Actress Erin Moriarty, best known for her role as Annie “Starlight” January in The Boys, has spoken openly about the physical and emotional difficulties she experienced while filming the show’s fifth and final season, as well as her feelings about its upcoming conclusion. Her reflections reveal a deeply personal journey marked by illness, emotional strain, and eventual recovery during one of the most demanding periods of her career.

Moriarty recently disclosed that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in June 2025, a condition that she had been unknowingly living with while already six months into production on the final season. Looking back, she explained that many of the symptoms she experienced during filming—such as extreme fatigue, nausea, and general exhaustion—were directly connected to the illness, even though she had not yet received a diagnosis at the time.

Once she began treatment, her condition improved significantly. She described the relief of finally understanding what had been affecting her health and noted that the proper medical care allowed her to feel like herself again by the time filming concluded. She even shared that, toward the end of production, she finally felt fully present in her work again, which made completing the series both meaningful and emotionally intense.

Despite her professional achievements on the show, Moriarty admitted that she has not yet been able to bring herself to watch the final season. While she holds deep affection for her character and the series as a whole, she associates that period of filming with a physically and emotionally draining chapter of her life that she is not yet ready to revisit.

In addition to discussing her health journey, Moriarty also reflected on the emotional complexity of the final season’s narrative arc for Annie/Starlight. She explained that her character undergoes significant psychological and emotional development, particularly in relation to family, responsibility, and personal identity. One key storyline involves Annie confronting long-standing tensions within her family history, ultimately leading to a moment of acceptance and emotional growth.

According to Moriarty, this turning point becomes crucial in shaping Annie’s mindset for the remainder of the season. By letting go of resentment and choosing understanding over anger, the character reaches a new level of emotional maturity. This shift allows Annie to move forward in a more grounded and self-aware way, rather than being held back by unresolved pain.

Moriarty also credited showrunner Eric Kripke with providing detailed background context for the time jumps between seasons. She explained that each season of “The Boys” does not pick up immediately after the previous one, meaning that significant off-screen developments occur in between. To help the cast prepare, Kripke would meet with actors to explain what had happened during those gaps, while also encouraging collaboration on character development.

For Moriarty, this process allowed her to actively contribute ideas for Annie’s evolution. She revealed that she suggested giving her character a new nervous habit to reflect the psychological pressure she was under. This detail was intended to show how Annie copes with overwhelming stress during moments when she cannot escape her responsibilities or emotional burdens.

Moriarty described Annie as being at her most emotionally strained point in the final season. The character is portrayed as deeply affected by the consequences of the Starlighter Movement, a cause she leads that results in significant personal and collective loss. This weight of responsibility shapes much of her behaviour, making her more vulnerable and emotionally complex than in previous seasons.

At one point, Moriarty even interpreted her character’s state as being close to emotional collapse, explaining that Annie begins to see self-sacrifice as a possible form of redemption. This interpretation influenced how she approached the role, ensuring that Annie remained grounded and human despite her superhero identity.

To portray this internal struggle, Moriarty incorporated subtle physical behaviours, including nervous habits and moments of distraction, to reflect Annie’s mental state. These choices were designed to make the character feel more realistic and relatable, highlighting the emotional toll of carrying such immense responsibility.

As the series approaches its conclusion, Moriarty has also shared her thoughts on the final episode of “The Boys,” which she describes as both emotionally powerful and deeply satisfying. She suggested that while the ending carries a strong emotional weight, it is not purely pessimistic or cynical in tone.

After reading the script for the finale, she said it quickly became her favourite episode of the season. She expressed confidence that audiences would find the ending fulfilling, even while acknowledging that it may also be emotionally difficult to watch. Her reaction reflects both admiration for the writing and a personal connection to the story’s conclusion.

Looking back on her overall experience, Moriarty described filming the final season as a period filled with mixed emotions. She explained that while saying goodbye to her character was difficult, the experience of watching the final season being released has brought a renewed sense of gratitude. The emotional contrast between ending production and seeing the finished work has made the experience feel even more surreal for her.

She also reflected on how long she has been connected to the project, noting that it still feels like she was auditioning for the role not long ago. This sense of time passing quickly has added to the emotional weight of the show’s conclusion.

Moriarty described the final season as a “bittersweet” experience, a feeling shared by many of the cast and crew. While there is pride in what they have created, there is also a sense of loss as the long-running project comes to an end.

She admitted that during filming, she entered a kind of “pre-mourning” phase, mentally preparing for the series to conclude while still trying to remain fully present in the work. This emotional balancing act made the final season especially intense for her, both personally and professionally.

As “The Boys” moves toward its conclusion, Moriarty’s reflections highlight not only the end of a major television series but also the personal journey of an actress navigating illness, emotional growth, and creative fulfilment. Her experience underscores the deep connection between performer and role, and the lasting impact a long-running character can have on an actor’s life.