Kevin Bacon Shares the Similarities Between Himself and His ‘Bondsman’ Character

Kevin Bacon has portrayed an impressive variety of characters throughout his extensive career, but it’s his new role in the series “The Bondsman” that has the 66-year-old actor enduring quite a tumultuous journey as Hub Halloran, a demon-hunter in search of redemption.

“This show was an enjoyable challenge for me, as it involves a range of physical demands that I really appreciate. There’s a lot of running, jumping, fighting, and even some underwater scenes,” Bacon shared in a recent interview with TODAY.com.

“It really comes down to kicking demon butt,” he chuckles.

The new Prime series, which debuted on April 3, follows a bounty hunter (Bacon) who is murdered and then brought back to life by Satan to help recapture escaped demons, so it’s bound to be quite a hellish experience. Thankfully for Bacon, it’s hell in all the right ways.

“What I find particularly enjoyable is that this character is a total badass, yet he also has a childlike quality,” Bacon remarks about his role. “He’s living in his mom’s garage, struggling to get things right with his ex-wife, and is estranged from his son. His life is quite chaotic.”

This complex backstory is precisely what drew him to the part. “When you’re playing someone who’s ultimately the hero of a story, it’s intriguing to have that level of complexity.”

Produced by Erik Oleson, “The Bondsman” also features Beth Grant as Kitty Halloran, Bacon’s tough mother, Maxwell Jenkins as his son Cade, and Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland as the ex-wife he still has feelings for.

The series is a campy, often gory blend of comedy, action, and horror as Bacon takes on a plethora of demons in a mission assigned to him by the Devil.

A veteran of the genre, the “Footloose” actor has appeared in various horror films, including the classic “Friday the 13th,” “Hollow Man,” and “Tremors.”

Beyond its genre trappings, “The Bondsman” also serves as a metaphor for personal redemption, with the phrase “to hell and back” carrying both literal and figurative weight.

Kevin Bacon vs. Hub Halloran: Similar or different?

Although Bacon admits he doesn’t see himself in Hub’s alter ego, they do share a love for music.

For decades, Bacon has toured with his brother, Michael, as part of their musical duo, The Bacon Brothers. Hub, a failed musician, gave Bacon the ideal chance to blend two of his passions in “The Bondsman.”

“During the pitch for (‘The Bondsman’), it was suggested that I might have fun writing some songs, and after Jennifer (Nettles) was cast, it was clear she was the right choice for the role, both as an actress and as an incredible singer and songwriter,” Bacon shared with Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie on TODAY on April 3.

“Initially, we wrote a song, which got rejected, but we kept going and ended up with three of our songs in the show,” he added.

However, music isn’t the only thing that connects Bacon and Hub. He remarks that Hub’s tranquil approach to chaos is something he can identify with.

“Part of the humor comes from Hub’s cool demeanor when all this craziness surrounds him. He responds, ‘Okay, I’m back from the dead and need to hunt these demons. Let me figure out how to do that.’ If anything, that’s a quality I can relate to,” Bacon explains.

Big screen vs. little screen: Which does Kevin Bacon prefer?

“The Bondsman” is not Bacon’s first foray into television. He also starred in the 2019 cop drama “City on a Hill,” the 2016 comedy “I Love Dick,” and the 2013 serial killer series “The Following,” among others.

In addition, he will star alongside Julianne Moore in the upcoming Netflix series, “Sirens,” set to premiere on May 22.

Having worked in both film and television, does Bacon have a preference for one over the other?

“When I started, my main ambitions were to act in movies and on stage. Those were my two dreams,” he reflects. “It’s hard to believe, but back then, transitioning from film to television was often seen as giving up.”

“Now, numerous movie stars have made that shift, and I embrace it. I would never turn down a television opportunity,” Bacon adds. “I also have a great love for movies; I go to see them roughly once a week. I enjoy the theater experience, from the popcorn to the atmosphere, as it genuinely brings me joy.”