Fans have been wondering if Karl Urban has left The Boys. Many also want to know why his character, Billy Butcher, is leaving the team. In Urban’s case, it’s probably due to his recent conspicuous absence from promotional events, including the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) event where his co-stars are confirmed to be in attendance. For Butcher, it’s due to the final scene of The Boys season 4 finale, which saw him leave the team and begin his path of revenge against all things Superman.
So, did Karl Urban leave The Boys? Why did Billy Butcher leave The Boys? We’ll answer both questions here.
Did Karl Urban leave The Boys after Season 4?
No, Karl Urban hasn’t left The Boys after season four.
Karl Urban will reprise his role as Billy Butcher in season 5. The actor also revealed when fans can expect to see season 5, confirming the expected release date of 2026 on Instagram, where he also stated that he hopes season 5, the final season, will be released sooner.
Eric Kripke told Variety that filming on The Boys season 5 will begin in November 2024 and run until mid-2025.
Why is Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher leaving The Boys?
Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher leaves The Boys to carry out an evil plan using a super virus, possibly a super genocide.
The Boys season 4 finale finds Butcher finally losing his patience and succumbing to the evil influence of a parasitic tumor in his brain, which manifests as an evil hallucination of Butcher’s deceased former comrade, Joe Kessler. Butcher loses his patience after witnessing Ryan cold-bloodedly and impulsively murder Grace Mallory.
After succumbing to the tumor’s evil influence, Butcher regains control of his new tentacle abilities, and he uses these to murder Victoria Newman, despite the anguished pleas of Hughie, who recently agreed to help stop Homelander. Butcher then wrestles the virus from The Boys’ hands, and before he leaves them, he indirectly warns them to flee. Butcher then runs off to parts unknown to carry out his plan to genocide Superman.
Therefore, fans can expect to see a fully villainous Butcher in season 5 who will not only be battling Homelander but also The Boys.
