Bass Reeves: Unraveling the Legend Behind The Action-Packed Yellowstone Series

Summary

Introducing Lawmen: Bass Reeves, an exciting addition to the Yellowstone franchise, delving into the extraordinary journey of the initial African American Deputy U.S. Marshall. This pioneering spinoff expands beyond the fictional Dutton family, immersing viewers into the captivating world of law enforcement.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves presents an opportunity for the Yellowstone franchise to push boundaries and present a raw and authentic depiction of the Old West. The series, set to premiere on Paramount+ in 2023, introduces David Oyelowo as the resolute lawman Bass Reeves, complemented by an exceptional ensemble cast. Through Reeves' relentless pursuit of outlaws and the adversities he encounters within a corrupt legal system, Lawmen: Bass Reeves delves into a more truthful and unvarnished narrative of the Old West.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is the latest addition to the successful Yellowstone franchise created by Taylor Sheridan. Inspired by the true story of Bass Reeves, the show delves into the life of the first African American Deputy U.S. Marshal in the western region. Unlike the other Yellowstone spinoffs, Lawmen: Bass Reeves aims to portray the real history of this intriguing figure from the Old West. Departing from the Montana Dutton clan, the series takes Sheridan's Western universe in an entirely new direction.

Yellowstone, which premiered in 2018, brings the essence of the Old West to the modern era, showcasing the challenges faced by ranchers in the 21st century. The immense popularity of the original series, led by Kevin Costner, naturally led to the creation of spinoffs such as the prequel series 1883 and 1923, which continued the Yellowstone storyline. However, Lawmen: Bass Reeves breaks away from the fictional Dutton family, offering the franchise an opportunity to explore new territories. Nonetheless, the new series is expected to explore similar themes as its predecessors while offering a more authentic portrayal of the West.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Latest News

The latest Lawmen: Bass Reeves news offers a sneak peek into the series and hints at what can be expected in the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff. Vanity Fair unveiled the first photos of Lawmen: Bass Reeves, showcasing the latest addition to Taylor Sheridan's neo-western franchise that spans a century. The photos feature David Oyelowo as the renowned lawman Bass Reeves, embodying the stoic Western hero synonymous with the Yellowstone projects. Additionally, the initial images of Bass Reeves unveil key members of the ensemble cast, including Lauren E. Banks as Reeves' wife Jennie, Shea Whigham, Barry Pepper as former Confederate soldier Esau Pierce, Demi Singleton as Reeves' daughter Sally, Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow, and Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn.

Alongside the exclusive images, there was also news regarding the show's release date, confirming that Lawmen: Bass Reeves will premiere on Paramount+ in 2023. This not only brings excitement for the impending release but also hints that a trailer will likely follow soon. Even independently, the images generate anticipation for the new Western miniseries, demonstrating Taylor Sheridan's commitment to capturing the gritty and rugged essence of the American West, a quality he impeccably showcased in 1883 and 1923.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Confirmed

The future of the Yellowstone franchise appears to be shifting focus from the original show, and Lawmen: Bass Reeves is another addition to the series that does not involve Costner's well-known character, John Dutton. Due to the immense success of Sheridan's creations, Lawmen: Bass Reeves has been confirmed since 2021, with Oyelowo already attached to the project (Deadline). The show was officially confirmed to be heading to Paramount Plus in May 2022 (TV Insider).

Initially intended as a continuation of the original spinoff, 1883, the Bass Reeves storyline was meant to be called 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, but this plan was eventually abandoned. While the show had been officially confirmed, it was renamed Lawmen: Bass Reeves in April 2023, and the tie-in with 1883 was completely removed. When Lawmen: Bass Reeves eventually airs, it will no longer be the second season of 1883 but will instead become the fourth spinoff of Yellowstone.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Release Date

The release date for The Lawmen: Bass Reeves has not been announced yet. However, it is confirmed that the show will debut on Paramount+ in 2023. Due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes affecting Hollywood productions, both 1923 season 2 and Yellowstone season 5 part 2 have faced delays. As a result, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, premiering in 2023, will be the only Yellowstone show that fans can expect to see for quite some time.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Cast

Just like with all of the Yellowstone series, the show's biggest attraction has always been the ensemble cast, and Lawmen: Bass Reeves cast is no exception. A significant portion of the cast list has already been revealed, with Oyelowo being chosen to portray Bass Reeves in 2021. Dennis Quaid officially joined Lawmen: Bass Reeves in January 2023, where he will take on the role of Sherrill Lynn. Additional cast members include Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow, Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce, and Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves, Bass' wife. Completing the main cast, Grantham Coleman portrays Edwin Jones, while Demi Singleton portrays Sally Reeves, Bass' daughter.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves will feature two notable names in its recurring cast: Garrett Hedlund, who will play Garrett Montgomery, and screen legend Donald Sutherland, who will portray Judge Isaac Parker. The latest cast announcements reveal Dickey as Widow Dolliver, Brings Plenty as Minco Dodge (likely unrelated to his character in Mo Yellowstone), Morohunfola as Jackson "Jackrabbit" Cornhole, and Bingham as Sarah Jumper.

Joining them in the Lawmen: Bass Reeves cast are Joaquina Kalukango as Esme, Lonnie Chavis as Arthur Mayberry, Rob Morgan as Ramsey, Ryan O’Nan as Darrel Dolliver, and Justin Hurtt-Dunkley as Ike (via Yahoo). Finally, Col. George Reeves will be played by Shea Whigham (via Deadline).

Will Any Yellowstone Franchise Characters Appear?

Although no official announcements have been made, it is possible that familiar characters from the Yellowstone franchise could make appearances in Lawmen: Bass Reeves. If the show adheres to Reeves' actual timeline, it will be set between the 1870s and 1910, the time of his passing. This means that characters from the 1883 era could be introduced, as well as younger versions of characters from 1923. Given that Lawmen: Bass Reeves was initially conceived as an 1883 spinoff, it is most likely that characters from that show could crossover. Since the characters from 1883 were geographically closest to Reeves' Oklahoma and Arkansas territory, it is plausible that their paths could have intersected. Considering that Isabel May's Elsa Dutton has become the unofficial narrator for the franchise in 1923, she could potentially encounter the legendary lawman. Alternatively, her father James Dillard Dutton (played by Tim McGraw) could join forces with Reeves, creating a parallel storyline to the events of 1883's first season. The clever construction of the Yellowstone spinoff franchise has created a scenario where crossovers are not only possible but highly probable, given the short timeframe between 1883 and its successor, 1923. Thus, Lawmen: Bass Reeves could serve as an interconnecting storyline that bridges the generational gap between Yellowstone's other two historical spinoffs.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Story Details

Apart from the fundamental concept of the series, no specific information has been disclosed regarding Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Nevertheless, based on the documented history of the renowned figure from the Old West, the show is expected to center around Reeves' pursuit of notorious criminals and may touch upon his remarkable accomplishment of never sustaining any injuries while on duty. Additionally, Reeves will likely grapple with managing both his professional obligations and personal life, while also confronting personal prejudice and corruption within the corrupted legal system of the Old West.