Key Takeaways
- Actor Will Ferrell reunites with 'SNL' cast members for the new series.
- The show follows Lonnie Hawkins, a golfer trying to recapture his career later in life.
- Ferrell collaborates with Harper Steele and Chris Henchy on the project.
Actor Will Ferrell has starred in 'The Hawk,' a new Netflix golf comedy series that sees him reunite with longtime collaborators from 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) and his real-life friends. The show, which begins streaming on Thursday, features familiar faces such as Molly Shannon and Chris Parnell.
In an interview, Ferrell recalled the special chemistry that emerged during the production of 'The Hawk,' noting that it was different from other projects due to the close-knit group of creators. ‘Some of the more fun parts were just sitting around the monitor, and Molly [Shannon] and Chris Parnell and I reading “SNL” stories,’ he said.
Ferrell plays the lead character, Lonnie Hawkins, a golfer whose career peaked in 2004 but is now trying to make a comeback. The series also stars Harper Steele as Lonnie’s close friend and fellow golfer, and Chris Henchy as the director of the show. Other cast members include Molly Shannon as Lonnie’s estranged wife, Stacy; Jimmy Tatro as Lonnie’s resentful son Lance; and Fortune Feimster as Sam, Lonnie’s caddie.
Shannon, who has collaborated with Ferrell for decades, dating back to their time on 'SNL' in 1995, said it was challenging to play Stacy. ‘It was hard because I’m so close to Will,’ she admitted. Tatro echoed similar sentiments, saying his character’s resentment towards Ferrell made the role amusing: ‘It was funny to hate someone so much in a show that I admire so much in real life.’
Ferrell expressed his fascination with the world of golf and how it drives its practitioners crazy. 'I’ve always been fascinated with the world of golf,' he said. 'It’s like such a tortured existence for these men and women who just stand over a ball six hours a day taking shots and have to be perfect.'
The project was created alongside longtime friends, adding an extra layer of personal connection to the series. Ferrell added, ‘The Hawk’ was created by me, who also stars as the lead character, Lonnie Hawkins, alongside my real-life close friends: former “SNL” writer Harper Steele and “The Other Guys” director Chris Henchy.
With 'The Hawk' set to debut on Netflix, viewers can look forward to a series that combines humor with the unique world of professional golf. The show promises to be a blend of comedy and drama as Lonnie Hawkins navigates his personal and professional life.
Some of the more fun parts were just sitting around the monitor, and Molly [Shannon] and Chris Parnell and I reading “SNL” stories.
Will Ferrell, Actor
It was hard because I’m so close to Will.
Molly Shannon, Actor
It was funny to hate someone so much in a show that I admire so much in real life.
Jimmy Tatro, Actor
