User reviews

Hap & Leonard is a gritty, suspenseful show with interesting, 3-dimensional characters portrayed by very talented actors.

This was truly a fun ride. As other reviewers might have already mentioned, the story and the characters are introduced slowly but you get a feel for the plot, the southern atmosphere and the relationships between the characters. The chemistry, friendship and banter between Hap and Leonard is highly entertaining all on its own, even without the suspenseful, dark "turn" of events which takes place later in the plot.

The show combines a southern, serene and at times somewhat glum atmosphere, the story of an amusing, maybe even (at times) unlikely friendship of two guys and my favourite kind of crime comedy -- not lacking gore and violence on top of that. The latter is bloody but overall very fitting, meeting the tone and the general gritty feel of the show.

Overall, this was a very positive surprise of a (fairly unknown--as it seems) show with a great variety of interesting characters and an entertaining, dark-ish plot. I'm so glad that I found this on amazon prime! Totally recommended.

This show intrigued us from the start and it didn't disappoint. The casting of James Purefoy and Michael Williams as Hap and Leonard as two bickering yet loyal buddies sets the tone for some interesting and entertaining adventures. Hap and Leonard reminds us of how important casting is to any successful production.

The show is peppered with some dark humour yet serious and brutal enough to include some bloody violence. The story line personalities of these two make for some well written and well delivered dialogue between the two individuals.

We hope they have many more adventures in the seasons ahead.

Hap and Leonard's on screen chemistry is seamless. You can feel that these two have been friends and brothers since childhood and there is no forced chemistry as is seen in so many "buddy" movies and tv shows. Their relationship radiates a genuine connection that is a backdrop for the story rather than the focus.

The racial tensions that exist in the show are not forced either but are a backdrop as well to story-telling. A genuine portrayal of both the good and the bad that does not brow beat or try and preach politics to the viewer. So far this has been one of the most rewarding shows to watch in a long time.

I really hope this one sticks around, it is a fantastic effort and will be watching it until the end.

About time the unlikely bond of two great friends came together, one Black one White and the Black guy is gay for a change. I love the Acting in this , the story and the general plot. great stuff. Watch it.Michael Williams was brilliant in 'Boardwalk Empire and I am sad they did-int continue that show however, He (Williams) is a stunning soft cold and warm Actor who can bring any character to life in leaps and bounds.I would hire him in a second for any Role .

A fantastic little show with engaging stories and believable acting. It was canceled far too soon.

Take some of the best acting talent one could ask for and a story that keeps you at the edge of your seat. Fun,excitement,comedy,drama and some real out there violence,this has a little of everything. It is hard for anyone not to be entertained.

If you are not someone who can watch over the top violence you might not want to to take this in. But otherwise TV just doesn't get any better.

Sundance needs to advertise better. Like so many others,I just happened to come across this one.

Word of mouth hopeful spread the word.

Season one is on Netflix with season two beginning 3/15/17. 6 eps each. You'll be wantignfor more I suspect.

Which is an odd choice to kick start the series. Because "Savage Season" was originally not part of the Hap and Leonard book series, it was a stand alone novel with the characters appearing first time ever. What would become known as the "Hap and Leonard Book Series" started with the intense mystery, amateur sleuth books like "Mucho Mojo" and "The Two Bear Mambo", and the rest is history. While the book series has ups and lows as any series, I never got tired of reading all of them.

The TV series is almost I would say dedicated to new and old fans of the books, the casting and the details are all there, so while Joe Lansadale's prose is gone it is a hell of a treat for readers that can approach an on-the-screen version. I am unable to tell how this TV series will sit to newcomers, because the plot ruminates deeply on themes that prevailed in Savage Season (i.e. the idealism of the 60s, and its reverberations into the late 80s) but were lately abandoned in the books which became their own distinct brand of crime mystery novels. And that is unfair as I am leaving out a lot of themes in the novels, really.

So give it a try, and if it lets you down just wait until the second arc comes out. If they adapt Mucho Mojo as it is hinted... or The Two Bear Mambo, or any other book with Hap and Leonard the plot will be much more intense and focused than this one, and the potential to rival with other mystery TV series like "True Detective".

**** W A R N I N G ***** W A R N I N G ***** W A R N I N G****** To all TV producers/television investors:

If you fund a story that is interesting and incorporate this story with great actors like HAP & Leonard the public will find it, watch and covet it. The Sundance network is now on my radar and I hope it is on other folks as well. I also found another quirky show, a comedy, $hidtt's Creek on the P O P Network, but I digress. Some of the previous reviews are funny; folks trying to rationalize why they could enjoy such a different type of show. HAP & Leonard is not simplistic, & it is not a show that is geared to folks missing a few neuro-transmitters or other brain matter. It is really a creative story with very talented characters that most of us know from previous shows. I am so glad these talented folks took a chance on this show and there is a network that has the guts air it. And Sundance....please keep airing these shows. .

Wow...I was just looking for something entertaining to watch over the weekend and clicked on New Series This Week from my TV menu and saw this and read that it took place in the 80's which is when I graduated high school and anyone who grew up in the 80's...all fun and there's no record of it anywhere Lol. So I gave it a shot and what fun it was. Went in with no expectations and enjoyed myself so much I binged on all 5 episodes. Hopefully there will be more. Funny, witty, suspenseful, action, drama, betrayal. This is my kind of entertainment. There is violence & gore. So glad I watched it. Good character development and the banter between Hap & Leonard was absolutely hysterical.

I see a lot of conflicted reviews but at the end of the day, its just a good show.

The subject matter is controversial yet you find yourself in a position where you are always rooting for our loveable duo.

