Hulu’s Onyx Collective has commissioned a pilot episode for a television adaptation of the graphic novel series Southern Bastards. The project reunites the original creators Jason Aaron and Jason Latour, who serve as executive producers, and brings Nia DaCosta on board as the pilot director and co-story writer. This news highlights Hulu’s focus on compelling narratives, with the Nia DaCosta Southern Bastards collaboration attracting significant attention.
Creative Team Behind the Series
The episode’s teleplay is penned by Bill Dubuque, an executive producer who also shares story credit with Nia DaCosta. DaCosta contributes to the series’ direction and executive production through her company, The Once and Future Inc. Matt Olmstead will act as showrunner and executive producer, while Layne Eskridge, overseeing production via POV Entertainment, joins the executive team alongside Gabriel Nadig of Proximity Media and others. Fifth Season is associated as a production partner on the series.
Storyline Focus and Setting
The plot centers on a determined military veteran who returns to Craw County, Alabama, seeking her estranged father. Instead of finding him, she uncovers a dangerous web of organized crime controlled by the most successful high school football coach in the southern United States. This premise sets a tense and dark narrative that explores corruption and violence beneath the surface of a small town.
Recognition and Legacy of the Original Series
Southern Bastards, originally published from 2014 to 2018, received critical acclaim for its gritty storytelling and complex characters. It won the Harvey Award for Best New Series in 2015 and was later honored with multiple Eisner Awards in 2016. These accolades underscore the series’ strong reputation among readers and critics alike, establishing a high bar for the television adaptation.
Key Creators’ Backgrounds and Previous Work
Bill Dubuque, known for co-creating the Emmy-nominated Netflix drama Ozark, brings extensive experience in crime storytelling to the project. His television credits include three nominations for Best Drama Series, and he is currently developing the crime drama M.I.A. at Peacock. In film, Dubuque has written well-known features such as The Judge, A Family Man, and both installments of The Accountant.
Nia DaCosta’s role as the pilot director marks her second television directing credit, following her work on two episodes of the critically acclaimed British show Top Boy. She is better known for her work in film, including the MCU movie The Marvels, Jordan Peele’s reboot of The Candyman, and her debut feature Little Woods, which starred Tessa Thompson. DaCosta is also directing the anticipated sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
Matt Olmstead’s Showrunning Experience
Matt Olmstead, who will manage day-to-day production as showrunner, co-created the popular shows Chicago Med and Chicago PD, which have long-running success with 11 and 13 seasons respectively. His background also includes leadership roles on series such as Prison Break, NYPD Blue, Chicago Fire, and FBI International, bringing seasoned expertise to the adaptation.
Industry Representation and Ongoing Collaboration
The production team features a variety of prominent representatives: Dubuque is represented by CAA and Goodman Genow; DaCosta by CAA, Entertainment 360, Casarotto Ramsay, and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka; Olmstead by WME and Goodman Genow; while Aaron and Latour are represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Harris Miller. Layne Eskridge has representation through WME. These alliances reflect the project’s high profile and the strong backing from agents and managers in the industry.
The Significance of This Project for Hulu and the Creators
This series adaptation of Southern Bastards represents a crucial step for Hulu in expanding its portfolio of original, character-driven dramas that emphasize complex, regional stories. The involvement of Nia DaCosta, whose rising career spans both television and film with a focus on intense, provocative themes, adds creative weight and anticipation to the project. As production progresses, attention will focus on how the show captures the dark atmosphere of the graphic novels while navigating issues of crime, family, and identity in the South.
