We all like going to the dark side of things; we all like dipping into worlds that we don't know anything about, or hopefully don't know anything about. I think 'Banshee' gives people a chance to do that pretty safely because we all know there's a solid buffer between the show and reality.

The quote "We all like going to the dark side of things; we all like dipping into worlds that we don't know anything about, or hopefully don't know anything about. I think 'Banshee' gives people a chance to do that pretty safely because we all know there's a solid buffer between the show and reality." comes from Antony Starr, the New Zealand actor best known for his roles in Banshee and The Boys. In this statement, Starr reflects on the appeal of dark and dangerous fictional worlds, and how television can allow audiences to explore them without real-life risk.

The meaning behind the quote lies in the human fascination with danger, crime, and morally complex situations. Starr acknowledges that people are curious about worlds they don’t know—often ones filled with violence, corruption, or moral ambiguity—but would not want to actually experience them in real life. A show like Banshee offers viewers a chance to immerse themselves in such scenarios while maintaining a safe distance through the “buffer” of fiction.

The origin of this sentiment is rooted in Starr’s role as Lucas Hood in Banshee, a gritty action-drama series that aired from 2013 to 2016. The show followed an ex-con who assumes the identity of a murdered sheriff in a small town riddled with crime and secrets. Known for its intense action and morally grey characters, Banshee created a heightened, dangerous world that viewers could dip into without real-world consequences, aligning perfectly with Starr’s point about safe escapism.

Ultimately, Starr’s words highlight the psychological appeal of dark entertainment. Stories like Banshee give audiences a controlled environment to explore human extremes—violence, revenge, power struggles—without any real threat. This “solid buffer” between reality and fiction allows people to satisfy their curiosity about the darker aspects of life while remaining firmly grounded in safety.