How Antony Starr Became HOMELANDER: from Xena to Banshee to The Boys

[@AustinBlairDrums]

His role as Homelander is literally the best acting I've ever seen. He says sooo much without even talking. Best performance of almost any actor.

[@wrestlinginfodude2644]

Very great performance indeed but there are many better performances out there

[@DS94everXev]

Yeah. His smile is amazing. It looks evil. At every moment in every scene with everybody, I feel that he will kill whomever is around. And everybody around him feels that he will. Imagine being him though. Where everybody is afraid of you. What would that do to you? I mean from the moment of his birth everybody who has known him is fearful of him. That would really have an impact on your emotional state. You'd never know what love is. Your entire existence is one where people are scared you will kill them. So how long till you will just accept this and make it true?

[@DS94everXev]

​@@wrestlinginfodude2644Sure. Neegan in Walking Dead. But nothing that is current now.

[@trj.jr0091]

He’s great but go watch Tony Soprano

[@DS94everXev]

@@trj.jr0091 Boring. Most overrated show ever.

[@tahmeedansari4226]

This "Superhero" puts most supervillains in fiction to shame

[@guywglasses3910]

I think that's the beauty. He's like a anti-villain masquerading as a hero.

[@pizzaparkerhotdogmaguire3225]

Especially DC CW trash shows. Like Supergirl and Flash villains

[@burhanbudak6041]

Anthony Starr is a real human, he was a great support during the 2023 earthquake.

[@robrobusa]

I really want him to do a breaking bad - basically a reverse of the role he is known for and play someone who is unknown, a bit of a loser who has a heart of gold and loves helping people just for the reward of seeing them happy. That'd be cool to see. Just a 180 turn of Homelander

[@ciri_riannon235]

Antony Starr deserves a Golden Globe and one day he definitely will win an Oscar, he just needs to act in a great movie cos his talent as INSANE

[@shawnstone101]

Cast Anthony Starr for Dr.Doom already

[@DanielMusicFeed]

Hell no, screw Marvel and their ''quantity over quality'' mentality from the past 5 years. Leave Anthony Starr from all that superhero shit so that we can remember him as the best superhero-villain ever, the one and only Homelander. He's too good to become a part of the corrupted, woke company that Marvel has become. To be honest I hope to never see Anthony Starr in any superhero movie/series ever again with the exception of The Boys universe because there's nowhere better to go from his role as Homelander. He's perfect, the show's perfect and I'm pretty sure he knows better than to go and sign with Marvel or DC.

[@Brwinka]

bro the whole point of The Boys is to pick at Marvel and DC because of shit writing

[@boogiedaddy3434]

Banshee was such a great show. I'm honestly surprised it didn't get more praise.

[@rbarnett3200]

Holy shit! He WAS the main character in Banshee! How the hell did I not see this before?! Man, this guy is one of the greatest actors ever! He was legendary in Banshee and legendary as Homelander! I can’t believe this has only just been revealed to me! Give this man an award! Shit, give this man all the awards possible!

[@MrBfiguero]

Love Banshee. On paper it should be gratuitous trash but they took the model for post-Richard Armitage Strike Back and ran with it. So many good characters.

[@BengalCatChilli]

It's so good. It's over the top and campy and that's why it's so good. It leans into the insanity, in a good way. It's a must watch imo.

[@jasonbouracee8687]

favorite show ever. Love how complex all the characters are. especially Proctor. Anthony Starr killed it

[@BengalCatChilli]

@@jasonbouracee8687 proctor is my favorite character too I think.

[@legoqueen2445]

His jaw line and facial muscle control adds so much nuance to Homelander. He is incredible!

[@jasonmarshall7572]

There's emotional switches he does so well that he gets your guards down and makes it hard to tell which character is he good, evil or just a sad victim needing love and guidance. He plays his parts so well. As an actor your first part of training is infront of the mirror practicing expressions and emotions. He's top of the class at that one as you said you could actually see and feel him about to explode in rage yet he keeps it in. Something many actors even some of the best struggle with. Also crying on demand can be a hard thing to do as well. As an actor you have to place your emotions on some sad or tragic event in your life like when your dog died how did you feel just to bring those emotions back up front for all to see for the scene. Not easy work at all.

