The second season of The Boys‘ spinoff Gen V is all set to release on Amazon Prime Video. The irreverent and gory superhero show/campus drama sees actor Hamish Linklater take the centre stage as one of the new additions to the cast. Ahead of the show’s release, the actor speaks to Hindustan Times about his role and the challenges the show is facing in Trump’s America.

Hamish Linklater on playing Cipher in Gen V S2

In Gen V season 2, Hamish plays Cipher, the new dean of Godolkin University, where superheroes in the Boys universe are trained. Talking about his character’s flexible moral compass, the actor says, “Since season 1, Homelander has taken over this universe. I am the kind of hire that Homelander would want to make. That should tell you what a good guy I am.”

‘Writers are finding it hard to outdo the real world crazy’

Gen V first aired in 2023. Since then, the United States has seen a regime change with Donald Trump regaining the presidency. It has often been said that political satires like The Boys and Gen V are finding it hard with real-life pacing ahead in terms of craziness. Hamish agrees, “Yes, the writers are having a hard time trying to out crazy the real world crazy. I think what’s so amazing is that Eric Kripke (the show’s creator) didn’t know this was going to happen to America when he started on this show. But, he didn’t flinch from it. He has run towards the firing squad. I am proud to be associated with a show that has that kind of courage of its bloody conviction.”

Gen V, like The Boys, has been known for its graphic violence and on-the-nose gore. What new things can we expect in season 2? Hamish promptly replies with a smile, “More butt stuff!”

Gen V season 2 stars Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, and Asa Germann, with cameos from a few The Boys stars as well. It releases on Amazon Prime Video on 17 September.