Kevin Bacon has been announced as a lead actor in the pilot episode of 'Southern Bastards,' a new series commissioned by Onyx Collective for Hulu, drawing inspiration from the acclaimed graphic novels. Reinaldo Marcus Green has stepped in to helm the pilot as director and executive producer, following Nia DaCosta's departure from the project. This development marks a significant step forward for the series, which was greenlit for a pilot in October 2025.
The narrative centers on a resolute military veteran who ventures back to Craw County, Alabama, with the goal of locating her estranged father, portrayed by Bacon. However, her return uncovers a dark web of organized crime in the county, orchestrated by the region's most successful high school football coach. Bacon's character, Earl, is depicted as a resilient, humble blue-collar army veteran and the son of the revered Sheriff Bert. He aims to reconcile with his daughter and is unafraid to challenge the entrenched criminal elements within Craw County.
Bacon's extensive acting career includes recent television appearances in Netflix's 'Sirens' and Amazon Prime Video's 'The Bondsman.' He previously garnered a Golden Globe nomination for his starring role in Amazon's 'I Love Dick.' His notable filmography boasts iconic performances in 'Footloose,' 'Mystic River,' 'Apollo 13,' and 'Tremors,' among many others. The creative team behind 'Southern Bastards' includes Bill Dubuque and Nia DaCosta, who share story credit, with Dubuque also penning the teleplay and serving as an executive producer. Matt Olmstead is set to be the showrunner and executive producer, alongside graphic novel creators Jason Aaron and Jason Latour. Other executive producers include Layne Eskridge, Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, and Green, with Simone Harris and Kate Berry as co-executive producers. Proximity Media's Hannah Baker and D'Angelo Louis will oversee the project, which is produced in collaboration with Fifth Season.
This upcoming series promises to be a compelling drama, exploring themes of family, crime, and justice against the backdrop of a tightly-knit Southern community. With a talented cast and experienced creative team, 'Southern Bastards' has the potential to deliver a powerful and thought-provoking viewing experience, demonstrating the enduring appeal of complex narratives and well-developed characters in contemporary television.
