The Boys Season 5 Finally Reveals Butcher’s Forehead Scar Origin — Even Karl Urban Wanted It Left Enigmatic
Brace for the end: the fifth and final season arrives in 2026.
File this under long time coming: The Boys is finally going to tell us how Billy Butcher got that gnarly forehead scar. Yes, season 5 is digging into the origin story of the most debated inch of skin on TV. I kind of liked the mystery, but Karl Urban is out here confirming the truth is on the way.
The scar story is happening
"Personally, I would actually love to keep that a bit enigmatic," Urban told the crowd at MCM London. "But, season 5, you are going to find out the origin of Butcher's scar. That is one spoiler I will tell you - so I can't divulge it in this room, but you are going to find out!"
So that is that. We are getting the answer, whether we deserve it or not.
Where season 5 picks up
No official synopsis yet, but the show is lining up its dominos. Season 5 follows the events of Gen V season 2, and it also builds directly off The Boys season 4's chaos-soaked finale. In that last episode, Butcher straight-up murdered multiple people and ran off with the Supe-killing virus. That pretty strongly hints he might tilt even further into villain territory, with his Homelander obsession clearly pushing him past the point of no return.
Meanwhile, Homelander has muscled his way to the top of the political food chain. Thanks to Sage maneuvering the declaration of Martial Law, he is effectively in charge at the White House now. And do not forget the post-credits tag: Soldier Boy is on ice, literally, locked away cryogenically. That will matter.
Who is back
- Karl Urban as Billy Butcher
- Jack Quaid as Hughie
- Erin Moriarty as Starlight
- Laz Alonso as Mother's Milk
- Karen Fukuhara as Kimiko
- Tomer Capone as Frenchie
- Antony Starr as Homelander
The final stretch means no one is safe
Creator Eric Kripke has already said, in so many words, that the safety nets are off for the last season. Because there is no next year to worry about, the writers can swing harder and let major characters fall. Translation: do not get attached to anyone's plot armor.
When you will see it
Season 5 is the endgame and is set to arrive in 2026. Between Butcher's scar reveal, Homelander playing president-adjacent, and a literal Soldier Boy popsicle waiting to thaw, there is a lot loaded into this last rampage.