In a new interview with DiscussingFilm, Ackles sheds light on The Boys‘ casting process and reveals that he wasn’t one of the top choices to play the villainous Soldier Boy. As the actor explains, there was a shortlist of names in contention that Ackles says would have been “far more recognizable.” With the coaching of The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke, who also created Supernatural, Ackles says he was able to make it work. Read his full quote below:

“Apparently, there was a shortlist of names they were talking about at the studio. I certainly wasn’t on that list, and it consisted of names that were far more recognizable than mine. But I said that I was willing to fight, and he said, ‘If you’re willing to fight for it, then I might be able to help you.’ And so he did.

“I had to put myself on tape, this was during peak COVID, so I didn’t really have help in doing so. I had to pre-record the other person’s lines, which happened to be Butcher. So I had to do my best Butcher impression and then I would play those lines back and finally, I would give the Soldier Boy performance. Luckily, I had Kripke coaching me and he was able to put the best tape forward that I could muster. He sent it up the ladder, got all the checkmarks, and that’s how it happened. But I fought for it, man. I fought for it pretty hard.”

Ackles Is The Right Choice For Soldier Boy (Who Will Likely Return)

Embedded within Ackles’ remarks is the implication that Soldier Boy is likely to return in The Boys season 4. If the character was positioned to be played by a majorly recognizable actor, it’s hard to imagine that his arc was intended to wrap up so suddenly. The villain has a built-in dynamic with Homelander, who has arguably emerged as The Boys‘ breakout name, thanks to Antony Starr’s performance. That dynamic will likely continue, with Ackles recently teasing Soldier Boy’s next appearance.

If it’s the case that Soldier Boy remains a major player moving forward on The Boys, then Ackles was the perfect choice to portray him. He’s a television stalwart, not just with Supernatural but going further back to shows like Smallville, Dark Angel, and even the seminal soap Days of Our Lives. Ackles, in other words, knows a great deal about how to add to genre shows.

He also knows how to keep characters interesting and find depths in portrayals that may initially seem to have little shading and complexity. There have been a few select scenes and brief exchanges where Soldier Boy already comes across as more than a standard baddie, though he has committed deplorable acts. If he sticks around for The Boys season 4, that sort of delicate balance will resume with a capable performer in the role.