The dynamic superhero action series ‘The Boys’ has received a lot of attention for its graphic violence, iconic characters, and commentary on US political culture. But it also depicts Black Noir, one of its superhero characters, as living with a rare disease: narcolepsy. In a recent interview with The Wrap, actor Nathan Mitchell discusses how this aspect of the character first came to light.
Nathan says that he doesn’t live with the disorder himself, but he soon gained a reputation amongst his co-stars for his frequent cat naps. During a cast hangout, Erin Moriarty, who depicts Starlight, first noticed the habit and called in ‘narcoleptic Noir.’ The nickname stuck, and Eric Kripke, the program’s showrunner, decided to incorporate the condition as part of the Black Noir character.
“Eric and the team are so great about incorporating those things in little ways. I’m not full-on narcoleptic, fall asleep uncontrolled, but if there’s like a moment alone, where, like no one really needs me, I might just like, but then I’ll be up and good to go very quickly.” – Nathan
Black Noir’s narcolepsy makes itself most apparent in the most recent season 4, which includes the character falling asleep during a confrontation with Starlight and Billy Butcher, and also another moment when he is sleeping during a meeting of the elite superhero team The Seven.
While narcolepsy is never a focus of the program, it’s still an opportunity for visibility for a condition that many people don’t know exists.
‘The Boys’ will be wrapping up after a final fifth season, but Mitchell expressed interest in getting involved with an upcoming spinoff series titled ‘Gen V.’
About Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects sleep. Patients with narcolepsy have a decreased ability to regulate their cycles of sleeping and wakefulness. The exact cause of narcolepsy is not well known. There are a number of risk factors for the condition however, such as family history, exposure to pesticides, or prior brain injury, such as a stroke or tumor. The most well known symptom of narcolepsy is excessive sleepiness during the day, often to the extent that a patient may fall asleep suddenly during their regular activities. This can occur even after a full night of sleep; patients are unable to sleep as deeply as an unaffected person. Other symptoms include cataplexy, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, insomnia, and unexpected weight gain. There is no cure for narcolepsy. Treatments for the condition include stimulants such as amphetamines and modafinil. Most patients cannot control their symptoms entirely. To learn more about narcolepsy, click here.
