Regardless of being one of many extra notable field workplace flops of the early 2000s, thanks partly to its post-9/11 launch date, Donnie Darko has grow to be one a bona fide cult traditional, and is a time (journey) capsule for its sprawling and wildly gifted ensemble solid. Two of the twisty sci-fi thriller’s beloved solid members, Beth Grant and Jolene Purdy, reunited for the brand new 2025 TV sequence The Bondsman for Prime Video, and speaking to them about working collectively once more was a downright cute expertise.
As a large Donnie Darko fan who thinks it’s simply among the finest motion pictures from the 2000s, I used to be over the moon to see each Grant and Purdy as a part of The Bondsman’s solid alongside the at all times wonderful Kevin Bacon (whose character will get killed off within the very first scene earlier than being resurrected). And I’d doubly over that very same moon to interview the 2 actresses on the identical time.
The very second Beth Grant and Jolene Purdy had been in my line of sight, I instantly voiced my Donnie Darko fandom, they usually each completely lit up. After I famous that it was a bit of mindblowing to be speaking to them, the next trade occurred:
- BETH GRANT: It is thoughts blowing for us, too. I let you know, when she walked in, I knew she was doing the function, however when she walked into the desk learn, I burst into tears and ran. I simply jumped up from the desk and ran to her as a result of I simply could not… I am so pleased with her! That was her first film.
- JOLENE PURDY: It was my first audition. It was terrifying, and coming to see you 25 years in a while this undertaking was the warmest welcome. I’ve ever had going right into a desk learn, which may be nerve-wracking in itself. However to see your face was simply house, you recognize?
- BETH GRANT: I am so pleased with you. I imply, forgive me, however I’m so pleased with her. Simply the profession that she’s constructed for herself is wonderful.
- JOLENE PURDY: It is all of the actors I meet alongside the best way that I get to be taught issues from.
The real love and affection beaming off of each ladies was as palpable as The Bondsman‘s pentiful gore, and it was immediately clear that they share an impressively sturdy bond themselves. To the purpose the place they each appeared sincerely touched by the opposite’s compliments.
For actual, I may have crawled into the fetal place and napped snugly beneath the heat of their personalities, however that would not have accomplished very a lot on the interview aspect of issues.
How The Bondsman Was A Full-Circle Expertise For Each Actresses
As Donnie Darko followers will little question bear in mind, Beth Grant took on the function of the antagonistic dance staff momager Kitty Farmer, who delivered one of many film’s most iconic traces with “Typically I doubt your dedication to Sparkle Movement.” In the meantime, Jolene Purdy portrayed the bullied teen Cherita Chen, who held difficult emotions for Jake Gyllenhaal’s titular quasi-hero.
Figuring out that Richard Kelly’s debut characteristic was additionally the primary performing gig that Purdy landed, I requested her if working with Beth once more for The Bondsman felt like a full-circle second for her, and it led to a different enjoyable trade:
- JOLENE PURDY: Sure, completely. Yeah, I believe Cherita was a bit of extra timid than Midge is. Cherita’s grown up into Midge. She’s skilled some issues.
- BETH GRANT: I believe this lady has come full [circle] and had fairly an arc. Midge works for the satan, and places me in my place.
- JOLENE PURDY: Just a little bit, just a bit bit.
- BETH GRANT: And I am additionally enjoying a personality named Kitty, paradoxically, which is an efficient signal, I believe.
Beth Grant alluded to a Bondsman element that made me cackle out loud once I realized it. Although her surname might not be the identical, the actress’ character within the new streaming present shares the identical first identify as her Donnie Darko matriarch. Although I might dare say Kitty Farmer would have full optimism concerning the Halloran household’s dedication to Sparkle Movement. They’re fairly the musical household, even when it is extra about singing and enjoying devices than choreographed dancing.
Showrunner Erik Oleson Talked Working With The Donnie Darko Co-Stars
I additionally talked to The Bondsman showrunner Erik Oleson about not solely working with a stellar lead like Kevin Bacon, but in addition about ushering this Donnie Darko reunion to followers. I used to be delighted to listen to he was simply as excited, and he even famous he is from Virginia, which is the place Richard Kelly is from, and the place he set the film in query. This is what Oleson advised me:
I imply, they labored collectively on Donnie Darko, and it was like a reunion. That was truly Jolene’s first function, she advised me, that was her very first thing. Look, I imply, each of them have grow to be mates off-screen. They’re simply so cool. Beth Grant, truthfully, once I solid her, different showrunners had been emailing me like, ‘You might be in for such a deal with, as a result of she is such a dream to work with.’ And she or he is, she’s simply one of many kindest, most wonderful human beings. And has grow to be actually good mates with my girlfriend off-script, like, they hang around collectively now. So it is actually enjoyable.
I really like that Beth Grant is the form of actress who not solely earns praise-filled feedback from former colleagues, however also can nonetheless handle to grow to be somebody’s new BFF. I suppose what I am saying is that I am jealous of Oleson’s girlfriend.
He continued, specializing in Jolene Purdy a bit earlier than plainly stating how a lot of a dream gig The Bondsman has been.
Jolene is simply absolutely the reverse of what you’d suppose the satan’s agent on Earth would seem like and behave like. It was actually enjoyable to form of bounce these two off of each other in a scene a long time after that they had made their scenes collectively. I believe these are these Hollywood pincher moments the place you are like, I used to be a nerd rising up in Virginia. How am I even in the identical room with these individuals, a lot much less getting to inform them, ‘Hey, are you able to say this, stand over there, and do that loopy scene that I simply wrote?’ I am like, ‘Wait, what?’
Fortunately, followers can rewatch Donnie Darko (with a Hulu subscription) after which binge via The Bondsman (with an Amazon Prime subscription) all in sooner or later with out having to cancel too many different plans, comparable to attending the Sparkle Movement recital. Be part of me in hoping The Bondsman will get renewed for Season 2 to see extra from Grant and Purdy.