When The Boys premiered on Prime Video in 2019, it was a gamble. The ultra-violent, satirical superhero series, based on the graphic novels by Garth Ennis and Darrick Robertson, was unlike anything else on TV. But for Jessie T. Usher, who plays the speedster A-Train, the fear wasn't just that the show might flop—it was that it might succeed in all the wrong ways.
Speaking at FanX in Salt Lake City, Usher revealed to Collider's Steven Weintraub that he initially believed the show's outrageous content would be the end of his Hollywood journey. "At first, though, I thought as soon as people saw the show, I'd never work in Hollywood again," he admitted. The actor, who had previously appeared in Independence Day: Resurgence and Ride, worried that the show's shocking scenes—like A-Train's accidental murder of a woman by running through her—would be too much for audiences and industry insiders alike.
But the opposite happened. The Boys became a global phenomenon, running for five seasons and spawning a spin-off, Gen V. Usher's career skyrocketed, leading to roles in Netflix's Pulse and the horror hit Smile. The show's success, he explained, came down to its relatability. "The whole point of the show is that these characters do really bizarre things, but then we try to justify them in ways that make sense to folks," he said. "As far-fetched as the idea may seem—obviously we amplified these things and set them in a world that's out of this world and very bizarre and crazy—at its core, a lot of people can relate to the decision-making these characters make, to a certain extent."
Usher's co-star Chace Crawford, who played The Deep, shared similar fears. The Deep, a cowardly and often pathetic member of The Seven, became a meme machine, especially after his infamous encounter with an octopus. Crawford told Weintraub, "I guess [I was surprised] too. I thought the audience reaction was going to be, potentially, much worse. But they were just like, 'You slept with that octopus.'"
The show's creator, Eric Kripke, known for his work on Supernatural, brought a unique vision to the series, blending dark humor with social commentary. He even reunited with Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles, who played Soldier Boy in later seasons. The show's ability to balance absurdity with genuine character moments kept viewers hooked, even as the final season divided some fans.
While The Boys Season 5 earned a strong 92% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it received a Rotten 48% audience score, the lowest of the series. Yet that didn't stop viewers from tuning in, as the show remained in Prime Video's top 10 for weeks after its finale. The mixed fan reaction may stem from the show's darker turn, but it didn't diminish its cultural impact.
For Usher, the journey from fearing career ruin to becoming a sought-after star is a testament to the show's success. He's now part of a franchise that has redefined the superhero genre, and he's grateful for the ride. "After the show found its voice, the reaction started to make sense," he said.
All five seasons of The Boys are streaming on Prime Video. For more on the franchise, check out our coverage of Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood hitting Prime Video and Netflix's Hollywood Arts.
