When Bill Hader left “Saturday Night Live“ in 2013, it was anybody’s guess where he would end up and what he would end up doing. It was hard to deny Hader’s extensive talent and abilities, whether it be for impressions, or bizarre characters. We don’t think anybody could have predicted he would bring “Barry” into the world for a tremendous four-season run on HBO. “Barry” may have wrapped in 2023, but HBO still has plans with Hader for a potential series about Jonestown.
Even though “Barry” could be darkly comedic, there was quite a lot of emphasis on the dark. After all, it’s a story about a former hitman who was quite good at what he did. One can imagine that dark vibes would be even more emphasized in a series about Jonestown. Jonestown was a cult settlement in Guyana led by Jim Jones and founded by him in 1958. Under his direction, over 900 people killed themselves with poisoned Flavor Aid in 1978. So, you can see where this would not exactly be dark comedy like “Barry.”
Right now, reports indicate Hader would be co-writing and co-creating the show with Daniel Zelman. Zelman had previously written for and created the legal drama, “Damages.” Though it is not confirmed at this time if Hader will be starring in the Jonestown project, he would be looking to direct the series. This would follow in line with Hader’s work on “Barry,” which saw him increasingly taking the director’s chair with the fourth season being entirely directed by him.
Given the commercial and critical success HBO shared with Hader on “Barry,” one would have to imagine they’d want to give this program a chance, right? We’ll let you know as we hear more details and if HBO decides to ask for a pilot or do a direct pick-up. There’s a lot of potential here and you don’t need to ask us twice if we want to see Bill Hader in any capacity.
Also, we’re already asking if Steve Buscemi will star and Martin Scorsese will direct. (Watch “The Studio” on Apple TV+ to understand the comment.)
