Hamish Linklater opens up about his dual role as Cipher and Doug in Gen V Season 2, revealing how the twist pushed him creatively and emotionally. Hamish Linklater on playing two sides of himself in Gen V Season 2 finale’s shocking twist (Getty Images via AFP) Hamish Linklater discussed the complex and emotional challenge of playing two very different characters in Gen V Season 2 in an exclusive interview with Cinemablend. The Amazon Prime Video series, a spin-off of The Boys, surprised fans when it revealed that the mysterious Cipher was actually Dr. Thomas Godolkin was, controlling an innocent man named Doug Brightbill. This twist, which came in the final episode, gave audiences a new perspective on Linklater’s performance and the layered nature of the show’s story. Sharing his thoughts in the interview, Linklater said that dealing with two characters in one storyline was a factor that literally took him beyond his usual limits. He remembers being extremely nervous before pitching his first version of Doug to the team, and he admitted, “I was sweating it, I didn’t know if it would be good enough or weird enough.” Due to the dual role, he had to alternate between the lively side of the antagonistic, fashionable Cipher and the depressed, sad Doug. Bringing depth to Cipher and Doug Cipher, the confident and manipulative villain, represents control and superiority, while Doug embodies innocence and emotional pain. For years, Doug lived as a passenger in his own body, forced to watch Godolkin use his powers to commit atrocities. Linklater’s ability to capture these opposing forces made the twist even more impactful. According to him, the team wanted to emphasize how trauma continues even when the victim is not to blame. “The body keeps score,” Linklater said, appreciating how the writers gave Doug emotional closure through his repeated apology, “I’m sorry,” throughout the finale. A powerful finale Gen V Season 2’s last episode aired on October 22, 2025, and it delves further into Doug’s story and what comes after Cipher’s manipulation. The series is a mix of dark comedy, action and thriller atmosphere with a focus on the themes of power, control and guilt among the supes. Many people have noted that Linklater’s acting really brings an additional layer of emotion to a very heavy storyline. FAQ Who plays Hamish Linklater in Gen V Season 2? He plays both Cipher and Doug Brightbill, whose identity is revealed to be linked. When will the finale of Gen V Season 2 be released? The final premieres on October 22, 2025 on Amazon Prime Video. Is Gen V connected to The Boys universe? Yes, it’s a spin-off series that explores younger supes trained at Godolkin University.
Hamish Linklater plays two sides of himself in Gen V Season 2’s shocking twist
