The Boys Spinoff Loses Third Cast Member Amid Creative Changes

Prime Video's The Boys spinoff loses cast member Reina Hardesty amid major behind-the-scenes creative changes for the series. Based on a comic series of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys presents a world similar to the universes of DC or Marvel. However, beneath the veneer of superheroism displayed by many of its characters lies a dark landscape of violence and depravity as the series explores the corruption that goes on when superheroes have few people in the world to challenge them.

The Boys has proven itself to be a major success for Prime Video over the course of its two seasons, with multiple offshoot properties in the works to expand the universe. The first was The Boys Presents: Diabolical, which extended the franchise through animated shorts and debuted earlier this year. The next is the spinoff centered on America’s only college for young Supes. The show officially received a series order in September 2021. However, in the intervening months, many notable changes have taken place behind the scenes.

Related: The Boys: Every Spinoff Show

Per Deadline, the latest development involves the departure of Hardesty. Hardesty’s exit is reportedly due to changes in creative vision following the departure of original showrunner Craig Rosenberg and the introduction of new showrunners Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters to the spinoff. That said, little is known about how this new vision will differ from the original plan. Prior to her initial casting in The Boys spinoff, Hardesty was known for her work on Brockmire, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow, among other projects.

Reina Hardesty as Joss Mardon in The Flash

Hardesty is not the only major player to leave The Boys spinoff during its development. She is the latest cast member to depart the series, following the recent exits of Aimee Carrero and Shane Paul McGhie. At the time of Carrero and McGhie’s departures, it was said that the lengthy development process on The Boys spinoff, as well as the new creative vision, were contributing factors.

While there may be an immediate urge for some viewers to feel concerned over the many exiting cast , it does not necessarily spell doom for The Boys spinoff. While little is known about it beyond its college setting, The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke has promised it will feel very different from the mainline show. Whatever changes take place behind the scenes, viewers can continue to hope the spinoff will offer something new while still retaining the diabolical sensibilities they have come to know and love from The Boys.