to redeem himself for his past failures by protecting Kimiko, and in doing so, he finds a new family and a new purpose. His relationship with Kimiko, as mentioned above, is the beautiful, beating heart of The Boys.

Defining Moment: His conversation with Kimiko, via text messages, after the musical number, where she tells him he is not her "handler" but her family. It's a quiet, simple, and incredibly moving moment that perfectly encapsulates their beautiful, equal partnership. The show's focus on a found family is a huge part of its appeal, a dynamic explored in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies With An Ensemble Cast. For more on the actor, the Tomer Capone fan page on Instagram is a great place to see his work.

3. Starlight (Annie January)

The Vibe: The moral compass of The Seven. A genuinely good person and a true hero who is forced to navigate the corrupt, cynical, and deeply toxic world of Vought.

Synopsis: Annie January is a small-town supe from Iowa with the power to absorb and project light. Her lifelong dream is to join The Seven and use her powers to genuinely help people. Her dream comes true, but it quickly turns into a nightmare as she is immediately confronted with the dark, predatory reality of her new workplace. Her story is a journey of disillusionment, as she moves from a naive idealist to a hardened but still hopeful pragmatist, working as a double agent to expose Vought from the inside.

Why He’s a Top Character: Starlight is the audience's surrogate into the world of The Seven. She is our eyes and ears, and her journey is one of the most compelling in the series. Erin Moriarty gives a phenomenal performance, perfectly capturing Annie’s strength, her vulnerability, and her unwavering moral integrity. Starlight's story is a powerful and timely exploration of what it means to be a good person in a corrupt system, and the immense difficulty of speaking truth to power. Her on-again, off-again romance with Hughie is also a central and deeply compelling relationship.

Defining Moment: Her decision to quit The Seven at the end of Season 3. After being constantly forced to compromise her values, she finally takes a stand, publicly exposing Homelander and Vought and renouncing her "Starlight" identity. It is a powerful moment of self-actualization, where she reclaims her own narrative and becomes her own hero. This kind of powerful character arc is a joy to watch, a quality we also praised in Wonder Woman | Movie Review. For more on the character's comic book history, the The Boys Wiki is a great resource.

2. Billy Butcher

The Vibe: The charismatic, brutal, and tragically broken leader of The Boys. He is a man on a singular, obsessive mission of vengeance, and he will burn down the entire world to achieve it.

Synopsis: Billy Butcher is a former British special forces operative whose life was destroyed when his wife, Becca, was assaulted by Homelander and then disappeared. He is a man consumed by a burning, all-encompassing hatred for all supes, and he has made it his life's mission to expose them and bring down Vought. He is charming, manipulative, and incredibly violent, but beneath his cynical, foul-mouthed exterior is a man who is still deeply in love with his wife and is haunted by his inability to save her.

Why He’s a Top Character: Butcher is one of the most compelling and complex anti-heroes on television. Karl Urban’s performance is an absolute tour de force, a perfect blend of intimidating physicality, roguish charm, and deep, soul-crushing sadness. Butcher is a fascinating and often contradictory character. He is a man who fights monsters, but is constantly in danger of becoming one himself. His journey, especially his decision to take temporary Compound V and become the very thing he hates, is a brilliant and tragic exploration of the corrupting nature of vengeance.

Defining Moment: His final choice in the Season 2 finale. After his wife is accidentally killed by her own son, Ryan, Butcher is faced with a choice: kill the supe-child to avenge his wife, or honour her dying wish to protect him. His decision to save Ryan from Homelander is a profound and powerful moment of grace, a sign that even in his heart full of darkness, there is still a glimmer of the good man he used to be. The show’s unflinching portrayal of betrayal and its consequences is a powerful theme, one you can explore in our list of the Top 7 Best Movies About Betrayal, Revenge, and Deception.

1. Homelander

The Vibe: The most terrifying and compelling villain on modern television. He is a chilling, brilliant, and deeply unsettling deconstruction of the Superman archetype, a god-like being with the fragile, narcissistic ego of a man-child.

