Homelander Actor Once Got So Deep Into a Villain Role He Threatened to Take a Life After a Drunken Assault in Spain

Antony Starr, the actor widely recognized for his chilling portrayal of Homelander in the hit superhero series “The Boys,” once found himself at the center of a real-life controversy that mirrored the volatile nature of his on-screen persona.

While in Spain to film an action project, Starr was arrested following a violent drunken altercation that left a young chef hospitalized and the actor facing a criminal conviction.

The incident occurred in March 2022 in the city of Alicante, where Starr was on location for the Guy Ritchie film originally titled “The Interpreter” (later released as “Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant”). According to reports from the local news outlet La Información, the 50-year-old actor became involved in a dispute with a 21-year-old Venezuelan chef, Bathuel Araujo, at a local bar.

The confrontation quickly turned physical, with Starr allegedly punching the chef in the face twice. The violence escalated further when the actor reportedly smashed a glass bottle into the young man’s face. Araujo later told police that Starr threatened him during the assault, allegedly saying, You’ve committed the mistake of your life… I want to take your life.

The victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance and required four stitches above his eye to close the wounds caused by the shattered glass. Starr was arrested shortly after the altercation following an anonymous call to the police and spent two nights in Spanish custody before appearing in court.

Starr admitted to the assault during the hearing, which led to a speedy trial. He was handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence, a common outcome under Spanish law for first-time offenders receiving sentences under two years. To avoid actual jail time, the court required Starr to pay $5,464 in restitution to the victim within three days and remain on good behavior for the following two years.

While fans were shocked by the “Homelander-esque” behavior, the incident did not derail Starr’s career. Since the settlement, he has remained a cornerstone of “The Boys” franchise, also appearing in the animated spin-off “The Boys: Diabolical.” He also completed his role in “The Covenant,” starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

As of early 2026, Starr is busier than ever. He is currently filming the lead role in the Netflix surfing drama “Breakers” in Western Australia, where he plays a mysterious and charismatic figure named Brando. This marks a major television lead for Starr following the news that the upcoming fifth season of “The Boys,” premiering April 8, will be the series’ final chapter.

In addition to his return as Homelander, Starr recently appeared in the action-thriller “G20” on Prime Video, playing a mercenary leader facing off against a U.S. President played by Viola Davis. He also wrapped production on the biopic “Samo Lives,” where he took on the transformative role of pop art icon Andy Warhol.

Despite the gravity of the 2022 arrest and the subsequent conviction, Starr has never publicly addressed the incident in detail. Most fans have moved on, focusing instead on his critically acclaimed performances, though the event remains a stark reminder of the thin line between an actor’s professional intensity and their personal conduct.

Do you think Antony Starr’s real-life legal issues add an uncomfortable layer to his performance as a volatile villain, or should an actor’s personal life be kept entirely separate from their work? Please share your thoughts in the comments.