Will Ferrell's The Hawk lands on Netflix to divided reviews

Canadian Netflix viewers now have a new Will Ferrell comedy to weigh up, but the early critical response is far less enthusiastic than the star power suggests. The Hawk, a 10-episode golf series that premiered July 16, reunites Ferrell with longtime collaborator Molly Shannon and surrounds them with Jimmy Tatro, Fortune Feimster and Luke Wilson. The cast and family-centred premise have attracted attention, while several reviews argue that the show's throwback humour and abrasive lead character do not justify its five-hour running time.

The Backstory

Ferrell created the series with Harper Steele and Chris Henchy and takes his first lead role in a scripted television comedy. He plays Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, a formerly dominant golfer who fell short of completing a career Grand Slam more than two decades earlier and has spent years away from the top level of the sport.

The comeback story is also a family conflict. Lonnie's son Lance, played by Tatro, is now a professional golfer chasing his own success, while Shannon plays Stacy, Lonnie's estranged wife and an entrepreneur trying to build a life outside his orbit. Ferrell told Netflix that golf appealed to him because even successful professionals rarely win, creating pressure that can affect competition, family relationships and personal identity. Viewers can explore the full cast guide before watching.

Here's What Happened

The season begins with Lonnie competing far below his former level while travelling with his longtime caddie, Old Henry. After Henry dies on the course, Lonnie hires Sam, played by Feimster, even though she knows little about golf. His attempt to return to the PGA Tour eventually puts him in direct competition with Lance and his old rival Golden Fisk, played by Luke Wilson.

All 10 episodes began streaming July 16. The production used several Southern California golf locations, including Friendly Hills, Moorpark, Rolling Hills, Sand Canyon, Spanish Hills and Woodland Hills. The final two episodes were filmed at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, a 504-acre coastal property with two 18-hole courses.

The series also marks another reunion for Ferrell and Shannon, whose working relationship stretches back about 30 years. They met in Los Angeles comedy circles before joining Saturday Night Live in 1995 and later appeared together in films including Superstar and Talladega Nights.

What People Are Saying

The performers describe the production as a chance to revisit a well-established creative partnership. Shannon said their familiarity allows both actors to approach even exaggerated scenes with technical precision and mutual trust.

“It feels so good being reunited with Will. We’ve known one other for so long, so it just feels like working with your close friend who you love and adore. It’s just fun.”

Critical reaction has been much colder. Reviews from several publications described Lonnie as difficult to support and argued that the series repeats the selfish, loud and socially oblivious character type Ferrell played more effectively in earlier films. Critics also pointed to extended comic riffs, repeated sexual jokes and limited satire of professional golf as reasons the episodes feel dated or unfocused.

The Bigger Picture

The gap between the cast's enthusiasm and the reviews is central to the conversation around The Hawk. Ferrell, Shannon, Tatro, Feimster and Wilson bring familiar comic personas, yet multiple critics found that the writing gives the supporting actors too little material and allows Lonnie to remain largely unchanged.

For Canadian audiences deciding what to stream, the practical question is whether nostalgia for Ferrell's broad sports comedies outweighs the show's length and divisive humour. Viewers familiar with Anchorman or Talladega Nights may recognize the swaggering lead character immediately, but the reviews suggest that recognition does not necessarily translate into a satisfying series.

The Road Ahead

The complete first season is available on Netflix, so viewers do not have to wait for weekly episodes. None of the supplied sources confirms whether the series will return for another season.

Its longer-term prospects will therefore depend on how subscribers respond after the initial launch, especially as critical reviews have framed the show as a test of whether Ferrell's early-2000s comic style still works in an extended streaming format.