Kevin Bacon Joins Punisher-Style ‘Southern Bastards’ Comic Book Adaptation

Kevin Bacon is making a comeback to television with a new crime thriller that promises action reminiscent of The Punisher. Although his previous shows, Sirens and The Bondsman (both slated for release in 2025), didn’t all get renewed, Bacon is now set to star in the upcoming Hulu adaptation of Southern Bastards. The series, first announced last October, is now moving forward with Bacon joining the cast, as reported by Variety.

The award-winning comic book series Southern Bastards, created by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour, is now being adapted into a TV show. It’s a compelling blend of small-town Americana, intense crime drama, and the passion of high school football. The story starts with a veteran searching for his roots, but quickly spirals into a larger criminal conspiracy. If you enjoy shows like Justified and Ozark, with a touch of Friday Night Lights, you’ll likely be hooked. Here’s what the pilot episode is about:

A strong-willed veteran travels to Craw County, Alabama, to find her father, and unexpectedly uncovers a widespread criminal operation run by a famous former football coach.

Kevin Bacon is the first actor confirmed to star in the new series. More cast members are expected to be announced soon. Bacon will play Earl, the father of the main character, who is a seemingly ordinary man but isn’t afraid to confront the increasing crime in his community. Here’s a description of Earl:

Earl is a strong, down-to-earth army veteran and the son of the famous Sheriff Bert, who once firmly controlled Craw County. He’s determined to rebuild his relationship with his daughter and isn’t intimidated by the challenges of returning to his hometown.

Reinaldo Marcus Green, known for directing films like King Richard and the upcoming Marvel project The Punisher: One Last Kill, will direct the pilot episode. He’s taking over from Nia DaCosta, who directed The Marvels and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. DaCosta will still be involved as an executive producer and will receive credit for the story. The comic book’s creators, Aaron and Latour, will also be executive producers. The pilot episode is being written by Bill Dubuque, who will also be an executive producer and share story credit.

Dubuque is a key creative force behind the upcoming Southern Bastards adaptation. He’s known for his work on projects like Ben Affleck’s The Accountant, but he’s perhaps best known as the creator of Ozark. Given the strong thematic connections between Southern Bastards and Ozark, he’s an ideal choice to bring the comic book’s world to the screen. While many details about the Hulu series are still being finalized, more information will be released as casting and pre-production progress.

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2026-04-10 21:33