Bass Reeves: Unveiling the Distinct Journey of a Lawman - The Truth behind Its Yellowstone Connection and Series Timeline

Article Overview

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is not a spinoff of Yellowstone and is not part of the Yellowstone universe.

Debuting on November 5th on Paramount+, the show chronicles the life of Bass Reeves, the pioneering Black U.S. Marshal in the American West. It distinguishes itself from the Yellowstone prequel series 1883 by focusing on events preceding 1883.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves creator and showrunner Chad Feehan has addressed the misconception that the upcoming series is a Yellowstone spinoff. Despite being executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind Yellowstone, and featuring David Oyelowo as the lead, the show is not connected to the Yellowstone universe. Feehan explained that although Lawmen was initially intended to be a prequel to 1883, further research into Bass Reeves' life revealed that his story predates the events of Yellowstone's prequel.

“[It was] an idea that we briefly discussed. However, after delving into the unknown aspects of Bass’ life and determining the desired beginning and ending points of the story, our timeline went beyond 1883.

So, What Is Lawman: Bass Reeves?

The show is set in the time span of approximately 1862 to 1877.”

Filmed in Texas, the Paramount+ show brings to life the iconic lawman of the wild west. It explores the remarkable true story of Bass Reeves, hailed as the greatest frontier hero in American history. Operating as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory during the post-Reconstruction era, he fearlessly apprehended countless dangerous criminals without ever sustaining a single injury. Joining the talented cast shown above, the drama series also features notable guest appearances by Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games) and Garrett Hedlund (Troy).

The main cast alongside Oyelolwo in Lawmen: Bass Reeves includes Lauren E. Banks as Jennie, Reeves' wife, Shea Whigham as George Reeves, Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce, a former Confederate soldier, Demi Singleton as Sally, Reeves' daughter, Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow, and Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn. Adding to the complexity, Mo Brings Plenty, a familiar face from Yellowstone, will also star in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, but as a new character.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves focuses solely on the titular character, who has been portrayed by actors like Colman Domingo, Harry Lennix, Delroy Lindo, and Isaiah Washington. This miniseries marks the first time that this notable figure in U.S. history takes center stage, separate from any ties to Yellowstone.

Source: TVLine

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan, I am thrilled to hear about the upcoming series "Lawmen: Bass Reeves." The show promises to be an exciting and insightful look into the life of one of the most remarkable lawmen in American history. I am particularly interested in seeing how the show will depict Reeves' experiences as a Black U.S. Marshal in the American West, as well as his interactions with the various outlaws and criminals he encountered during his career.

I appreciate that the showrunner, Chad Feehan, has taken great care to ensure that "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" is not simply a spinoff of the popular series "Yellowstone." While I am a big fan of "Yellowstone," I believe it is important for new shows to have their own unique identity and not rely solely on the success of other franchises. The fact that "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" is set in a different time period and focuses on a different character allows it to stand on its own two feet and explore new stories and themes.