Kevin Bacon's Latest Role in Hulu's Adaptation of "Southern Bastards"
Robert Spencer
Published May 17, 2026
Published on April 9, 2026, at 3:49 PM EDT, ScreenRant features Adam Bentz, a seasoned journalist with nearly 5,000 published pieces, including insightful features and curated lists. His academic background includes a degree in creative writing and English with a focus on screenwriting from Southern New Hampshire University. Bentz has also contributed as a writer and journalist to The Borgen Project, a notable organization dedicated to combating global poverty. Among his diverse portfolio, Bentz takes pride in curating a viral Leonardo DiCaprio compilation that garnered over 150K views. Additionally, he maintains an active interest in film criticism through his personal blog.
Bacon has joined the cast of Hulu's upcoming series, which draws inspiration from an acclaimed comic book, promising to infuse the adaptation with his signature charisma. While widely recognized for his roles in classic '80s movies such as Friday the 13th, Diner, and his standout performance in Footloose, Bacon's recent work spans a variety of projects. These include directing and premiering a film at SXSW last month, as well as contributing to Netflix's limited series Sirens and the now-cancelled Prime Video series The Bondsman.
Hulu's Southern Bastards series, adapted from Jason Aaron and Jason LaTour's comic book—honored with the 2015 Harvey Award for Best New Series and the 2016 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series—features Bacon in the lead role. The pilot episode was greenlit by Hulu in October 2026.
What The Southern Bastards Series Explores
The narrative centers on a determined military veteran returning to Craw County, Alabama, seeking her missing father, only to uncover a deadly web of organized crime controlled by the region's most formidable high school football coach.
Bacon portrays Earl, the offspring of Craw County's notorious Sheriff Bert, who once dominated the town with an unyielding grip. As a resilient Army veteran, Earl aims to mend ties with his distant daughter while challenging the very community he once knew intimately.
Key Cast Members of Hulu's Southern Bastards
The pilot production comes from Proximity Media, the studio behind Ryan Coogler's Oscar-winning screenplay for Sinners. Directing duties go to Reinaldo Marcus Green, whose recent works include King Richard, the HBO miniseries We Own This City, Bob Marley: One Love, and the forthcoming Disney+ special The Punisher: One Last Kill.
Supporting the project are writers Bill Dubuque (Ozark) and Nia DaCosta, known for her roles in Candyman, The Marvels, Hedda, and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The script is penned by Dubuque, while Matt Olmstead, celebrated for NBC's Chicago Fire, oversees the showrunning duties. Production partners include Disney's Onyx Collective, POV Entertainment, and Fifth Season.
Kevin Bacon's profile reveals a multifaceted career spanning acting, musical theater, and producing. His debut on-screen appearance came in Animal House (1978), and he continues to engage audiences through various platforms, including social media interactions and live events.
Follow Birthdate: July 8, 1958
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Occupation: Actor, Musician, Producer
Notable Works: Animal House (1978)
First Role: Animal House (1978)
Spouse: Not specified
