The struggle for power in ‘The Boys’ is not only taking place on the screen, but also behind the scenes, and not everyone is a winner.
Laz Alonso, the actor behind MM, says that his co-star Jack Quaid has been running a tradition of pitching a wild idea to showrunner Eric Kripke: making Hughie the team leader. The catch? It never works.
Laz Alonso Reveals Jack Quaid’s Ongoing Hughie Leadership Pitch
Alonso told the funny behind-the-scenes, and it is quite remarkable how Quaid is persistent, even though it never works. Quaid seemingly collects his courage and presents his case each season. The idea is straightforward: Hughie, who is frequently regarded as the emotional heart of The Boys, needs to become the leader of the group.
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“Every season, he pitches himself to Kripke and to us, ‘’You know, guys, I really think that you know, Hughie should be the leader of The Boys this season. And every season he fails miserably,” he told Polygon. Theoretically, it is not a crazy thought. Hughie has developed a lot throughout the seasons. He went from being a nervous outsider to being able to stand his ground in a harsh world.
However, as Alonso says, the answer is always the same: a polite refusal. Something human about this ritual. You can just imagine Quaid presenting his case in a hopeful manner, only to have it shot down. The retelling by Alonso introduces an element of good-natured mockery, implying that the cast is fully aware of the trend and perhaps even anticipates it every season.
Why Putting Hughie in Charge of The Boys Doesn’t Work
Although the idea of Quaid is charming, it also begs a valid question: would Hughie actually be the leader? ‘The Boys’ has always been a dynamic that has flourished on chaos and imbalance.
Characters like Billy Butcher are overpowering with sheer force of will, whereas Hughie is more of a moral compass. He is the man who reminds everyone what they are fighting.
In case you missed it: What Does Billy Butcher Mean By “Scorched Earth” In ‘The Boys’?
Making him the leader could change that balance in a manner that does not exactly fit the gritty tone of the show. That doesn’t make Quaid wrong for trying, though. On the contrary, it demonstrates his interest in Hughie’s journey.
Great moments can be created by actors who insist on their characters developing. Still, as long as Eric Kripke is at the helm, it appears that Hughie will be just where the fans want him: right in the middle of the insanity, just not in control.
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