The Boys has become a ratings hit for Amazon Prime

Amazon has its next big hit on its hands with The Boys, which has exceeded the company’s expectations.

Season one of the comic-based action drama The Boys premiered on Amazon Prime on July 26 and, after two weeks, it’s become very popular. The show, an Amazon Original, is now one of the most-watched the service has to offer.

It outdid preliminary studio expectations, and Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke is very impressed. Hence, Salke (via IGN) says Amazon is already gearing up for season two:

"“We are thrilled that The Boys have surpassed our predictions for viewing in its first two weeks, and has become one of our most watched Amazon Original series by our Prime Video customers. This creates great momentum and excitement for us as we get ready for season two.”"

There was a fair amount of momentum and anticipation beforehand. The second season was ordered before the introductory season’s full number of episodes began streaming. Since then, work has gone underway to follow up and capitalize on The Boys’ somewhat surprising success.

Executive producer Eric Kripke said a fire was lit under him and his team to make the second season better by going deeper and getting more “insane”:

"“I’m so beyond thrilled with the response to Season 1. And mainly, it’s made me get my ass in gear and work even harder on Season 2. I don’t want Season 2 to go bigger, I want it to go deeper. A more intense, more insane, more wrenching, more character-driven season. It’s my one and only goal to make Season 2 even better than Season 1.”"

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Although violent, the show spared viewers, for the time being, from some of the comic’s more shocking and controversial moments. Some of them — and characters we haven’t met yet — are being talked about for likely future seasons.

The Boys is based on a comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. It first ran under DC’s Wildstorm imprint, but continued on at Dynamite until 2012, where the title ended after 72 issues. A few miniseries followed thereafter.

The premise surrounds a group of agents who are tasked with exposing superheroes abusing their powers as well as keeping them in check. A team called The Seven presents a squeaky-clean image but, behind the scenes, they are lewd and crude and do anything but play nice.

Starring Karl Urban as Billy Butcher, Chace Crawford, Jack Quaid, and Elisabeth Shue, all episodes of The Boys are available to stream on Amazon Prime. The show is produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the team behind comedies, such as Sausage Party and The Interview.