Breaking News: The Boys Creator Abandons Original 5 Season Plan After Gen V Season 2 Renewal

Summary

The Boys creator, Eric Kripke, has learned not to predict the number of seasons a show will have, as he was surprised by the longevity of Supernatural.

The Boys and its spin-off, Gen V, adeptly weave intricate storylines, giving the franchise a polished and engaging touch that avoids the pacing problems of other miniseries.

The serialized nature of The Boys differentiates it from traditional network dramas like Supernatural, making it unlikely for the show to transition to a more self-contained format like its predecessor.

According to The Boys creator Eric Kripke, he has learned a valuable lesson about predicting the longevity of shows. He recalls a specific instance that has shifted his perspective on Gen V. While the superhero satire franchise typically consists of only eight episodes, Kripke and his team have been able to seamlessly develop the storyline. This results in an expertly crafted feel that avoids the issues seen in other miniseries that can feel dragged out. Kripke's extensive experience in television, especially his work on the long-running drama Supernatural, has contributed to his understanding of navigating the television landscape.

In an interview with Inverse, Kripke, who also serves as the executive producer of Gen V, reflected on his experience with Supernatural and admitted that he struggles with predicting the lifespan of a show. This is highlighted by the fact that Kripke stepped down as showrunner after season 5, while the series continued for 10 more seasons. Due to this unpredictable nature and the early success of Gen V, Kripke now finds himself uncertain about his original five-year plan for The Boys.

I now understand that I am truly terrible at predicting the number of seasons a show will have. I have humbly accepted this fact and have refrained from making any further predictions about the longevity of television series. The ultimate outcome will only be revealed with the benefit of hindsight.

Can A Streaming Show Even Last 15 Seasons?

Several streaming series, predominantly on Netflix, have been able to sustain multiple seasons. Notably, the comedy show "Grace & Frankie" ran for seven seasons, while early hits like "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black" lasted for six and seven seasons respectively. However, with the rise of streaming services and the subsequent increase in the number of shows available, the focus has shifted towards creating original content that can attract new subscribers. This has resulted in shorter seasons for even highly successful shows. The recent strikes by writers and ongoing negotiations with actors have aimed to refocus attention on rewarding specific successful shows.

One notable difference between shows like "The Boys" and "Gen V" compared to traditional broadcast network dramas like "Supernatural" is their greater emphasis on serialized storytelling rather than self-contained episodes. "Supernatural" may not have enjoyed its longevity if it had solely relied on a continuous storyline without the inclusion of memorable "monster-of-the-week" episodes. Similarly, "The Boys" cannot sustain its momentum if it continues to delay the much-anticipated Homelander showdown, which was initially a central premise of the show.

The renewed second season of Gen V is still fresh enough to potentially adopt a more standalone approach. Unlike Supernatural, The Boys is unlikely to shift towards less serialized seasons. This difference in storytelling methods is also a reflection of how streaming has transformed the television industry.