‘The Boys’ Star Erin Moriarty Reflects on Health Struggles While Filming Season 5

Erin Moriarty has candidly discussed her challenging experience while filming the final season of ‘The Boys,’ expressing a desire to have been in a better physical and emotional state while portraying Starlight.

The actress, recognized for her role as Erin Moriarty, revealed that she faced significant health issues during production. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, around June 2025. This condition can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and various physical difficulties.

Moriarty noted that her illness impacted her during a crucial emotional storyline in Season 5, particularly in the episode where her character Annie, also known as Starlight, shares pivotal scenes with her father. She described that period as particularly tough for her personally.

“Around the time that I shot the episode with my father (episode 4), I started to get really sick, and we didn’t know what it was…All my dreams were coming true. But simultaneously, my health was plummeting, and it was a very scary moment in time..This character’s moment with her father was the most important moment for me, I just wish I could have shown up for her in a more whole state.”

She explained that initially, she believed her symptoms were merely stress and fatigue from work. However, doctors later confirmed the diagnosis. Moriarty mentioned feeling disconnected during filming and struggled to be fully present in the early episodes.

In an interview reported by The Hollywood Reporter, she elaborated on the difficulties she faced and her reasons for being open about her condition now. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about autoimmune diseases, as many may not recognize the early signs.

“It’s important for me to be vocal about autoimmune diseases. I was starting to feel so ill, and even though I come from a family of doctors, no one thought to say, ‘Go get your levels tested. It was like I was offline for the first six to seven episodes, and then I came back online. I finally felt present at the very end of season five.”

Moriarty shared that her health began to improve only after she started treatment. She noticed significant changes and began feeling better shortly after receiving care.

She publicly disclosed her diagnosis in June via social media, reflecting on how she initially overlooked her symptoms, attributing them to work-related stress.

Moriarty mentioned that her condition had been worsening for some time before she sought medical help. After beginning treatment, she felt like she was gradually returning to her true self.

She also recounted a personal moment when she reached out to her mother during the peak of her illness, expressing feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to function normally, and needing immediate support. Her mother reportedly came to her aid shortly after receiving her message.

Despite the challenges she faced, Moriarty expressed gratitude for the support she received from the cast and crew of ‘The Boys,’ especially during the toughest days of filming. However, she admitted that she has not been able to watch the final season due to its close ties to that difficult period in her life.

Her experience underscores the seriousness of autoimmune conditions, particularly when they remain undiagnosed for extended periods, and their potential impact on major productions behind the scenes.

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