Summary
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a new Western series that follows the story of Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi River.
- The series stars David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves and features a talented ensemble cast including Barry Pepper, Donald Sutherland, and Dennis Quaid.
- Although Lawmen: Bass Reeves is not directly connected to Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe, Sheridan serves as an executive producer and had input in the production and post-production process.
The first two episodes of Paramount+’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves will air on CBS this Sunday, November 12, at 9/8c. This follows the Western series’ November 5 debut on the streamer, which featured the first two episodes. Based on the remarkable true story of Bass Reeves, the first post-Civil War Black deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi River, the series follows its titular characters’ journey from enslavement to recognition as one of the most legendary lawmen in the Old West. Reeves was born into slavery in Arkansas in July 1838 and was freed by the Thirteenth Amendment’s abolition of slavery in 1865. He spoke several Native languages, leading to his deputy recruitment. Despite arresting over 3,000 outlaws (including his son) throughout his career – from 1875 to 1907 – the iconic gunslinger was never wounded.
Emmy nominee David Oyelowo, best known for his work on Selma and Nightingale, stars as the titular character alongside Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Emmy Award-winner Barry Pepper, Honorary Oscar recipient Donald Sutherland and Emmy Award nominee Dennis Quaid. The cast also features Shea Whigham and Garrett Hedlund in guest starring roles, and Joaquina Kalukango, Lonnie Chavis, Grantham Coleman, Tosin Morohunfola, Dale Dickey, Rob Morgan, Ryan O’Nan, Margot Bingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley and Bill Dawes in recurring roles.
Related: Exclusive: Lawmen Bass Reeves Creator on Teaming Up with Star David Oyelowo
Lawmen: Bass Reeves and its Taylor Sheridan Connection
Lawmen: Bass Reeves is the latest series to join Paramount+s expanding Western catalog. Lawmen: Bass Reeves was initially intended to serve as a spinoff of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel 1883 but later evolved into a standalone anthology series highlighting different iconic lawmen and outlaws.
In a previous interview with Looper. Lawmen: Bass Reeves creator Chad Feehan shared:
“When I was hired, there was a brief conversation about whether there was an ‘1883’ tie-in that I wanted to do in my storytelling, saying, ‘You have the freedom to do that. But if there’s not, you don’t have to.’ Once I decided where the story began and ended, we took that and ran with it.”
Despite the series not being a part of Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe, Sheridan is still very much a part of Lawmen: Bass Reeves, serving as an executive producer.
“Taylor came in at beautiful moments and sprinkled some of his magical storytelling dust on the episodes,” Feehan shared. “When it came to production, he has built this incredibly well-oiled machine that helped us execute what was on the page. In post[-production], he was there as well, sprinkling that magical dust that’s so innate to him and his ability to craft a story.”
Feehan also serves as showrunner. Alongside Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Jessica Oyelowo, David Permut, Christina Alexandra Voros, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari and David Hutkin also executive produce. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions and Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon. It is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ international markets.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves premiered on Paramount+ on Sunday, November 5, with two episodes. The remaining six episodes will roll out weekly on Sundays. You can check out an encore presentation of the premiere episodes on CBS on Sunday, November 12, at 9/8c.
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