The Boys has eschewed the tradition of the current streaming landscape by pacing out the release of its second season.

While most streaming shows tend to drop entire seasons in one go, the Amazon Prime series has gone for a different approach by releasing the first batch of episodes, before each subsequent episode comes out in weekly instalments.

Explaining why they decided to do it that way, showrunner Erik Kripke told Collider: "The airing schedule came actually when we were pretty close to being done – probably 3/4ths of the way through post-production.

the boys season 2 starlight
Amazon Prime

Related: The Boys cast break down their "surreal" audition process

"For the record, it didn't come from Amazon. It came from the producers… we're the ones who pitched them.

"A lot of people over there were actually reluctant because it was a new idea, or they don't do it that often. We really wanted it and Amazon ended up agreeing that they'd give it a try."

He further noted: "Our feeling is that when it airs all eight at once, it becomes a sugar rush of a binge. People burn through it in a week or two. There's an intense amount of activity, and then it sort of fades.

the boys season 2 hughie
panagiotis pantazidis//Amazon Prime

Related: The Boys season 2: Erin Moriarty answers the big Starlight question from episode 3

"There's so many great moments in season two, we want to give it time to marinate, so people can reflect on it and talk about it before they move on to the next thing and be in the conversation a little longer. I think a little anticipation for the fans is healthy."

Meanwhile, it turns out that The Boys season two contains a neat nod to Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who.

The Boys season two dropped on Amazon Prime Video on September 4 with episodes 1-3, and will continue weekly from September 11. The show's first season is available to stream now.


Digital Spy has launched its first-ever digital magazine with exclusive features, interviews, and videos. Access this edition with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.

Headshot of Sam Warner
Sam Warner

Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International.  Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.