Hulu Orders Southern Bastards Pilot: Ozark, Marvels Creators

Get ready for some gritty Southern crime drama, because Hulu's Onyx Collective just ordered a pilot for "Southern Bastards," based on the acclaimed graphic novel series!

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on Hulu's New Pilot

Hulu's Onyx Collective has officially ordered a pilot for "Southern Bastards," an adaptation of the acclaimed Image Comics series.
The powerhouse creative team includes "Ozark" co-creator Bill Dubuque, "The Marvels" director Nia DaCosta, and "Chicago PD" showrunner Matt Olmstead.
The story will follow a tenacious military veteran who returns to her Alabama hometown only to uncover a deep web of organized crime controlled by a ruthless high school football coach.

Alright, folks, buckle up! If you're a fan of dark, atmospheric crime stories with a distinctly Southern flavor, Hulu has some seriously exciting news for you. The streaming giant, through its Onyx Collective, has officially greenlit a pilot for a new drama series called "Southern Bastards." And trust us, the talent they've assembled for this project is nothing short of incredible.

This isn't just any new show; it's an adaptation of the multi-award-winning graphic novel series by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour. If you know anything about the comics, you're probably already buzzing. If not, prepare for a dive into a world where high school football reigns supreme, but beneath the Friday night lights, a much darker game is being played.

Diving Deep into the Gritty Heart of Craw County, Alabama

So, what exactly are we getting into with "Southern Bastards"? The official logline paints a vivid, intense picture: it follows "a tenacious military vet into Craw County, Alabama, in search of her estranged father. What she finds is a murderous hornet's nest of organized crime run by the winningest high school football coach in the South." Yeah, you read that right – a high school football coach is the kingpin. Talk about local heroes with dark secrets!

Fans of the graphic novels will likely recognize this setup. The "military vet" in question is widely expected to be Roberta Tubb, one of the original comic series' central figures. Given that original creators Jason Aaron and Jason Latour are executive producing, it seems like Hulu is committed to staying true to the source material's intense and unflinching narrative.

The original comics are steeped in themes of small-town loyalty, generational trauma, and the twisted nature of hero worship, all set against a backdrop of Alabama's love for BBQ, high school football, and, unfortunately, organized crime. This show promises to bring that same authentic, yet terrifying, atmosphere to your screen.

The Dream Team Assembled to Bring This Southern Saga to Life

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One look at the names attached to the "Southern Bastards" pilot, and you know Hulu is serious about this project. They've brought together some of the biggest talents in TV and film to craft this story.

A Trio of Talented Storytellers Driving the Narrative

Bill Dubuque: This name should immediately grab your attention if you love a good crime drama. Dubuque is best known as the co-creator of Netflix's Emmy Award-winning hit series "Ozark," which ran for four critically acclaimed seasons. He's also penned films like "The Judge" and "The Accountant" (and its sequel!). His experience with complex characters and morally ambiguous worlds makes him a perfect fit for Craw County. Dubuque wrote the teleplay for "Southern Bastards" and shares a co-story credit with Nia DaCosta, in addition to executive producing. He even has an overall deal with Fifth Season, one of the production companies involved.
Nia DaCosta: A director on the rise, DaCosta is set to direct the pilot episode, bringing her unique vision to the screen. She's fresh off directing the MCU pic "The Marvels" and the horror reboot "Candyman," and she recently wrapped "Hedda" starring Tessa Thompson. Her next big project is directing the highly anticipated "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple." While she's primarily known for film, "Southern Bastards" will be her second TV directing project, having previously helmed two episodes of the critically acclaimed British series "Top Boy." She's also executive producing through her company, The Once and Future Inc.
Matt Olmstead: Stepping in as the showrunner and executive producer, Olmstead is a true veteran of the small screen, especially in the realm of procedural and serialized crime dramas. He's the co-creator of two "One Chicago" hits, "Chicago Med" (now in its 11th season!) and "Chicago P.D." (in its 13th season). His extensive resume also includes serving as showrunner on iconic shows like "Prison Break," "NYPD Blue," "Chicago Fire," and "FBI International." His steady hand will be crucial in navigating the sprawling criminal empire of "Southern Bastards."

