WARNING: MAJOR spoilers fromThe Boysseason 4 finale!
Summary
Black Noir and Black Noir II actor Nathan Mitchell shares his experience taking on a new role withinThe Boysseason 4. While Black Noir met his fate inThe Boysseason 3, Vought couldn’t allow the world to know how the long-time member of The Seven fell and had to take steps to prevent such a reveal. It didn’t take long forThe Boysseason 4 to solve their Black Noir situation in perfect Vought fashion.
While Mitchell is back in the suit, Black Noir II is the complete opposite of the original hero. As established throughoutThe Boysseason 4, Vought hired an actor to fill Black Noir’s void, making it an actual acting gig, but one where he can’t talk or express emotions. By the end ofThe Boysseason 4, Black Noir II has fallen more and more under the influence of The Seven, discovering the dark secrets within the superhero team.
The Boys: Every Member Of The Seven Who Lives & Dies By The End of The Series
In The Boys' original comic not every member of The Seven lives to the ending of the story. But which supes live, who dies, and how are they killed?
WithThe Boysseason 4 officially over,Screen Rantinterviewed Mitchell about starting his new chapter within the show after playing the first Black Noir for three seasons. Throughout the interview, Mitchell opened up about getting to unmask on screen, whether or not Black Noir II is beyond redemption, and might befallThe Boysseason 5. Mitchell also reflects onThe Boys’influence on the superhero genre in Hollywood, and whether he would want to take on a DC or Marvel role in the future.
Nathan Mitchell Breaks Down New Black Noir Chapter InThe BoysSeason 4
Screen Rant: Starting out with Black Noir II, I’m obsessed with him. I love the fact you finally get to talk, can you take me back to the moment where you learned that,‘Okay, I’m coming back this season but, I will talk, I will actually have dialogue this season.’
Nathan Mitchell: I had a conversation with Eric [Kripke,] and he said, ‘I have some good and bad news.’ I was like, ‘Alright, give me the bad news,’ and he said, ‘Black Noir is going to die.’ My heart dropped, he said, ‘The good news is you’re coming back and you will have the opportunity to play a new version of Black Noir.’ It was funny because he gave me the choice of unmasking as the original Black Noir, or unmasking as new Noir.
At first, I wanted to go down with the character, even though I knew he was going to die, I’ve felt so connected to him. He’s been so important to me that I wanted to see that role through. I realized it was smarter and a better idea to play new Noir. So, while I mourned the original Black Noir, when I really took a second to think about the possibilities of an actor trying to play this role with no direction, no guidance. I was super excited [for] just the comedy we’d have a chance to play in, the avenues we’d explore, I couldn’t wait.
When you finally did get to unmask the season, was it a bit unnerving at the same time? Because we finally get to that moment, in one shape or form, even if it’s not the original Black Noir, but the fact that we’re in a context where any Black Noir finally has removed his helmet.
Nathan Mitchell: I think as an actor, whenever you’re joining a show, there’s an adjustment period of figuring out the tone, the pacing, the style and the vibe of it. That was kind of my experience when we shot the scene with my mask off for the first time because even though I’ve been on the show, it is a new thing that I’m doing for myself. I’m trying to think of the right word, but it was a new experience for me, and there’s a feeling of an adjustment process. thankfully, it went well, and I hope I get to do that a lot more.
Has Black Noir II Succumbed To The Seven’s Corruption?
We see in the final episode that he’s giving into the murder side of Black Noir. Would you say he’s beyond redemption at this point, as we go into season 5 or if he’s going to debate, ‘I am either sticking with this, or I have to stop before it gets worse?’
Nathan Mitchell: That’s a good question. I think with Noir II, I think he’s pretty committed to his role. I think that’s going to bring up different conflicts as time goes on. But for now, he’s a member of The Seven and he’s also a committed actor, and being a committed actor and a member of The Seven requires killing people. So does he have a moment where he sees the light? I don’t know. Maybe for him that is the light. We’ll have to see, so I don’t know. But I know that the one thing that hasn’t changed is that he’s committed to doing the best job he can in this role.
So basically, you’re saying that he’s a method actor, so to speak?
Nathan Mitchell: If he was method, he would speak much less! But he’s committed!
Taking A Departure FromThe BoysComics With Black Noir
I know Eric had talked about the whole Black Noir twist fromThe Boyscomics where you find out that he’s a Homelander clone, and how that’s not something that’s going to happen in the series. But were there any talks ever in the past seasons between you and Eric, about maybe approaching that storyline?
Nathan Mitchell: Yeah, I had a question about it at the beginning before we shot season 1, I asked him about that potential and that possibility, and very quickly, he was like, ‘Yeah, we’re not doing that.’ So I did know that we were not going to go down that path, because it took away from Homelander’s arc as a villain and the significance of his actions. I also want to say, as a comic book fan, myself, I understand the desire to see what’s on the page on the screen.
I know there are people who really wanted to see comic book Black Noir, and I get that, I understand that. For me, all I can do is the best I can with the job I’m given and I’m really happy that I get the opportunity and that Eric has given me this opportunity to play new Black Noir, and to be a part of the show in this way. Because this show’s a dream come true and I’m so happy that I get the chance to act and show my face. Yeah, comic Noir is great, [but] for the show, we’re going in a different direction.