[@richardhart9204]

" ... hands in the air, like you just don't care." They should give Mr Starr an Emmy, a Golden Globe ... and an Oscar.

[@julius-stark]

This man must have the strongest spine in the world, because he is carrying the entire Boys show on his back.

[@theconstitarian]

I love the Boys and really enjoyed Banshee, but before this video I had no idea that was the same actor.

[@TheBackFocus]

neither did my mom

[@gingerkid1048]

Don’t feel bad. My husband did a series with Antony then worked on s1 without realizing it was the same guy.

[@THEchiQ]

I love your Kiwi eccent. It’s worse than Karl’s cockney accent. It’s funny. We have a lot of great actors and film makers out there, but for something as big as The Boys to star two Kiwis is pretty mind-blowing. There aren’t that many Kiwis in the world, after all.

[@DamianSzajnowski]

They are yummy! Got one on my kitchen counter.

[@hackerman5207]

​@@DamianSzajnowskiBruh

[@NACHOMAN_SAVAGE]

He is an incredible actor, and keeps me watching the show, but man he plays this role like no other

[@RedShogun13]

I’ve said it once I’ll say it again. As a millennial who grew up on not just millennial but boomer gen works via my older relatives. Antony Starr’s performance as Homelander is the greatest acting performance of this generation. Closest mainstream performance equivalent to a Pacino or Deniro level acting masterclass. Without a doubt generational imo. At the very least of the decade. Hope if he wants it that Hollywood offers him a big movie offer. As an actor he’s an absolute craftsman.

[@Thomasfoolery69]

Anthony stars teeth make it look like he has fangs

[@lucasmyers57]

I can't unsee this now. Lol

[@andraclark9993]

What do yours look like.

[@Thomasfoolery69]

@@andraclark9993 I don't have pronounced canines, mine are flaccid and only become strong enough to chew when I eat

[@gingerkid1048]

It should say something that my husband worked with Antony for the full run of American Gothic-he was really cool on set & the SFX boys really liked him. He hung out a bit with them in down time. A while after that Hubby took a few days on season one of The Boys when he was between being permanently on a show. He worked on the scene of Homelander attacking the terrorists & the explosion of the supe terrorist. It was not until the show came out & we watched it that he realized Homelander was Antony from AG. The performance was so good as Homelander he wanted to see what he’d done before only to realize that he had worked with him for months & had casual acquaintance with then had worked with him again for a week without it clicking. That’s how different the performances/physicalities were.

[@Shawnimal]

Xena was a little silly, in a Sam Raimi way, but it was mostly awesomesauce.

[@TheBackFocus]

Totally agree. Kenny watched both Xena and Hercules a lot as a kid.

[@Redeemed]

@@TheBackFocus Pity Hercules turned out to be such an ass

[@leroilapue15]

@@Redeemed how so? The guy has been dropping truth bombs for years and isn't a woke moron at all

[@AntiLifeEquation1]

​@Redeemed Well I like Sorbo but he did destroy Andromeda with his meddling.

[@KrytoRift]

Yes

[@blazostark9347]

Anthony just needs a lead or supporting role in a Chris Nolan movie and The Oscar is his.

[@JadusMoltriel]

OMG!!! I KNEW I recognized Homelander! He played HOOD?? Banshee was an absolute masterpiece (which I watched while serving a 10 year prison sentence for sending my abusive father to his grave via baseball bat), and I was in love with Hood and his actor. The writing and the acting were exceptional. I never would have guessed he's also Homelander, but if anything would've clued me in, it's those unique facial expressions of his. He speaks hundreds of words without making a vocal SOUND. Wow. Now I have a whole new appreciate for The Boys, because I am such a Banshee fan. The last season was actually the first thing I watched when I was released 8 months ago (we never got the final season in prison. Guess our Superintendant felt Antony was too hot to continue playing in female prison, lol. We ALL crushed on him.) Well, thanks for this lovely dive into his history. I enjoyed it. :-)

[@TheBackFocus]

Wild. Thanks for sharing!

