‘Umbrella Academy’: Fans are NOT Happy With Five and Lilly’s Relationship

The highly anticipated final season of The Umbrella Academy has just premiered on Netflix, and it hasn’t taken long for controversy to stir among its dedicated fanbase. Season 4 introduces an unexpected love triangle involving two of the Hargreaves siblings, leaving viewers divided.

In this season, Five (portrayed by Aidan Gallagher) and Lila (played by Ritu Arya) find themselves trapped in a seven-year time loop. During their time together, they develop a romantic relationship while investigating a mysterious group. This plot twist caught many fans off guard, especially considering Lila’s marriage to Five’s brother, Diego (David Castañeda), with whom she has a family.

Also Read: Steve Blackman Accused of “Toxic” Behaviour on ‘Umbrella Academy’ Set

The relationship raised eyebrows not only because of Lila’s connection to Diego but also due to the significant age difference between Five and Lila. Although Five first encountered Lila when he was 13, he later returns with the body of an 18-year-old after being trapped in the future, despite his actual age being 64.

Fans were quick to voice their concerns on social media, with some expressing discomfort over the relationship between Five and Lila, and others lamenting how it impacted the bond between Five and Diego. The storyline’s conclusion, which left Diego and Five on poor terms, was particularly disappointing for many viewers.

David Castañeda, who plays Diego, shared his frustrations with the storyline in an interview with Us Weekly. He admitted he was upset about Lila choosing Five over Diego and expressed his concerns to the showrunner, Steve Blackman. Filming these scenes was challenging for Castañeda, especially considering his real-life relationship with Arya, who plays Lila.

Castañeda candidly remarked, “No, I didn’t understand. I was pissed off, I was angry. I talked to [our showrunner] Steve [Blackman] a few times. I was like, ‘Hey, does this really have to happen?’” He added that the storyline “wasn’t fun” for him to portray.

Regarding the relationship from Five’s perspective, Castañeda said, “I was always trying to convince Steven, ‘Who’s going to win? Come on, Diego’s going to win, right?’ You have needs. I get it. But let’s be real. Come on, Diego? Who can turn down that hot cake?”

Steve Blackman defended the decision, stating that Five needed a love story given his unique situation of being an older man in a young body. He saw potential in exploring this with Lila, though he knew it would be a polarising choice. Despite the mixed reactions, Blackman stood by the storyline, noting that the on-screen kiss between Five and Lila was executed perfectly.