In a television first, Eric McCormack and his 23-year-old son Finnigan share the role of serial killer Ron Simms in NBC’s The Hunting Party season 2, creating a groundbreaking father-son collaboration that neither actor anticipated but both found creatively rewarding.
The concept of father-son acting duos typically conjures images of wholesome family dramas or lighthearted comedies. But for Eric McCormack, best known as Will Truman from Will & Grace, and his son Finnigan, their first professional collaboration took a decidedly darker turn—playing the same serial killer in NBC’s hit procedural The Hunting Party.
“I think if you’d asked either of us if we can be in something together, we probably wouldn’t have said, ‘Oh, let’s play the same serial killer,'” Eric exclusively revealed. “It was this crazy, wonderful notion from Jake Coburn and JJ Bailey, who created the show.”
The Unconventional Family Business
While Eric booked the role first as the present-day version of murderer Ron Simms, the show’s creators had an innovative idea: cast Finnigan as the younger version of the character in flashback sequences. The decision marked Finnigan’s most significant television role to date, creating an unprecedented dynamic where father and son would embody different eras of the same complex character.
“Based on the hunch, Finn has done a bunch of acting but none that they would have seen. It was just a gut feeling they had,” Eric explained about the casting process. “When I put him on tape, I just thought, ‘God, they were right.'”
The arrangement required careful coordination between the two actors to ensure character consistency despite their different timelines. They had several days before filming began to discuss the nuances of Ron Simms, creating what Eric described as “this really wonderful transition moment” between their performances.
Finding Humanity in a Monster
For Finnigan, taking on such a dark role as his television breakthrough came with understandable concerns. “As a debut opportunity, I definitely had that slight fear of, ‘Is this like Psycho in the ’60s? Am I just going to have this permanent connection to being the serial killer guy?’ That’s terrifying,” he admitted.
What made the role manageable for the young actor was discovering the character’s unexpected vulnerability. “What makes it the creepiest is that he doesn’t necessarily intend to kill the people. Or rather, he doesn’t want to kill the people that he hangs out with. He just needs connection,” Finnigan explained. “As much as it helped me create the character and make it more three dimensional, it also just made it even more terrifying.”
This approach to finding empathy within monstrous characters represents a growing trend in television writing, where villains are given psychological depth rather than serving as simple antagonists. The McCormacks’ collaboration demonstrates how this character development can create richer storytelling opportunities.
The Hunting Party’s Successful Formula
The Hunting Party, which premiered in 2025, has established itself as one of NBC’s standout crime procedurals. The series follows investigators tracking dangerous killers who escaped from a secret prison that officially doesn’t exist. The show’s unique premise and strong ensemble cast, including Kelsey Grammer as a cult leader in season 2, have helped it stand out in the crowded crime drama landscape.
The series joins other successful NBC procedurals like Law & Order and Chicago franchises, but with a distinct twist that appeals to audiences seeking fresh takes on the genre. The addition of the McCormack father-son dynamic adds another layer of originality to the show’s second season.
A New Frontier for Family Collaborations
While Hollywood has seen numerous family acting dynasties, the McCormacks’ specific collaboration—playing different versions of the same character—represents a novel approach to onscreen family partnerships. Unlike traditional pairings where family members play separate characters interacting within the same story, their method requires seamless character continuity across generations.
This technique has been used sparingly in television history, most notably in shows like This Is Us where different actors portray characters at various life stages. However, the father-son aspect adds a biological authenticity that enhances the character’s consistency across timelines.
Future Collaborations and Career Impact
Both McCormacks expressed interest in future collaborations, though they envision different types of projects. Eric suggested “an indie film or something that we find together” where they could “live in some scenes together,” specifically mentioning a “spinoff series of father and son crime solvers” as an appealing prospect.
Finnigan echoed this sentiment, noting that while playing the same character was “so special,” they never actually shared scenes together. “Being able to have dialogue in the future and being able to play off each other would be really special for me in any capacity,” he said.
The experience has clearly impacted Finnigan’s approach to acting and character development. His ability to find nuanced humanity within a terrifying character demonstrates a maturity beyond his years, suggesting a promising career ahead regardless of future collaborations with his father.
Why This Collaboration Matters
The McCormacks’ unique partnership represents several important trends in contemporary television:
- Innovative Casting Networks are increasingly willing to experiment with unconventional casting choices to create buzz and differentiate their programming.
- Character Depth Modern audiences demand complex villains with psychological realism rather than one-dimensional antagonists.
- Legacy Building The entertainment industry continues to embrace multigenerational talent while finding fresh ways to utilize established actors alongside rising stars.
For Eric McCormack, best known for comedy, this role continues his successful transition into dramatic television following his iconic Will & Grace years. For Finnigan, it represents a significant career launch that avoids typecasting by demonstrating immediate range and depth.
The Hunting Party airs on NBC Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET, with new episodes available for streaming on Peacock the following day. The second season promises to build on the show’s successful formula while introducing new dynamics like the McCormacks’ groundbreaking collaboration.
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