Synopsis: Homelander is the leader of The Seven and the most powerful and beloved superhero on the planet. He is a perfect symbol of American patriotism and strength, a hero with a dazzling smile and an unwavering commitment to "truth, justice, and the American way." But behind the public facade is a monstrous, psychopathic narcissist, a deeply insecure and emotionally stunted man who is capable of unimaginable cruelty. He was raised in a lab, a corporate product with no real human connection, and his desperate, terrifying need for love and adoration is his greatest weakness and his most dangerous motivation.

Why He’s at the Top: Homelander is, without a doubt, the single greatest character in The Boys and one of the most iconic villains in television history. Antony Starr’s performance is a work of genius, a terrifying and mesmerizing portrayal of absolute power corrupted by absolute insecurity. Homelander is a brilliant and incisive satire of modern celebrity, corporate power, and right-wing populism. He is a character who is both a comic book villain and a chillingly realistic reflection of our own world. Every scene he is in crackles with an almost unbearable tension, as you are never sure when his charming facade will crack to reveal the monster beneath.

Defining Moment: The final scene of Season 3. After casually murdering a protestor in front of a crowd of his fanatical supporters, there is a moment of stunned silence. And then, the crowd erupts in cheers. The slow, dawning smile on Homelander's face as he realizes that he can do anything he wants and his base will not just accept it, but will love him for it, is one of the most chilling and politically resonant moments in all of television. It is the moment he becomes something even more dangerous than a superhero; he becomes a political movement. The show's complex and terrifying villain is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Villains of All Time.

Conclusion: A New Breed of Hero, A New Era of Television

In the crowded landscape of superhero storytelling, The Boys stands alone. Its genius lies not in its shocking violence or its savage satire, but in its profound commitment to its characters. The ten individuals on this list are a testament to that commitment. They are a gallery of rogues, heroes, and tragic figures who are deeply flawed, endlessly compelling, and brilliantly, terrifyingly human.

These are the characters who have redefined what a superhero story can be. They have challenged our notions of good and evil, of power and responsibility, and have held up a dark, distorted mirror to our own world. As we eagerly await the next chapter in this brilliant, bloody saga, one thing is certain: the world of The Boys is a dark and dangerous place, but we wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Enjoyed what you read? If you found this article insightful, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is The Boys based on a comic book? Yes, the series is based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. While the show follows the same basic premise, it has made significant changes to the plot and characters.

2. Is this show suitable for teenagers? No. The Boys is intended for a mature, adult audience. It contains graphic, bloody violence, explicit sexual content, and strong language.

3. Do I need to watch Gen V to understand The Boys? While you can enjoy The Boys on its own, its spin-off series, Gen V, is set in the same universe and its events directly connect to and influence the main show. Watching both will provide a richer, more complete experience.

4. Who is Soldier Boy? Soldier Boy, introduced in Season 3, is the show's parody of Captain America. He was the original, government-sponsored superhero and the leader of a team called Payback before he mysteriously disappeared in the 1980s.

5. What is "Compound V"? Compound V is the secret, blue chemical created by Vought that gives superheroes their powers. Vought maintains the public fiction that supes are born, but they are, in fact, created through injections of Compound V.

6. Why is Homelander so popular as a villain? Homelander is a fascinating and terrifying villain because he is a perfect blend of Superman's god-like power and the insecure, narcissistic personality of a man-child. Antony Starr's incredible performance has made him one of the most iconic villains in modern television.

7. Where can I find fan communities for the show? The official subreddit, r/TheBoys, on Reddit is a massive and very active community for fan discussions, theories, and memes.

8. What does the "Herogasm" episode refer to? "Herogasm" is based on a notorious, standalone mini-series from the original comics. It refers to an annual, secret orgy for superheroes, which the show adapted in Season 3 as the setting for a major confrontation.

9. How many seasons of The Boys are planned? Showrunner Eric Kripke has stated that he originally envisioned the series running for five seasons, but this is not set in stone. The show will continue as long as there is a compelling story to tell.

10. I've watched the show. Should I read the comics? If you are a fan of the show, you should definitely check out the comics, but be prepared for a different experience. The comics, which you can find on platforms like ComiXology, are even more cynical, violent, and sexually explicit than the show, and many of the plotlines and character arcs are significantly different.