The curtain is finally pulling back on what might be the most disturbing scene in The Boys history – and even the cast wasn't ready for it. Jensen Ackles, returning as the explosive Soldier Boy in the show's fifth and final season, recently revealed he literally walked off set after witnessing a scene so shocking that he broke character mid-take. With filming wrapped as of July 2025 and a 2026 release window confirmed, fans are bracing for what showrunner Eric Kripke promises will be an unforgettable grand finale.
The Scene That Made Soldier Boy Walk Away
At a Supernatural convention in Philadelphia, Ackles shared a behind-the-scenes moment that's already sending shockwaves through the fanbase. The actor described walking into a scene during
The Boys Season 5 production and being so genuinely disturbed that his immediate reaction was to leave the set entirely.
"I walk into the scene… and I go, 'Oh my God.' That wasn't my line… and I just walked back out," Ackles admitted. The scene wasn't what he'd rehearsed during blocking, and the final execution caught him completely off guard. "I wasn't prepared for that. And I don't think anybody else will be either," he warned fans.
For context, this is the same show that's featured exploding bodies, graphic superhero violence, and scenes so boundary-pushing they've become iconic. If something made
Jensen Ackles – who's no stranger to dark content – physically leave the set, fans should buckle up.
Production Wrapped With Emotional Farewell
Showrunner Eric Kripke confirmed on July 1, 2025, that filming had officially wrapped on the final season, marking the end of an era for one of Prime Video's most successful original series. In a heartfelt post, Kripke shared a photo of himself standing on the Vought HQ set for the last time before it would be torn down.
"It's bittersweet, but my primary feeling is gratitude," Kripke wrote. "We have the best cast, the best crew, the most fun story to write, and something that is impossible to predict: the right timing. You wait your whole career to have maybe two of those things, if you're lucky. We got all of them".
Homelander himself, Anthony Starr, also paid tribute to the experience in an emotional Instagram post, thanking Kripke for allowing him to "discover and push boundaries" with the twisted character. "We created a monster, sir. And I will miss him, and you," Starr wrote, addressing both the creator and fans.
What We Know About Season 5's Plot
The final season is set to deliver on years of build-up, with multiple explosive storylines converging for what promises to be television's most intense superhero finale.
Butcher Goes Rogue
Season 4's finale left Billy Butcher in a dark place – having killed multiple people and stolen the Supe-killing virus, he's now positioned as potentially the season's biggest threat. Karl Urban's character is expected to lead a brutal campaign to ensure Homelander dies by his hand, no matter the cost.
Homelander's Army and Phase Two
With martial law declared across the United States and Homelander commanding a nationwide Supe army, the blonde villain has never been more powerful. Sister Sage's mysterious "Phase Two" remains unclear, but her manipulation got Homelander dangerously close to ultimate power.
Soldier Boy Returns From the Ice
The Season 4 post-credits scene revealed that Soldier Boy had been cryogenically frozen. His inevitable thawing – and Ackles' confirmed return – sets up what fans have been demanding since Season 3: a proper showdown between America's original superhero and his twisted successor.
The Team Captured, Ryan's Fate Unknown
The Boys themselves ended Season 4 captured by Vought soldiers, while Homelander's son Ryan's whereabouts remain uncertain. Add in Frenchie's apparent brainwashing and A-Train's mysterious disappearance, and there are plenty of loose threads to tie up.
When Will Season 5 Premiere?
While no official release date has been announced, all signs point to a
mid-2026 premiere. Karl Urban confirmed this timeline in a 2024 social media post telling fans he'd "see you in two years".
The production timeline supports this:
- Filming began November 25, 2024
- Production wrapped July 1, 2025
- Early footage screened at San Diego Comic-Con 2025
- Post-production is currently underway
Given that Gen V Season 2 just concluded with a finale that directly sets up The Boys' final battle, and with The Boys: Mexico spin-off in development, Prime Video appears to be spacing out its releases strategically.
The Grand Finale Fans Deserve
Eric Kripke has been clear that ending the series was always the plan, and he's grateful it's happening on their terms rather than through cancellation. "To the fans: thanks for watching, can't wait for you to see the grand finale," he wrote in his wrap announcement.
With Ackles' disturbing scene tease, Soldier Boy's return, Butcher's villainous turn, and Homelander's army poised for a final confrontation, Season 5 is shaping up to be exactly what fans hoped for – a no-holds-barred, bloody, shocking conclusion to one of television's most fearless shows.
As Kripke promised:
"That's a wrap."
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