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Kevin Bacon is doing something new. In The Bondsman, his new Prime Video series, he’s not just acting—he’s also stepping in as a musician and songwriter. And for someone who’s kept those two worlds separate for decades, that’s a big deal.
© Getty ImagesThe actor showed up at the New York premiere on March 31 in full rocker mode: black jeans, leather jacket, and his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, by his side. Their son, Travis Bacon, was there too. He was joined on the black carpet by co-stars Jennifer Nettles, Jolane Purdy, and Beth Grant.
We caught up with Bacon to talk about the show, the role, and why now was the right time to blend his love for music with his acting career.
A show that does It all
© Getty Images for Prime VideoThe series kicks off with a wild premise—someone dies, then comes back to life—blending horror, comedy, and heartfelt family moments. It’s this mix that immediately drew Kevin Bacon in. "I hope all those things happen in the comfort of your own home. You can see something funny and touching family-wise and also scary. And listen, the show, when I heard about it, I was like, 'There's nothing quite like this that I've read.' So I was into it."
Looking back at the characters that left a mark
When asked which of his past characters he’d revisit and which he wouldn’t, Bacon didn’t hesitate. "Well, I would say that I would bring back the character that I played in Tremors. I've always wanted to see what happened to that guy so many years later. In terms of a character that I wouldn't bring back, I don't know, quite a few of them. Maybe Sleepers or The River Wild. I don't know. I've played a lot of bad guys."
Music finds a way in
© WireImageBacon has always kept his music and acting careers separate, but this time the role called for both. "Well, it was already in the script that the character was a musician who hadn't picked up a guitar in 15 years. And then there was some discussion about whether or not maybe I would write some songs for it. And I said, 'Sure.' And then Jennifer Nettles got cast, and when Jen got cast, and I might add that she got cast because she was the best person to play the part, not because she was a singer or a songwriter, we just started writing."
From stage to screen: Bacon’s passion projects collide
© Getty Images for Songwriters HaFans of Bacon's band, The Bacon Brothers, experienced a unique opportunity when some of the cast performed live. The band has been around for decades, and Bacon’s kept it separate from his acting—until now. "Oh, well, listen, we've had the band, the Bacon Brothers, for, I don't know, since '95 or something like that. That's, what, 30 years or something like that? It's been 20; I don't know. It's been a long time. We've been at it for a long time. And so, I've always resisted combining the two, music and movies, or TV, or whatever, acting. I've just never been, and I've never wanted to put a square peg in a round hole. But I love playing. I love writing. I love acting." As for why The Bondsman is a must-watch, Bacon keeps it simple: "Oh, well, it's such a wild ride. You'll be really surprised by what goes on in this show. I don't really think there's anything quite like it."
