WhenThe Boys returns for its second season, the Amazon Prime series will bring back several familiar heroes and villains. Among them is mysterious weapons specialist Cherie, played by Jordana Lajoie. An ex-girlfriend of Frenchie (Tomer Capon) who he returns to after he leaves the titular crew, she becomes his partner in crime. Cherie appeared in three episodes of Season 1, assisting Frenchie in his various misadventures while having her own run-ins with the Seven. In Season 2, the character will return for four episodes, and it's safe to say explosions will not be far behind.
Lajoie spoke to CBR about bringing Cherie to life, working with showrunner Eric Kripke and what we can look forward to in Season 2.
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CBR: What was the audition process like for Cherie? Did the character change at all between the audition and when you shotThe Boys?
Jordana Lajoie:She was initially moreof a party girl type of energy. I brought more of a goth undertone to her and added a bit of punk energy.
What made you decide to add those goth undertones to the character?
When I finally booked the part and I met with some of the designers, I quickly did a bit of research on Frenchie. I drew inspiration from [The Boys comic-book artist] Darick Robertson's drawing of Frenchie. I channeled the band The Prodigy, which is very punk, cool and brave.I could have just been a raver,but I wanted to add a bit more of thatgoth weird energy. I didn't really feel the lollipop raver as much as the cool punk-rock gods, like I could hurt someone if I wanted. And they liked the look, so Eric [Kripke] went with it!
Cherie is a completely new character who wasn't in the source comic. How did you try to fit her into the tone and style ofThe Boys considering the character didn't already exist?
Again, I drew inspiration from Frenchie storylines. I was lucky in a sense that I could create my own character and add a bit of spice here and there. And of course, my audition tape was another reference point. So if Eric liked what I did, I got to bring that to the table as well. I was somewhat nervous becauseyou know how fans can get when things are a bit different. I was apprehensive about if they would accept this random person here who doesn't have anything to do with the actual storyline. But Eric and the writers, they did such a lovely job, and they elevated the story. People are very accepting of new characters in the TV show, and I'm so happy.
Speaking of Eric Kripke, what has it been like to work with him as a showrunner?
Eric was so lovely and so welcoming. He was like a little boy finally doing whathe really loves to do. He was so excited for me, and we would banter. There was a scene where I was supposed to run away from an exploding building and he was really great. I felt protected. I always felt safe. And he's such a nerd; he loves what he does. That's really contagious. He just made this whole journey so much better for me.
Did that energy change at all between Seasons 1 and 2?
Oh, man,it increased! [Kripke] was enjoying himself when he would be behind the camera. You could see from the corner of your eye that he's chuckling. That's why we got into this game, to entertain others but also to have fun while we're entertaining. He also asks all of us how we're doing and how our lives are. He cares about people, not only his actors but his crew, everybody. That's the definition of a true leader.
You mentioned the explosion scene from Season 1. How has it been to get your inner Tom Cruise on and film those stunts?
[Laughs.] I love it! I'm a bit of a tomboy myself, so I'm not new to that type of character. I've never, ever donean explosion scene; that was different for me. I definitelyhad nerves on the day because I found out on the day that it was going to happen. But it was super fun. I love learning different things about guns to learn every day. I really nerded out because I wanted to be authentic and organic. And even if you don't see me that much with the guns, I had training with them. Cherie has a really great energy, and that made it a lot of fun.
What excited you the most about returning to the role of Cherie?
Being on set. You get to see these superheroes walking in their costumes, and it's just really fun. I've never been a part of something that was this fun. It's a dream come true even if I'm not a superhero myself. I'm still part of the world. Everything is wonderful, between the process, the journey, the camaraderie. The crew makes you feel right at home, and I'llsay it's not always that situation. Everyone's just so kind and so excited.
You've said previouslythatThe Boys is different from all of the other superhero media we have out there. Can you elaborate on that?
It's a satire. It doesn't take itself too seriously. And it's well written! It's a really entertaining show. It's a satire, but yet it manages to bring up really important subjects that affect everyone, but they do it in a way that's organic and doesn't feel forced. That's beautiful, that mastery.
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What can we expect from Cherie in Season 2?
Cheriewill still remain a bit of a mystery, and I like that about her. In Season 1, you don't know who she is, just that she's there to help the Boys. In Season 2, she takes a different path. Youwill see more love coming from her, more understanding.You'll see more vulnerability, which will help you understand her relationship with Frenchie a bit more.
Finally, I saw a fan theory floating around during Season 1 that proposed Cherie was blind due to your first scene when you feel Hughie's face. Did you know about that?
I actually did!Someone in the cast mentioned it to me.Guys, she was high!That's all it was. But it was well edited. I can understand why it would be a little confusing. But she runs away from exploding buildings and puts together cables, so theory busted.
Amazon Studios' The Boys stars Karl Urban as Billy Butcher, Jack Quaid as Hughie, Laz Alonso as Mother's Milk, Tomer Kapon as Frenchie, Karen Fukuhara as the Female, Erin Moriarty as Annie January, Chace Crawford as the Deep, Antony Starr as Homelander, Aya Cash as Stormfront and Simon Pegg as Hughie's dad. Season 2 premieres Sept. 4 on Amazon Prime Video.
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