‘The Boys’ Star Nathan Mitchell Bids Farewell to Black Noir in Heartfelt Post
Nathan Mitchell’s portrayal of Black Noir has come to an end, as the character was killed by The Deep in Season 5 Episode 6, titled “Though the Heavens Fall.” This moment marks a bittersweet conclusion for one of the series’ longest-standing characters, with Mitchell having played both the original Black Noir and his more talkative successor throughout the entirety of ‘The Boys.’
Mitchell pointed out that this is the second time Black Noir has met his demise in the series, having previously faced death at the hands of Homelander in Season 3. The actor has now shared his feelings about saying goodbye to this iconic role.
Before receiving his script, Mitchell received a personal call from showrunner Eric Kripke, who expressed his appreciation, saying, “Hey, man, it’s been a hell of a ride. Loved having you. It’s been wonderful.”
However, Mitchell expressed that he understood the creative choice, even though he would have preferred to see Noir’s journey conclude in the series finale. He acknowledged that while actors generally wish to remain until the end, “we have a lot of story to tell, a lot of characters to service, a lot to wrap up, and it made sense for Noir’s journey to end here.”
The circumstances surrounding Noir’s death carry significant thematic implications. Mitchell explained that the character’s demise was fitting due to his primary relationship with The Deep in Seasons 4 and 5, which was built on mentorship and brotherhood. This relationship ultimately led to a violent confrontation, where Noir sabotaged The Deep’s beloved sea life, resulting in The Deep murdering his protégé in cold blood.
Mitchell described the physical challenges of filming the scene, noting it was “intense” and involved various logistical elements, such as cords wrapped around his neck. Collaborating with Chace Crawford, who portrays The Deep, added emotional depth to their final encounter. Mitchell expressed satisfaction with how the narrative unfolded, stating he was “happy that it ended at the hands of The Deep because that’s who his arc has been with this entire time.”
The departure of Black Noir signifies another major loss in ‘The Boys’ increasingly brutal final season, where few characters are safe from sudden death. Mitchell reflected on the deeper significance of Black Noir’s storyline, emphasizing a thematic thread of “thwarted ambition in the suit,” as the second Noir aspired to pursue Broadway dreams that were ultimately crushed by his association with The Deep. As the series finale approaches, fans will be eager to see how ‘The Boys’ resolves its remaining storylines without one of its most unique characters.
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