Hold on to your capes, folks, because the future of one corner of The Boys universe is looking grim! The animated spin-off, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, might not be getting a second season, and that's a real punch to the gut for fans of the show's wild, unrestrained storytelling. But why? Let's dive into the details.
The Boys Presents: Diabolical, if you're not familiar, is an anthology series that premiered on Prime Video in 2022. It offered eight separate, bite-sized stories set within the world of The Boys, each boasting a completely different animation style. Think of it as a playground where creators could go absolutely bonkers with the established lore, exploring bizarre and often hilarious side stories. The show was a critical darling, praised for its creativity and willingness to push boundaries. It was like a concentrated dose of The Boys' signature dark humor and over-the-top violence, all wrapped up in a visually stunning package.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite the positive reception, whispers of a second season remained just that – whispers. Now, we have confirmation from none other than Eric Kripke, the mastermind behind The Boys franchise, and the news isn't what we were hoping for. In an interview with The Wrap, Kripke delivered the disappointing verdict: "I don’t think there’s going to be a Season 2 of Diabolical."
Kripke went on to explain the reasoning behind the decision. "It’s not for lack of us pushing," he clarified. "I think ultimately the viewer numbers weren’t there to justify a second season, sadly. Although, we love it and Simon [Racioppa], the showrunner, would be game to do it, but we haven’t gotten a go ahead on that.“ Essentially, despite the creative team's enthusiasm and the show's critical acclaim, Diabolical simply didn't attract a large enough audience to warrant another season in the eyes of the streaming giant. This highlights a tough reality of the entertainment industry: even the most innovative and well-received projects can fall victim to the cold, hard numbers game.
And this is the part most people miss... It's a reminder that our viewership directly impacts the content we get. So, if you want more unique animated content, make sure your views count!
So, is this the end of Diabolical? It certainly seems so, at least for now. But Kripke's comments also shed light on the broader future of The Boys universe. While Diabolical's fate hangs in the balance, other spin-offs are actively in development. The Boys: Mexico is one such project. According to Kripke, the pilot script is currently being written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, whom Kripke describes as a "wonderful writer.“ He added, "I think it’s hilarious. I hope it gets made, but [it’s] just in that development phase.”
Furthermore, a prequel series titled Vought Rising is also in the works. Described as a "twisted murder mystery" set in the 1950s, Vought Rising promises to delve into the dark secrets of Vought International's early days. Excitingly, the series will feature the return of Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy, alongside a cast of new and familiar faces, including Mason Dye as Bombsight, Will Hochman as Torpedo, Elizabeth Posey as Private Angel, and Aya Cash as Stormfront. Jorden Myrie, Nicolò Pasetti, Ricky Staffieri, and Brian J. Smith are also set to appear.
Interestingly, plans are already in motion for future seasons of other The Boys spin-offs. Kripke emphasized the importance of viewership in securing these renewals: "We have a plan for Gen V Season 3, and we’re psyched about it, but we need enough viewers to watch Season 2 to justify Season 3. Now’s the time that they’re paying attention to the numbers. So don’t watch even a year from now. Turn on Prime [Video] and watch it now. If enough people watch then we’ll get a Season 3. Same applies to Vought Rising Season 1. We have plans for a Season 2, if we can. They’ve been nothing but supportive, and they’re giving us our opportunities. But it’s a business and we also have to deliver. So hopefully the audience shows up."
The season 2 finale of Gen V premiered on Prime Video on October 22nd, and the fifth and final season of The Boys is slated for release in 2026. It seems that the success of these shows depend on our viewership more than ever.
So, what are your thoughts? Are you disappointed that Diabolical might not return? Do you think viewer numbers are a fair way to decide the fate of a show, or should critical acclaim and creative merit play a larger role? And are you excited for the upcoming The Boys spin-offs? Let us know in the comments below!
