Kevin Bacon is stepping into the lead role of Southern Bastards, Hulu’s upcoming drama pilot helmed by director Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard, Bob Marley: One Love).
Adapted from the acclaimed graphic novel series by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour (who are also executive producing), the series centers on a no-nonsense military veteran who heads back to her hometown of Craw County, Alabama, hoping to reconnect with her estranged father. Instead, she uncovers a deadly criminal empire secretly run by the town’s most celebrated high school football coach.
In the pilot, Bacon plays Earl, the son of the fearsome late Sheriff Bert, a tough, humble army veteran determined to repair his fractured family ties while diving headfirst into the dangerous underbelly of Craw County.
Reinaldo Marcus Green will direct the pilot and serve as an executive producer. The project comes from Onyx Collective, POV Entertainment, and Proximity Media (Ryan Coogler’s banner), in association with Fifth Season.
Bill Dubuque (Ozark) wrote the teleplay, with Matt Olmstead (Ozark) attached as showrunner and executive producer. Additional EPs include Jason Aaron, Jason Latour, Layne Eskridge, Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Zinzi Coogler. Simone Harris and Kate Barry are co-executive producers.
Bacon recently directed and starred in the horror-comedy Family Movie, which premiered at SXSW and features his real-life family — wife Kyra Sedgwick and children Sosie and Travis Bacon.
Green, fresh off the global success of Bob Marley: One Love (which earned over $180 million at the box office), is also set to release his Marvel special The Punisher: One Last on Disney+ on May 12.
Southern Bastards promises a dark, Southern-fried blend of family drama, crime, and football culture — marking another ambitious television venture for both Bacon and Green.