Its not a show for the weak and feeble if ravcial subject matter gets to you easily. There are no rose rinted glasses for the viewers on this ride.

Its gritty, dark, insensitive, and awesome. The storylines seem to flow with little hesitation and keep you icy while you're waiting for the next part of the tale to unfold.

Two men bonded by blood and loss, an unbreakable brotherhood, going up against all odds. That's the real takeaway from all of this.

Just a damn good story of persepctives.

Overall 7/10 Entertainment Value 7.5/10 - MKW God rest his soul. Never turned in a bad performance in his career. He will be missed.

The characters are great and the acting even better. From the first episode I was hooked!

I just watched the first episode of the 2nd season and I thought to myself: *why haven't I written about this yet?*

The first season actually was pretty good, as I remember. Purefoy and Williams had some chemistry, to say the least. Hendricks was hot in her ways. The story's OK, most of the time, but this is not about the story. The real stars of this are the characters in their misguided ways, sometimes funny, sometimes sad.

I'm especially amazed by the supporting cast. Simpson and Henry G. Jackson as Uncle Chester were funny as hell.

I hope this keeps its southern charm and doesn't get boring as the season unfolds. 7.0/10.

The two leads are as different as two people can be and yet have a bond that can't be broken, they're there for each other. Loved their little back & forth quips & snipes at each other. You knew it was brothers trying to get under each others skin. Also liked how they dealt with contemporary issues without being preachy, instead showing that we need to be their for each other.

I found this show a little by accident and I am glad I did.

It's entertaining. Sure sometimes the dialogue can be a little simplistic and even predictable, especially between the two main characters Hap & Leonard, but the performances are great and the story is fun.

All of the actors really show up for their roles in this show, some are just outstanding and make it really engaging to watch.

Its funny, unique and has its own quirkiness, which I really like. So far I am really liking it and glad I found it. I am looking forward to next episodes.

Looking forward to seeing more.

I went into this not expecting much, just another American lightweight drama to fill in sometime during the pandemic - boy was I wrong. I'm not a fan of Purefoy but in this show he is excellent. True he gets out acted by his co-star, but the relationships feels real, the dialogue really works. Funny, sad, hopeful, despairing, uplifting, dark and voilent this show has everything. Only 3 series sadly. Well worth a bingewatch you will love it.

My spoilers are super minor, nothing that will jeopardize your viewing pleasure.

This show keeps getting better and better. I have just finished watching the 4th episode and there is something so quirky about it. It is supposed to take place in the 80's (thereabouts) and centers around crime - trying to locate stolen money and dealing with the results. It is set in Texas with the 2 main characters wearing cowboy boots and hats, giving it a westernish vibe. But then you throw in the spandex wearing, spike-haired, blue eye-shadowed, 80's murderous vixen and the show becomes a little more off kiltered, but in an entirely good way. This mix of characters makes me feel like I am watching a blend of a Guy Ritchie Film and Pulp Fiction turned into a TV show. The violence reminds me of this combo as well. It is extreme and bloody but done with flair and frivolity.

There are some excellent and well-known actors in the show: James Purefoy, Michael Kenneth Williams, and the ever lovely Christina Hendricks. Michael and James have really good chemistry together and It is completely believable that they have been best of friends since childhood. I do have to say, though, that Enrique Murciano's acting was cringe worthy (an ex-lover to Leonard (Michael's character)). It was so over the top. But I have to wonder if the director wanted it to look like that because otherwise one would think that he would have redone the scenes. Fortunately Enrique's role is very minor.

I am rating Hap and Leonard a 8 because of how entertaining, quirky, and amusing it is. The show is not up there with such monumental TV like Breaking Bad or The Wire, but I am surprised that more people aren't watching this and proclaiming its superb entertainment value. Shows like this and Fargo demonstrate that TV can be even more than good writing and acting, they can be art.

A little heavy on the environment of racism in the late 1980s. Even in East Texas. Take it from someone who was there. Racism in the 80s was real just like it always is. Just really not that overt. That aside, really fun show to watch and two main characters really complemented each other.

Great acting is obvious across the board. The stories are timely in this post-Trump America. The direction is seamless and the characterizations are a joy to watch unfold.

With all this going for it (as well as this show being the highest rated of Sundance TV), then why isn't this show renewed? May be that Sundance is too niche. May be that the plots make some people feel uncomfortable. I believe it is because the leads are middle aged and simply don't draw viewers that way other shows do.

It is a shame that I other network wants to pick this show up. Watch, enjoy, then lament your loss.

This is a great show

it's dark

it's funny

has a good story line

I'd have to say it's a guilty pleasure

my only complaint is it was to short

Hope it comes back again only longer

I would compare it to a dark version of My Name is Earl because of it's redneck style

If you haven't seen it I'd say give it a look cause after one episode you will be hooked.

There are times villains steal the show. These two are just so good they should be acknowledged and brought back for their own production sometime in the near future. They were that good... especially 'Angel' (Pollyanna McIntosh).. the alien-amazon, she is captivating-intense. Otherwise there was not much else to really talk about (the script being notably thin) .. and next season, well, we'll just have to wait and see what develops. The rest of the cast is also very good.. (Christina Hendricks was a delightful surprise).. they just did not have much to work with. It could go between a 7-8 rating.. the story-line being the main weakness of this otherwise fairly entertaining first series.

There's a lot of grit, wit, and violence to the show and that's ok. My issue is it meanders very slowly way too much, there's a lot of witty comebacks that just for the sake of wit but don't make a lot of logical sense. The 2 main characters do a lot of really, really dumb things for the sake of creating dangerous, intense situations.