Black Noir II’s Journey InThe BoysSeason 5
I knowThe Boysseason 5 hasn’t started filming yet, but have you talked to Eric about next season? Do you know a little more where Black Noir II is going in the final season?
Nathan Mitchell: Yeah… I have some inklings!
Anything you can tease for the people out there?
Nathan Mitchell: There’s so much I can tease, I’m just not going to because I can’t!
Reacting To That Black Noir-Like Character In James Gunn’sSuperman
Last week, there was a lot of chatter about this on Twitter/X, you reacted to the Black Noir-like figure inJames Gunn’sSuperman. Was it a weird thing to see and go,‘Wait a minute, that looks very much like what I do!’
Nathan Mitchell: It was so cool, I was so surprised. I was like, “Wow, are they doing a version of Black Noir in this film?' and again, I don’t fully know what they’re planning. If I were to guess, I would say it’s a version of Black Noir in this shot that we’ve seen.
My take on it is, if you’re gonna make a case for Superman in 2025, you have to make a case for him in the context of the current superhero landscape. That superhero landscape includes The Boys and The Seven, so I think it’s really smart to compare and contrast and make a case for Superman in a world where a team like The Seven might exist. I don’t know for sure, but my guess is, perhaps they’re doing something like that, and I’m really honored by the possibility that Black Noir could have been an inspiration of a character in a Superman movie.
Potentially Joining DC Or Marvel AfterThe Boys
You’ve been in this genre for several years now, if you were given the chance to jump into any other superhero universes, would you want to take that chance? If so, where would you lean more into, DC or Marvel? Because I would love to see you still being part of the comic book genre.
Nathan Mitchell: I would love that too, and I would say in regards to that. I’m open to anything. For me, the most important pieces are the character and the direction they want to go in and the story they want to tell. I think that’s the thing I look at, above anything else, so anyone who wants to invite me into their world and to play, I’m more than happy to do that.
Do you have a dream role as a comic book fan yourself?
Nathan Mitchell: It’s crazy because I remember when Man of Steel came out, I remember the press release, and I was like, ‘Oh, it would be so cool to get to play a superhero, but I’m not gonna get to play a superhero.’ And now I am playing a superhero!. One that has not been portrayed before on screen, and that’s a dream come true? I’m trying to think of someone we haven’t seen yet, what do we have… Black Lightning [and] a hero I love is Aqualad - age-wise. I don’t know if that necessarily lines up.
Kaldur’ahm could be grown up at this point, it’s always possible!
Nathan Mitchell: You are right, Kaldur’ahm could be grown up, he’s a such a fantastic character and I really admire that character. But those are two that come to mind off the top of my head. We’re in a world where The Boys is created or brought to the screen, we’re seeing new heroes that we’ve never seen before and I’d also love to leave the door open to that.
What Is Coming Up InGinny & GeorgiaSeasons 3 & 4
If there’s anything you could say about it because I love you in another show that is very special and dear to my heart, which isGinny & Georgia, Zion is my dude, and I know you guys are filming season three right now. So, can you give me any nuggets about where you guys are at and anything you could tease about the season?
Nathan Mitchell: I wish I could tell you, I don’t know what I’m allowed to say. What I can say is season 3 is going to be bonkers! I have some great tea that I’m not allowed to spill. But they’re going to get whiplash from how much their heads are turning back and forth from surprise It’s a great season that G&G has in store for everyone, and I can’t wait for them to see it.
Are you guys shooting seasons 3 and 4 back-to-back?
Nathan Mitchell: We’re going to take some time [after season 3.] Luckily, I think The Boys is going to start filming soon, but we will have wrapped up [Ginny & Georgia] season 3 by the time [we start The Boys season 5]. Then we’ll take some time, and then next year, we’ll get into it.
The Beginning Of The End, AKAThe BoysSeason 5
As we head into the final season ofThe Boys, how are you at with the end, emotionally, of entering the final season and getting to wrap this all up after five amazing years?
Nathan Mitchell: No, it hasn’t hit me yet. But there’s some sadness, and also an appreciation that we’re telling a good story and we’re going out on our terms at the time we feel is right, and not dragging something out to where it loses steam, and people are like, ‘Oh, they used to be something that we wanted to watch, but now we’re so-so about it.’ you know?
A show I love is Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon and it’s only three seasons, but every time you go back into that world, you love being there. I think that offering the world just a concise five-season show that we end at the time that’s right is appropriate, and so I’m appreciative of that. While it probably will be sad once we get to that point, right now, I’m just looking forward to seeing everybody on set again and knowing that just because the show ends, we don’t have to stop being in each other’s lives and we can continue being a family and the show’s going to go live on forever.
AboutThe BoysSeason 4
The world is on the brink. Victoria Neuman is closer than ever to the Oval Office and under the muscly thumb of Homelander, who is consolidating his power. Butcher, with only months to live, has lost Becca’s son as well as his job as The Boys’ leader. The rest of the team are fed up with his lies. With the stakes higher than ever, they have to find a way to work together and save the world before it’s too late.
The Boys
Cast
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
