Watch Hap and Leonard

Hap and Leonard is a gripping crime drama that premiered on Sundance Channel in 2016. This show is an adaptation of a book series of the same name by Joe R. Lansdale. The show follows the story of two lifelong friends, Hap Collins (James Purefoy) and Leonard Pine (Michael Kenneth Williams) from East Texas, who are just trying to make ends meet. Hap is a white, middle-aged, liberal-minded man who works as a mechanic, while Leonard is his black gay friend who served in Vietnam and has a criminal past. Despite their differences, these two men have an unbreakable bond and always seem to find themselves in the middle of trouble.

The show is set in the late 1980s, in a small town in East Texas. The first season starts with Hap and Leonard's decision to dig up a sunken car on the bottom of a nearby river in search of treasure they heard might be inside. Instead of finding gold, they discover the body of a young African-American boy who had gone missing years earlier. Hap and Leonard take it upon themselves to solve this crime, which soon turns into a dangerous and complicated investigation. Their search for the truth leads them down a dangerous path full of violence and corruption, where they are forced to confront their own prejudices and biases.

Each season of Hap and Leonard focuses on a new mystery that Hap and Leonard find themselves embroiled in. The second season is set in the late 80s, and sees the duo trying to help a friend find her daughter who has been brainwashed and taken to a sinister religious cult. In the third season, set in the early 90s, they set out to find a missing boy who may be connected to a new designer drug that is creating chaos in the town.

One of the strongest aspects of Hap and Leonard is the chemistry between James Purefoy and Michael Kenneth Williams. The two actors have a fantastic on-screen rapport that lends an air of authenticity to their characters' friendship, which becomes the backbone of the show. The characters' individual personalities are also well-defined, with Hap being the more subdued, introspective one, and Leonard more outwardly expressive.

The supporting cast is also impressive, with many recognizable names including Andrew Dice Clay, Louis Gossett Jr., and Tiffany Mack. Jesse C. Boyd plays the role of Hap's sister's boyfriend who is a Vietnam veteran and becomes involved in their investigations. He makes a great addition to the cast and brings his own unique perspective to the stories.

The show's writing is also top-notch, drawing on the gritty and colorful world of Lansdale's novels. While the stories can be violent and brutal, the show always stays grounded in its characters, never sacrificing its humanity for gratuitous thrills. Hap and Leonard is not just a crime thriller, but also a character study of two men who have been pushed to the fringes of society and yet still remain resilient in the face of adversity.

The show's production design is equally impressive, recreating the look and feel of East Texas in the late 80s and early 90s. The costumes and sets all feel authentic to the time period, creating an immersive experience for viewers.

In summary, Hap and Leonard is a well-crafted crime drama that combines gritty action and suspense with strong character development. Fans of the book series will appreciate the show's faithful adaptation of Lansdale's work, while new viewers will be drawn in by the captivating performances of James Purefoy and Michael Kenneth Williams. With each season taking on a different case, the show manages to stay fresh and intriguing. Overall, Hap and Leonard is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas who are looking for a show that not only delivers thrills but also explores larger themes of friendship, prejudice, and societal corruption.

Hap and Leonard is a series that ran for 3 seasons (18 episodes) between March 2, 2016 and on Sundance Channel