[@ellemueller]

Congratulations on 10 months out!

[@JadusMoltriel]

@@ellemueller 12 months, now! But thank you!

[@thejustinjustin1233]

Best actor on television it’s not even close. Say what you will about the boys and the decline, homelander keeps me watching and disturbed at the same time. His character has so many layers of intrigue into his mind.

[@asheriko26]

His best work was Banshee. One of the best shows ever. Especially the first 3 seasons.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I have not seen a performance like this since Bale in American Psycho.

[@Belbecat]

I'm glad you had that disclaimer at the start - as a kiwi listening to these accents has me rolling on the floor 🤣

[@ripburndofferson1405]

I love that this channel is coming back with new videos. I still get emotional remembering watching the video about Vincent Schiavelli. But yeah, I love this show.

[@Chellebelle121]

Dude scares the shite out of me. For real. Every episode I think wow, there’s no freaking way they can top this….and then they TOTALLY top the previous episode. Insanely so, too. Over and over, lol. Phenomenal actor, and I never noticed the cape thing, but you’re so right!

[@andraclark9993]

Stop being scared.

[@fightcinema3917]

Lucas Hood also from Banshee is a multidimensional character thats one of the best written protagonists of all time like daredevil

[@bravocado]

This was an immensely entertaining video, dude. My hats off to you.

[@TheBackFocus]

Thanks man!

[@citronm1405]

Thumbs up and a comment for the Paul Mooney clip! This was a great overview of Antony Starr's career!

[@wsjustice]

The guy playing the giant on that Xena episode looked and sounded like Peyton Manning.

[@drnotes630]

I had this exact same thought!

[@SpongeBobaFett]

Love the over the top accents. I'm glad to see you're having fun making these and I'm so happy to see you're making consistent content again since your hiatus after the "no small parts" days which seem like a lifetime ago. Cheers mate

[@greend3483]

Na he knows what he's doing

[@Liz-cmc313]

He's perfect as Homelander. No one can replace him.

[@pot4lyf225]

the whole reason for me watching the boys is to study homelander

[@samanthacristinaburgosmera4160]

Homelander was indeed the only reason on how I met the Boys

[@platinumspike9578]

Starr with a buzz cut looks remarkably like Stephen Amell from the first couple seasons of Arrow.

[@Jakeyisdead]

I haven't gotten past the disclaimer at the start yet but as an Australian I give you full licence to do our accent poorly ❤

[@TheBackFocus]

I’m considering you an ambassador for your nation and you’ve given me cart blanche to continue my destructive ways

[@theticksquad8218]

I don't know, maybe its because I root for the bad guys but I hope homelander just kicks ass.

[@B_Estes_Undegöetz]

Great character made real, perfectly real, by this actor. Revealing the essential lie at the core of the myth of the aristocrat, Anthony Starr shows us what a vain, narcissistic, petty, common, brutal, and savage self indulgence is wrapped up in a just slightly above average looking package when you consider the reality of everyone who ever has claimed “Uber” status throughout history. All that power … and he’s just … a common ‘roid raging thug able to indulge every one of the darkest whims anyone ever dreamed of. He does this well conceived and written character perfectly; what “Superman” would really be like; what all our mythical a$$holes who make such grand claims for themselves are always like when you get up close to them. Well done. Thanks for the video. One of the best characters on TV right now.

[@kudorgyozo]

He carries the show 100%

[@knaz7468]

Good video, I agree Homelander IS the main reason for The Boys success. Xena launched a ton of careers.

