Eric Kripke, the showrunner for The Boys, explains the relevance of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s character in season 4. Kripke and Morgan previously worked together on The CW’s Supernatural. Morgan made his series debut in The Boys season 4 as Kessler, a CIA operative who has a history with Billy Butcher (Karl Urban).

With barely months to live and the Boys taking a different approach under the leadership of Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), Butcher is drawn to work with Kessler.

In an interview with Variety, Kripke discusses why Kessler is a vital element to the tale and Butcher’s storyline, as well as why Morgan is the ideal actor to play the series newbie. He also recognizes that, while there is a character named Kessler in The Boys comics, the character in the show is substantially different, with the name serving as a wink rather than a direct translation. Read Kripke’s comments below:

It’s more of a nod and feeling like we’re still in love with the comics and when we can have tie-ins, we’ll take them. The notion came up reasonably early to have a CIA agent who was very much like a Butcher. Almost everyone in Butcher’s life is trying to pull him back and say, “Don’t do that, Butcher!” And we said, well, what if there was someone in his life who was like, “No, you definitely have to do that. And go further, and go harder.”

So in effect, you need another Butcher. And it’s not easy to find someone who can go toe to toe with Karl, in terms of screen presence and charisma and danger. And luckily, that was the same time that Jeffrey Dean had let me know he might be available for that season. And I’m like, “Oh, thank God, because that’s perfect.” You have somebody who’s got Karl’s weight and stature. And since he was a CIA guy, I said, well, we should call them Kessler and just do our version of Kessler.

What Kessler Means For Butcher’s Future

Butcher Is Stuck Between Good And Evil

Among The Boys‘ many storylines, the battle for Butcher’s soul has always been at the heart of the series. Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) and Becca Butcher (Shantel VanSanten) are among those who have pushed Butcher to be better and refused to give up on him at vital points. However, Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles), the return of Butcher’s abusive father (John Noble), the powers granted by Temporary V, and other factors have caused Butcher to regress into the worst version of himself.

Kessler is now the devil on Butcher’s shoulder, tempting and supporting his darkest traits. Butcher has not given up yet, especially his refusal to carry out Kessler’s plan to undermine and control Ryan (Cameron Crovetti). Butcher finally chose to obey Becca’s desires and protect Ryan in seasons 2 and 3, even when he had his best chance to murder Homelander (Antony Starr) once and for all. In season 4 of The Boys, Butcher’s refusal to betray those he cares about suggests he’ll make the correct decision.

Nonetheless, all of the Boys, except for Hughie, have given up on Butcher, and Hughie is currently dealing with his own family turmoil. This, along with the ticking clock of his impending death, makes Butcher more alone than he has ever been in this series. In season 4, Butcher may make the incorrect option, leading to a final battle for his soul in the fifth and final season of The Boys, with only Kessler to rely on for guidance.