Bruce Campbell takes on the Satanic Panic in his new show Hysteria! Drawing on his extensive experience with Universal Studios. Drawn to the role of Chief Dandridge, a police chief tasked with unraveling the truth behind the strange events.

Cast and Creators of Peacock’s original pop-horror thriller series Hysteria! at New York Comic Con

On Day 1 of New York Comic Con, Peacock celebrated its original series Hysteria! with an exclusive panel. The stars of the show, Julie Bowen, Anna Camp, and Bruce Campbell were in attendance. Along with the creators, they discussed their characters and the challenges of portraying them in a horror thriller. The panel also discussed the show’s themes of fear, paranoia, and religious extremism.

Peacock’s original pop-horror thriller series, Hysteria!, tells a tale of murders, kidnappings, and reported supernatural activity that triggers a small-town witch hunt during the “Satanic Panic” of the late 1980s. When a beloved varsity quarterback disappears, a struggling high school heavy metal band of outcasts sees an opportunity. They capitalize on the town’s burgeoning interest in the occult by building a reputation as a Satanic metal band. However, a bizarre series of murders, kidnappings, and reported supernatural activity triggers a witch hunt that leads straight back to them. The series premieres on October 18, 2024, and stars Julie Bowen, Anna Camp, Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, Kezii Curtis, and Nikki Hahn, with Bruce Campbell making recurring guest appearances.

Bruce Campbell Discusses his role as Chief Dandridge

When asked by journalists at New York Comic Con about his character, Campbell stated that he portrayed Dandridge as a beacon of reason amidst the chaos. A steady force determined to discern whether the town’s fears are grounded in reality or simply mass hysteria. Campbell deliberately crafted the character to be the voice of logic and stability, someone the audience could rely on.

My character is trying to figure out whether it’s real or not. He’s a very rational individual that you would want. I’m playing him as the chief of police that people would want. I would want him to be my chief of police.

He’s not a doofus. No, he’s not, and he is not. He does not condescend to the teenagers, either. He goes, dude, just tell me what’s going on. Like, what the hell? You carved a pentagram in your hand? Wow. Tell me about that. Like, what’s going to cause you to do that? You know, that’s a little extreme, don’t you think? -Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell on Why He Joined Peacock’s “Hysteria!”

Campbell, a legend in the horror genre, shed light on the factors that influenced his decision to take on the role. He emphasized the importance of strong writing and his trust in Universal, the studio behind the series, which he referred to as “the horror studio.” Campbell’s history with Universal, including projects like Hercules and Xena, played a significant role in his comfort level with the project.

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Campbell also highlighted the importance of a reliable platform. Stating that working with a major streaming service like Peacock offered more security and visibility than an independent project. He humorously mentioned his wife’s pragmatism in helping him make the decision, emphasizing the importance of choosing projects with a higher likelihood of reaching an audience.

The Satanic Panic Phenomenon

The actor expressed his fascination with the Satanic Panic phenomenon, noting that it exposed the prevalence of disinformation and the power of fear. He found the series’ exploration of these themes intriguing and relevant, even decades later.

Ultimately, Campbell’s decision to join “Hysteria!” stemmed from a combination of factors: the quality of the writing, his trust in the studio, the platform’s reach, and the show’s thought-provoking themes. As fans eagerly await the series premiere. Campbell’s involvement promises to add another layer of intrigue to this chilling exploration of a dark chapter in American history.