[@TheBackFocus]

Re: Homelander, I think that’s becoming clearer with every episode. As goofy as the show is, it’s kind of devolved into a loud trainwreck

[@nem447]

Anthony Starr....cursed with resting homicidal face!🤪

[@Lillian.Gao.]

Hahah I watched him on Xena in real time!!! I was just a little girl … man I could never have predicted his pretty boy David went on to be THE Homelander

[@PonyStark69]

The way this man can smile but still look dead behind the eyes is unnatural

[@okamifang4059]

Great video and I'm following the channel. Xena is not silly tho. It's a deep dive from beginning to end on redemption. It's incredibly deep even though there is silliness in it

[@smcampanella04]

Banshee is great, a hidden gem.

[@Kevin-we7ez]

I started to watch The Boys just because of Antony 😂

[@Hydrostream1972]

Started watching. . Banshee Show. Good stuff.

[@bluethieves]

Love the Norm voice and the talk show insert - excellent work per usual!

[@sadmermaid]

Oh snap i forgot how good outrageous fortune was

[@RoyaltyFreeVideoClips]

I remember Karl Urban on Shortland Street, he would do this one thing in every episode where was surprised about something

[@liviaeve]

you almost lost me when u said Xena was mostly eyecandy....It was 90s gold. Good video otherwise

[@mriguana_chad]

Antony as reverse flash would be the cooledt shit ever

[@kylacaspersen]

What...the...hell! I love Xena and have watched it inside out multiple times. I did not recognize Antony then. Wow. He's one hell of an actor, and Homelander is one of my favorite characters ever. :)

[@theaceofspades485]

Everytime Homelander starts to get on edge about anything I feel like everyone in else in the room with him. Very uneasy.

[@damianstarks3338]

Anthony Starr is a revelation

[@MrAtncc1701]

Been watching you since the beginning, Brandon, you rock! No small parts was masterful. You are so talented and funny and you edit footage like the pro you are. This is high quality stuff. Amazing job!

[@TheBackFocus]

Thanks man! One correction: my partner Kenny does most of the editing on these. He’s phenomenal.

[@zanedoellman5016]

i love ur energy man. good video

[@johnmeyer8078]

The Indian is the motorcycle

[@TheBackFocus]

Yeah I worked that out, but I still wanted to make the joke

[@SpongeBobaFett]

Glad someone else pointed that out, but you gotta love some good race-baiting

[@BloodylocksBathory]

*There are no more barriers to cross. All I have in common with the uncontrollable and the insane, the vicious and the evil, all the mayhem I have caused and my utter indifference toward it I have now surpassed. My pain is constant and sharp, and I do not hope for a better world for anyone. In fact, I want my pain to be inflicted on others. I want no one to escape. But even after admitting this, there is no catharsis; my punishment continues to elude me, and I gain no deeper knowledge of myself. No new knowledge can be extracted from my telling. This confession has meant nothing.*

[@brandonjones8059]

Banshee was 🔥

[@culwin]

You guys pumping these out faster than I can watch them. Still catching up. Good stuff though.

[@Pharry_]

why does young Antony Starr look vaguely like John Mulaney in his 30s

[@-straenbegleitgrun-6499]

He and Karl Urban are so good combo it's unreal

[@JadyLester]

omg it's true Karl Urban is just "the guy." When I first saw Eomir I thought he was a high school jock who wandered into a LARP and became their king.

[@lucasmyers57]

Fun fact: he never wanted the role of Homlander. He tried to botch his audition tape but ended up getting for said reason.

[@TheBackFocus]

Source? I read that he put off auditioning for it, but never came across him saying that he deliberately botched the audition

[@mikewritz]

He reminds me so much of Wedding Crashers Bradley Cooper in most of those old roles he had.

[@smokejc]

now I need to watch The Boys

[@klaumbazswampdorf1764]

Your talking about a "super hero" show, and dissing another fantasy show? It's all Nerd TV. We love it all, even the "bad" stuff you don't appreciate. .

[@TheBackFocus]

Xena and Hercules are good silly shows. Nothing wrong with that!

