Bruce Campbell returns to TV on AMC’s Lodge 49 on Sept. 17

Bruce Campbell, everyone’s favorite B movie actor makes a triumphant return to the small screen in AMC’s Lodge 49.

That’s right. Bruce Campbell is back, baby! The actor will be guest starring on Lodge 49 in a three-episode arc starting Monday, Sept. 17 on AMC.

So, fans gather around your TVs because you don’t want to miss his return.

We have been anticipating this series since November 2017 when we first reported his involvement with the Paul Giamatti produced venture. Fresh off his whirlwind Hail to the Chin book tour the actor went to film his role. Frankly, we were amazed that he decided to go right back to work but we’re glad he did.

If you haven’t been following Lodge 49, here is a quick rundown on what the show is about courtesy of AMC:

"“Lodge 49 is a light-hearted, endearing modern fable set in Long Beach, California about a disarmingly optimistic local ex-surfer, Dud (Wyatt Russell), who’s drifting after the death of his father and collapse of the family business. Dud finds himself on the doorstep of a rundown fraternal lodge where a middle-aged plumbing salesman and “Luminous Knight” of the order, Ernie (Brent Jennings), welcomes him into a world of cheap beer, easy camaraderie and the promise of Alchemical mysteries that may — or may not — put Dud on the path to recover the idyllic life he’s lost.”"

However, it is MUCH more than that description. It is about finding the magic in everyday life. The world of the Lynx is filled with the quirky characters of the Lodge and how they interact with one another. The cast includes talented acting veterans Eric Allan Kramer (Robin Hood: Men in Tights), Linda Emond (Madam Secretary), Sonya Cassidy (Humans), David Ury (Rob Zombie regular, 31, 3 from Hell) Chicago comedy legend, David Pasquesi (Veep) and the brilliant actor, Kenneth Welsh (Twin Peaks).

Searching for Captain or the Man of Many Names

Bruce plays a man who is known by many names specifically Gary Green and “Captain.” Before he physically arrives, he can be heard on the speaker phone during a board meeting in episode 3, Corpus. Any fan of the actor will identify his voice right away.

Throughout the series, he is spoken of in reverential and hushed tones. He is like Oz, the man behind the curtain and all we know is that he is a business titan that appears to own quite a bit of property in Southern California and “certain parts of Baja.”

Elusive and unseen he is described by one character as “the shadow of a dream that never was.” So, right away you can tell he is somewhat of a legend among the denizens of Long Beach.

How does Bruce view Gary? In my recent conversation with him, he had this to say about the man who would be king of So Cal:

"“I like characters that are flawed or have problems. Material isn’t interesting without conflict and self-conflict and self-loathing. I like anybody that has multiple things going on. On one hand, he is incredibly successful and on the other hand, he’s kind of a criminal. His personal life has gone completely down the s******. I thought it was an interesting character who was doing well and then not doing well at all.”"

For fans of Ash vs Evil Dead, Brisco County, Jr. and Burn Notice, I have seen his story arc and I can tell you this is one of his best performances ever. It is Bruce as we have never seen him before. Tightly wound and vulnerable at the same time.

Leave Your Special Skills at the Door

This is a regular guy. Not a mythical character with a chainsaw hand, not a Harvard educated bounty hunter or an ex-Navy Seals operative. Gary Green/Captain lives in a moral grey area. He follows his own set of rules.

His portrayal harkens back to his turn on Homicide: Life on the Street. Jake Rodzinski is also a type A driven personality who struggles to keep it together at times. Captain is the same way.

As always with Lodge 49, the writing is superlative and Campbell does the dialogue justice. In the next episode, The Solemn Duty of the Squire, I will warn you he doesn’t show up until the very end. I won’t reveal how he makes his entrance but it is unusual and unprecedented.

But then again, it is Bruce Campbell and we would expect nothing less from him.

Lodge 49 airs Mondays on AMC at 10 p.m. Bruce will be appearing in the following episodes:

• Episode 7 – The Solemn Duty of the Squire – Sept. 17
• Episode 8 – Something from Nothing – Sept. 24
• Episode 9 – Apogee – Oct. 1

Upcoming Appearances

For those of you in the Houston area, the actor will be appearing at Fandemic  on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. Hours are from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Check the website for details on tickets, packages, photo ops and autographs.

Bruce will also be touring with his game show, Last Fan Standing. You can get the schedule at bruce-campbell.com on the Events page.

Will you be tuning into Lodge 49? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. We want to hear from you.