Why Was 'Queen Maeve' Absent From 'The Boys' Series Finale? Eric Kripke Reveals What Happens To Her

The Boys series has come to an end after an intense season. Season 5 was the final chapter in the American satirical superhero television series. The first series in the franchise was based on the comic book series of the same name, written by Garth Ennis and Darick. However, as the series nears its end, fans have noticed that one character has remained absent. The Boys series finale has unfolded, and despite theories that 'Queen Maeve' essayed by Dominique McElligott might return, she remained absent for the conclusion of the Prime Video hit. Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Why didn't 'Queen Maeve' return for The Boys series finale?

If you were hoping for the former supe's return, you were probably left a little disappointed. Addressing the same, showrunner Eric Kripke spoke to TV Insider about the various teasers for 'Queen Maeve' featured in Season 5. As fans will recall, 'Queen Maeve' was last seen in Season 3's finale after she helped neutralise 'Soldier Boy' (Jensen Ackles) by pushing him from Vought Tower, absorbing his depowering blast in the process. However, with the series finale, fans expected viewers to see 'Queen Maeve' once again. Unfortunately for the fans, that was not the case. 

What happened to 'Queen Maeve' after Season 3?

The finale of Season 3 showed 'Queen Maeve' neutralising 'Soldier Boy' and later absorbing his depowering blast. However, the event left her powerless and on the run with her girlfriend as they went off-grid. There were hints at her potential return as she was featured in "previously on" clips, and her likeness was referenced throughout the latest season. However, as it turns out, that was more of an homage than a hint at a return, according to Eric Kripke.

Eric Kripke explains why 'Queen Maeve' aka Dominique McElligott didn't come back in Season 5

The showrunner, Eric Kripke revealed there were a couple of reasons why 'Queen Maeve' didn't return to The Boys for the final curtain call. He revealed that he and Dominique McElligott emailed a couple of times over the period of six to eight months. He revealed that he even asked the actress if she was willing to return to the show for one last time. He was quoted as saying:

"Dom and I email a couple of times every six to eight months or so, and she checked in on me after the Palisades fires. We throw each other emails, and I said very early because I wanted to know whether we were building for it, 'Would you be open to coming back for a day, and here are the dates.'"

In the same conversation with TV Insider, Erick Kripe revealed that, in response to his email about returning to The Boys, Dominique McElligott said she had retired from acting and was not taking on any more projects. However, that was not all. Eric revealed that the actress was also unavailable for the dates Eric wanted Dominique to shoot for her possible return in The Boys Season 5. He was quoted as saying:

"And it was very pleasant and respectful, she just said, 'I've kind of retired from acting. [I'm not] really acting anymore, and I'm busy those dates anyway.'"

The Boys series finale paid tribute to 'Queen Maeve's' legacy

Eric Kripke further shared in the same conversation that he knew that Dominique McElligott's decision was final, and hence, he didn't ask her to return again. He revealed that it was very pleasant talking to her, and as a team, they wanted to pay homage to her character, 'Queen Maeve', hence she was shown in the recap as a way of showing how she passed the torch to 'Anne'. He was quoted as saying:

"So, that was honestly it. It was a very pleasant, non-controversial moment, you know? But we wanted to pay homage to her; she's an important character, and so she shows up in the recap and in a way to show that Maeve passed the torch to Annie, and now Annie is passing the torch to Marie, and that there's this lineage of strong women that started with Maeve."

'Queen Maeve's' spirit lives on in The Boys

While 'Queen Maeve' aka, Dominique McElligott was not able to return to The Boys for the final call, Eric Kripke made sure 'Queen Maeve' wasn't forgotten. To ensure fans still remembered the legacy of Dominique and 'Queen Maeve' as they tuned in to Season 5, her scenes were added to the recap. "We wanted to bring up Maeve's spirit if we couldn't actually bring her up in person," he concludes. Nonetheless, despite the actress's absence, the fans will always remember 'Queen Maeve' as a loving character.

image credit: RottenTomatoesTV/YT, AdorableDarkCat/YT

What do you think of Queen Maeve's absence in the final season of The Boys? Let us know.

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