The Original Minds and Key Producers Guiding the Adaptation

Of course, we can't forget the brilliant minds who birthed this gritty world: Jason Aaron and Jason Latour. The creators of the original graphic novels are both on board as executive producers, ensuring the series honors their vision. Their work on "Southern Bastards" earned them serious accolades, including the 2015 Harvey Award for Best New Series and multiple Eisner Awards in 2016 (including Best Continuing Series and Best Writer for Aaron).

Aaron himself spoke about the influences behind the comics, noting a certain filmmaking duo:

"When I talk about the Coen Brothers, it's their ability to juggle comedy and drama from scene to scene, sometimes within the same moment, and that's really hard to do. Just looking at some of the Coen Brothers' darkest movies, they are also some of their funniest, and that's what I'm shooting for." — Jason Aaron, Co-creator of 'Southern Bastards'

Additional executive producers include Layne Eskridge via POV Entertainment, Gabrielle Nadig, and the team at Proximity Media, known for their commitment to culturally rich storytelling. The pilot is produced by Onyx Collective, POV Entertainment, and Proximity Media, in association with Fifth Season, all lending robust support to the project.

From Award-Winning Comic Pages to Potential Television Phenomenon

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"Southern Bastards" first burst onto the scene in 2014, published by Image Comics, and ran for 21 issues until 2018. It quickly became a fan and critical favorite, celebrated for its unique blend of Southern noir, intense character studies, and a brutal examination of power dynamics in a small town. The graphic novel series isn't just about crime; it's a deep dive into the culture and psyche of a specific region, where traditions can be both a comfort and a curse.

The first volume, "Here Was a Man," introduced us to characters like Earl Tubb, an old man returning to Craw County with a big stick and some family business to settle, and the formidable Coach Euless Boss, whose trophies aren't the only things he's hiding under the bleachers. This rich, complex narrative makes it ripe for a compelling television adaptation.

What Comes Next for the 'Southern Bastards' Pilot on Hulu?

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So, now that the pilot has been ordered, what's next? It's important to remember that this is a pilot order, not a full series greenlight. This means Hulu and Onyx Collective will be creating the first episode to see if the concept, cast, and creative vision can translate successfully to a full series.

If the pilot gets a strong reception internally and excites the network executives, we could then see a full series order. Details regarding casting, potential release dates for the pilot, or even a full series are still under wraps. However, the involvement of such high-caliber talent certainly bodes well for its future.

Keep a close eye on Hulu and Onyx Collective announcements! Should "Southern Bastards" move forward to a full series, it promises to be a powerful and unmissable addition to the streaming landscape, potentially even appearing on Disney+ outside the US given Onyx Collective's ties.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 'Southern Bastards' Pilot

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What is the "Southern Bastards" pilot about? The pilot follows a tenacious military veteran who returns to her Alabama hometown, Craw County, to find her estranged father. Instead, she uncovers a ruthless organized crime network run by the town's legendary high school football coach. Who is involved in creating the "Southern Bastards" Hulu pilot? The pilot boasts a stellar team including Bill Dubuque ("Ozark") as writer and executive producer, Nia DaCosta ("The Marvels," "Candyman") as director and executive producer, and Matt Olmstead ("Chicago P.D.," "Prison Break") as showrunner and executive producer. Original graphic novel creators Jason Aaron and Jason Latour are also executive producers. When will the "Southern Bastards" pilot be released on Hulu? Hulu has only ordered the pilot at this time. There is no official release date for the pilot, nor for a potential full series. More details, including casting and a premiere schedule, will be announced if the pilot is picked up for a full series. Where can I read the original "Southern Bastards" graphic novels? The "Southern Bastards" graphic novel series, created by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour, was originally published by Image Comics between 2014 and 2018. You can typically find trade paperbacks or digital versions through comic book retailers or online platforms.