Behind the Scenes of The Bondsman: Designing Story and Space with Eve McCarney

A deep dive into the transformative set design, genre blending, and creative problem solving that brought "The Bondsman" to life, as revealed on the Decorating Pages Podcast with guest Eve McCarney.

The Allure and Challenge of "The Bondsman"

If you’re a fan of set design—or simply obsessed with atmospheric TV—Amazon’s "The Bondsman" has likely caught your eye. For a show that’s been topping charts and winning over critics, a lot of the magic exists beyond the camera’s lens. In a recent episode of the Decorating Pages Podcast, host Kim Wannop sat down with production designer Eve McCarney for a candid, detail-rich look at how "The Bondsman" was built from the ground up—literally and creatively.

Building a World from Scratch

One of the most fascinating tidbits from the episode was how the series’ key locations—a rural compound with a house and auto shop—were entirely constructed for the production. McCarney shared that the 'compound' was created from what used to be a crew parking lot outside Atlanta, utilizing the famous Walking Dead stages in Senoia, Georgia. This transformation required foundational work, full exteriors, and an interior shop set built on stage to control sound and weather challenges.

“My friends from childhood came out to see it, and they couldn’t believe it—they thought the house and shop had always been there,” Eve recounted. Such reactions are the dream for a production designer: when the illusion of reality is so complete that the line between set and authentic place disappears.

Curating Character Through Space

A key to the show’s enduring visual appeal is McCarney’s intuitive approach to balancing history, function, and character personality. The show’s spaces bristle with authenticity—from the vintage finds sourced in local Georgia antique stores, to new functional pieces for realism, like Hub’s office tables or the Murphy bed.

For Hub’s bond shop and apartment, the set was conceived almost like a racetrack, offering multiple entrances and exits. This thoughtful layout allowed for dynamic action scenes—including what Eve referred to as “the demon battle sequence”—as well as intimate character moments between Hub and his family.

Meanwhile, Kitty’s house was painted a deliberate, cheerful yellow, contrasting the “gritty” bond shop. “She’s optimistic, religious, always believes in the good… I wanted it sunny,” Eve explained. Such choices help signal shifts in tone—from the warmth of family scenes to supernatural standoffs.

Easter Eggs and Local Flavor

No detail was too small: Pennsylvania pride runs subtly through the set with hidden Quaker State and Pennzoil signs and even Eagles-colored arcade machines, all nods to McCarney and Kevin Bacon's Philly roots. “It was really fun to develop these spaces and see what the characters would have,” said Eve, delighted at these personal touches.

Navigating Genre Mashups

One of the show’s triumphs is its sophisticated genre blending—supernatural horror, family drama, dark comedy, even a touch of “southern crime.” McCarney thrived in the challenge, designing spaces versatile enough to host demon battles alongside music-filled family nights. The bar set, for instance, melded vintage Americana with colorful, quirky lighting and a labyrinthine layout that kept each episode visually fresh.

Collaboration with Cast and Crew

Kevin Bacon, in addition to starring, was a hands-on producer, giving input not just on his character’s props but the overall feel of his environment. “He wanted to feel the grittiness…the oil, like the space should almost have a smell,” Eve recalled. His involvement helped ensure spaces conveyed both visual richness and narrative truth.

Supporting this, the show’s decorator, Gia Grasso, became invaluable for her knowledge of local resources, securing just the right vintage finds and custom touches—like a dramatic wallpaper for the aspiring starlet’s dressing room.

Creative Problem-Solving: The Real Art of Set Design

A theme running through the podcast was the relentless problem-solving and logistical dance that great set design requires—especially when flipping locations, accommodating stunts and special effects, or transforming real stores and multipurpose community spaces into fresh sets between shooting days.

Eve summarized it best: “It’s creative problem-solving. Constraints lead us to such poignant design and decorating decisions…it’s the challenge that we love.”

Looking Ahead

With "The Bondsman" resonating strongly with viewers—and the sets now standing as possible backlot fixtures—it’s clear that the care and creativity poured into its design has left an indelible mark. Whether it’s tiny Easter eggs, lived-in details, or genre-defying spaces, Eve McCarney and her team have set a new bar for production design in genre television.

Love learning how your favorite shows are made? Check out the full Decorating Pages Podcast episode for even more behind-the-scenes stories and design insights!