Bill Hader may be heading into his darkest role yet. According to Variety, the Emmy-winning Barry star is developing a biographical series for HBO centered on Jim Jones, the infamous cult leader behind the Jonestown massacre. Hader is not only co-writing the project with Daniel Zelman (Damages), but he’s also being eyed to star as Jones — and possibly direct.
For fans of casting speculation, this raises fascinating questions. Known for his brilliant balance of humor and devastating drama in Barry, Hader has shown he can embody complex, troubled figures. But stepping into the shoes of one of America’s most reviled historical figures would demand a career-defining performance.
If the deal closes, Hader would be portraying Jones across the pivotal stages of his life, from a charismatic preacher who championed civil rights to the manipulative cult leader who orchestrated the largest mass murder-suicide in American history. With Hader’s proven skill at portraying internalized tension and charisma-turned-sour, the potential fit is chillingly strong.
Behind the scenes, Hader and Zelman will serve as co-showrunners and executive producers, suggesting Hader’s creative fingerprints will be all over the tone and approach to the series. His history of darkly comic, psychologically intense storytelling could make this a nuanced, unsettling portrayal rather than a simple villain caricature.
Hader’s post-Barry schedule is already packed. He’s recently lent his voice to the hybrid film IF (2024), is set to star opposite Issa Rae in Empress of Serenity, and will voice the lead in The Cat in the Hat animated feature. Still, this Jonestown series could mark a major turning point in how audiences, and Hollywood, see Hader’s range as an actor.
No official casting announcement has been made yet, but if Hader steps into the role, this could be one of the most daring (and controversial) performances of his career.
We’ll be keeping a close watch as this project develops, including how the supporting cast shapes up around him.