[@wanderingtravellerAB99]

Dude as a dual kiwi / aus citizen I love your trigger warning, fkn classic.

[@11KSH11]

Great vid...i had to learn about dude n how he is able to play this character

[@etcarief]

Bro is like RDJ & Hugh Jackman

[@HarpreetSingh-nw2qx]

I think he could play younger Walter Heisenberg white

[@camd0407]

Great video!

[@thielnineteen]

I loved Xena when I was a kid. I knew that Karl Urban (Butcher) played several (hilarious) characters in Xena, but had no idea that Anthony was. ....edit: I made this comment before I finished the video. I see now that you mentioned Karl..😅

[@richardbwillmon6424]

I definitely put him up there with Denzel, Will Smith, Deniro, a few others

[@flupetepak]

Till a minute ago I thought he was the guy from the first Underworld movie, Scott Speedman. 😄

[@BURP39R]

Glad to hear Anthony was South African

[@gillster3744]

He would be Amazing as Vince McMahon just Saying.

[@Jacquobite]

"stretch" must be the most kiwi word

[@TheBackFocus]

I really liked the way Antony says the word "miracle." It's like... two syllables. Meercull. Meyacool. Something about it.

[@kagirion]

He is a damn fine actor. Imma give The Boys another go. I was pretty turned off somewhere in season 3 where it felt a bit...dull and repetitive. Ha, go Kiwis!

[@nicholascharles9625]

I loved him in outrageous fortune

[@beeochg4]

Sounds like he’s saying “Ant-Honey” every time 😂

[@HearTheLarkAndHarken]

Yo an anti-smoking ad popped up during this where Munter was kicking a giant pack of ciggies and telling me not to smoke 🤣

[@andersonrusnell3102]

I will alaways remember the Boys episode in season one when he lets the plane crash into the ocean, so evil it made me sick and I wanted to stop watching the Boys but I didn't.

[@Maxoule22]

Homelander is hated ?

[@WhoDeanyUnchained]

Every season this mofo Antony Starr DELIVERS. He doesn't miss!

[@waleedsharif618]

Best actor ever !

[@jopalm3649]

6:35 so he played Michael and Gob Bluth in New Zealindish Arrested Development?😅

[@mystic48209]

Just focus on how the actor came to be at this point. He is good.

[@almanediligence9505]

Homelander reminds me of General from the movie "A Few Good Men". M

[@AntiLifeEquation1]

Xena was campy and quite serious at times and very popular....dont hate.

[@vinsanity40k]

i remember a young karl urban being on xena, but not antony starr. 😄

[@rhibro93]

Everything your mum said is spot on

[@JusDarkSage]

Ngl I love him in banshee as Hood.

[@jarlhenrik]

Antony is probably the face of The Boys because in the Homelander persona he exemplifies "'Murica!" while ironically being a kiwi. Blonde, blue eyed and starspangled is very marketable to shareholders with reluctant purses. They could have done the same with Erin Moriarty, though unfortunately part of her character is being sexualized a lot, and Moriartys recent plastic surgery did not do her looks any favor for marketing. Starr looks hale and healthy. She's more along the lines of anemic. I for one blame the "ghoulface" trend of sucking fat from the cheeks to highlight the cheekbones -.-

[@72ve17]

no the writer makes him great - he has no enemy who has the same strength as him that makes him so boring - his team and another super villain team would be better fighting each other and super media with strength who could put them to shame and makes the people hates them so the writer will have no favoritism

[@vash47]

trump fans melting down in the comments over a shitty trump joke is the best part

[@NovelPhoinixTheSecond]

Yea xD

[@samlung2724]

Homelander is a villan?!?.!

[@aiapihud4344]

the main villain, infact

[@BlazingOwnager]

3:10 They decided that the Abrahamic religions showed up and laid waste to all the old gods in the final seasons back in the day..

[@leighsavage7719]

Xena is very good for what it is.