Kevin Bacon to Lead ‘Southern Bastards’ Drama at Hulu

Acclaimed actor Kevin Bacon has been cast as the lead in the upcoming drama pilot 'Southern Bastards' for Hulu, a project announced by the Onyx Collective and Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media on February 20, 2025. The production has also secured director Reinaldo Marcus Green to helm the pilot, marking a significant step in bringing the gritty comic book series to television. This development represents a major commitment from Hulu's Onyx Collective, which focuses on stories from creators of color, and signals the streaming platform's continued investment in high-profile, genre-bending adaptations. The series is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed but unfinished Image Comics series of the same name, created by writer Jason Aaron and artist Jason Latour. Set in the fictional, football-obsessed town of Craw County, Alabama, the story is a Southern Gothic crime saga that explores themes of legacy, violence, and corruption. Kevin Bacon is set to play the central character, Earl Tubb, a former high school football legend who returns to his hometown after decades away, only to find it under the violent thumb of a local crime boss. Bacon's casting brings a veteran Hollywood presence to a story deeply rooted in a specific, complex American landscape. The involvement of director Reinaldo Marcus Green, known for films like 'King Richard' and 'Monsters and Men,' suggests a focus on character-driven drama and atmospheric storytelling. His hiring, alongside the powerhouse producing team of Ryan Coogler's Proximity Media, indicates a serious, prestige approach to the material. The project joins a growing slate of comic book adaptations that aim for a mature, cinematic audience beyond traditional superhero fare, similar to shows like 'The Boys' or 'Invincible.' While a full series order is contingent on the success of the pilot, the assembled talent makes 'Southern Bastards' one of the most anticipated developments in Hulu's original programming pipeline.