The final season of Prime Video‘s hit series The Boys started with a shocking moment that left fans talking. A-Train, played by Jessie T. Usher, met his end at the hands of Homelander (Antony Starr) in the season 5 premiere episode titled “Fifteen Inches of Sheer Dynamite.” The showrunner Eric Kripke initially did not want to kill off the character so early. He had to be convinced by his own writing team to go through with it.
The death scene happens after A-Train helps break Hughie (Jack Quaid) and other members of The Boys out of a Freedom Camp. Homelander chases him down. But instead of running through an innocent woman like he did in the very first episode of the series, A-Train swerves to avoid her. This causes him to trip and get caught. Homelander then snaps his neck.
The Writers Pushed Kripke to Drop a Major Character in the First Episode
Eric Kripke admitted in multiple interviews that he was scared to kill A-Train so soon. He had plans to keep the character around for at least three episodes. The original idea was to have A-Train die in episode three, not the premiere.
I was initially resistant to killing him off that early. It was a little scary to kill him off so soon. We had actually broken out an alternate storyline that was like: Where is he now, what is he doing, and how can he help The Boys? – Eric Kripke to The Hollywood Reporter
The writers fought back against Kripke’s hesitation. They told him he had to prove that no one was safe. If a major character died in the first episode, the audience would carry that tension for the rest of the season.
Kripke shared that the writers told him, “You keep saying that nobody is safe. Put your money where your mouth is and show that you are willing to drop a major character in the first episode.” He admitted they were right and called it a winning argument.
A-Train’s Death Created a Perfect Bookend for the Character
The way A-Train died was very important to the writers. They wanted him to go out as a hero. The character started the series by running through Hughie‘s girlfriend Robin without caring. He ended the series by saving a stranger’s life, even though it cost him his own.
The very first time you saw A-Train in the pilot, he carelessly runs through a woman. The very last time you see A-Train in the series, he very carefully dodges a woman, but that causes him to trip and costs him his life. He goes out a hero. – Eric Kripke to IGN
This choice showed how much the character had grown. A-Train went from a selfish, fame-obsessed supe to someone who finally understood what being a real hero meant. Kripke called these two moments perfect signposts for the character’s journey.
More Major Deaths Are Coming Throughout Season 5
Kripke confirmed that A-Train will not be the only major character to die this season. He had to make multiple difficult phone calls to actors telling them their characters would not make it to the end.
It was a really hard call. Not giving any spoilers away, that was not the only one of those calls I had to make this season, and they were hard every time. – Eric Kripke to Deadline
The showrunner compared telling actors they were dying to telling people they were leaving the island on Survivor. He said it was never fun because the cast and crew have become like family over the years.
Jessie T. Usher Found His Character’s Ending Poetic
Jessie T. Usher knew about his character’s fate long before filming began. He had a conversation with Kripke during season 4 where he asked what the plan was for A-Train. At that time, the showrunner was not sure. When Usher finally got the full story, he had a lot of time to process it.
The ending was poetic. I could not have written up a better ending for him myself. – Jessie T. Usher to Entertainment Weekly
Usher said the hardest part was not the death itself but saying goodbye to the crew. He had worked with many of them since season 1. The mourning happened in those relationships, not in the script.
Also Read:
What This Means for the Rest of The Boys Season 5
The Boys season 5 is streaming now on Prime Video. New episodes drop every Wednesday. The final episode of the entire series will air on May 20, 2026.
The death of A-Train sets a clear tone for the rest of the season. No character is guaranteed to survive. Kripke and his writers have made it clear that they are willing to make bold choices. Fans should expect more shocking moments as the series comes to its end.
Also Read: Emily in Paris Season 6 Travels to Greece and Monaco for New Episodes, Production Starts May 2026
Stay updated with more breaking entertainment news and exclusive updates only on VvipTimes.
