Movies

Donnie Darko Stars Reunite for The Bondsman

BBG News

Despite being a box office disappointment in the early 2000s, particularly due to its release following the September 11 attacks, “Donnie Darko” has since earned the status of a cult classic. Its complex narrative and talented ensemble cast serve as a snapshot of time for viewers. Recently, two cherished cast members, Beth Grant and Jolene Purdy, collaborated once more in the 2025 TV series “The Bondsman” on Prime Video. Interviewing them about their reunion was an endearing experience.

Being a devoted fan of “Donnie Darko,” I was absolutely thrilled to discover that both Grant and Purdy were cast in “The Bondsman” alongside the consistently superb Kevin Bacon, whose character tragically meets his end only to be brought back to life in the opening scene. If given the chance, I’d jump for joy twice over to conduct interviews with these two talented actresses simultaneously.

More About Donnie Darko

1. It was revealed that Christopher Nolan offered some valuable guidance for Jake Gyllenhaal’s character in Donnie Darko.

2. Unveiling the Time Travel Mechanics of Donnie Darko.

3. Prior to The Snyder Cut, these 10 films have sparked intense fan debates due to their directors’ cuts over the years:

a) Blade Runner (Ridley Scott)
b) Alien (Ridley Scott)
c) Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola)
d) The Shining (Stanley Kubrick)
e) Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg)
f) Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese)
g) Heat (Michael Mann)
h) Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 (Quentin Tarantino)
i) Casino Royale (Martin Campbell)
j) The Matrix Revolutions (Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski)

As soon as Beth Grant and Jolene Purdy came into view, I couldn’t help but express my love for “Donnie Darko,” and their faces instantly brightened. After I mentioned how amazing it was to be conversing with them, the conversation that ensued went like this:

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Upon spotting Beth Grant and Jolene Purdy, I couldn’t contain my excitement over “Donnie Darko” and shared it immediately. They both showed clear delight. After expressing my amazement at talking to them, our dialogue unfolded as follows:

  • BETH GRANT: It’s mind blowing for us, too. I tell you, when she walked in, I knew she was doing the role, but when she walked into the table read, I burst into tears and ran. I just jumped up from the table and ran to her because I just couldn’t… I’m so proud of her! That was her first movie.
  • JOLENE PURDY: It was my first audition. It was terrifying, and coming to see you 25 years later on this project was the warmest welcome. I’ve ever had going into a table read, which can be nerve-wracking in itself. But to see your face was just home, you know?
  • BETH GRANT: I’m so proud of you. I mean, forgive me, but I am so proud of her. Just the career that she’s built for herself is amazing.
  • JOLENE PURDY: It’s all the actors I meet along the way that I get to learn things from.

In me, the heartwarming connection between these two women felt as tangible as the emotions portrayed in “The Bondsman.” It was immediately evident that they possess a profound and lasting bond. Their reactions to each other’s kind words were so genuine and moving that I could tell they were deeply touched by one another’s sincerity.

In truth, I was tempted to curl up in a ball and enjoy their captivating presence like a cozy nap, but such an action wouldn’t be beneficial for the job interview aspect.

Or:

Though I felt the urge to roll up into a fetal position and savor their charms as if it were a peaceful slumber, it would have been inappropriate during an interview.

How The Bondsman Was A Full-Circle Experience For Both Actresses

In the film “Donnie Darko”, fans will recall Beth Grant played the character Kitty Farmer, a dance team manager with an antagonistic streak, who is famous for her line “I sometimes question your dedication to Sparkle Motion”. On the other hand, Jolene Purdy embodied Cherita Chen, a teenager tormented by bullying, who harbored complex emotions towards Donnie Darko, played by Jake Gyllenhaal.

Inquiring about Purdy’s experience of collaborating with Beth once more in “The Bondsman“, I wondered if this project marked a significant closure for her. This prompted an engaging conversation between us.

  • JOLENE PURDY: Yes, absolutely. Yeah, I think Cherita was a little more timid than Midge is. Cherita’s grown up into Midge. She’s experienced some things.
  • BETH GRANT: I think this woman has come full [circle] and had quite an arc. Midge works for the devil, and puts me in my place.
  • JOLENE PURDY: A little bit, just a little bit.
  • BETH GRANT: And I’m also playing a character named Kitty, ironically, which is a good sign, I think.

Beth Grant subtly referenced a detail in her character that had me laughing out loud when I recognized it. Even though her last name is different, the actress’ character in the new streaming series has the same first name as her character from “Donnie Darko.” While I wouldn’t be so bold as to say Kitty Farmer would be optimistic about the Halloran family’s dedication to Sparkle Motion, they certainly seem to be a musical family. They may not focus on choreographed dancing, but rather singing and playing instruments instead.

Showrunner Erik Oleson Talked Working With The Donnie Darko Co-Stars

In addition to chatting with Erik Oleson, the showrunner of “The Bondsman,” I discussed not just collaborating with a top-tier actor like Kevin Bacon, but also bringing back the “Donnie Darko” team for fans. It was wonderful to learn that he shared my enthusiasm, and he even mentioned that he hails from Virginia, the same state where Richard Kelly is from and where the movie takes place. Here’s what Oleson shared with me:

It turns out that Jolene and Beth Grant collaborated on Donnie Darko, which felt like a reunion for them. Interestingly, this was Jolene’s debut role, she mentioned to me. In addition, both of them have developed a friendship off-screen, they are quite the pair! Beth Grant, as I found out when I hired her, has been highly praised by other producers for being an absolute joy to work with. Indeed, she is delightful and one of the kindest souls around. Remarkably, my girlfriend and Beth have formed a strong bond off-camera too; they often spend time together now. So, it’s quite enjoyable to see their friendship grow.

I appreciate it when Beth Grant is the type of actress who receives admiration from her peers and can still form close friendships. In essence, I’m a bit envious of Oleson’s girlfriend due to this quality of hers.

He went on, giving some attention to Jolene Purdy, then simply expressed that working on The Bondsman has been an absolute dream role.

Jolene is surprisingly unlike what one might expect an Earthly representative of the devil to appear or act. It was delightful to play off each other in a scene, considering they both acted years ago. These moments felt surreal, as if I, a former nerd from Virginia, was not just sharing space with these people, but directing them and asking them to perform unconventional scenes that I had written. It left me bewildered, thinking, “Wait, what?

I’m thrilled that as a movie enthusiast, I can effortlessly revisit the captivating world of “Donnie Darko” (with a Hulu subscription) and dive straight into the gripping tales of “The Bondsman” (with an Amazon Prime subscription), both in one day without compromising on my other commitments like the Sparkle Motion recital. Here’s to hoping that “The Bondsman” gets renewed for a Season 2, so we can delve deeper into the lives of Grant and Purdy!

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2025-04-23 22:39

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