The Legend Lives On: Exploring the Iconic Bass Reeves, Real Life Lawman

Article Overview

Lawmen: Bass Reeves follows the incredible journey of Bass Reeves, a trailblazing African American lawman who made history as one of the pioneering black law enforcement officers in the American West.

The series showcases a skilled ensemble, with David Oyelowo portraying Bass Reeves, Dennis Quaid as U.S. Deputy Marshall Sherill Lynn, and Donald Sutherland as Judge Issac Parker.

Delving into Reeves' backstory and ascent as a lawman, the show emphasizes his remarkable track record of apprehending more than 3000 outlaws unscathed, and is anticipated to chronicle his journey up until 1877.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a depiction of Bass Reeves, a real-life lawman who gained renown as one of the earliest black law enforcement officers in the western region of the United States, specifically west of the Mississippi River. The show on Paramount+ explores the origins and ascent of Bass Reeves, who was born into slavery in Arkansas before the outbreak of the Civil War. Reeves managed to flee and sought refuge in Indigenous Territory, which is known as Kansas and Oklahoma in present times. His liberation came with the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, which abolished slavery. Notably, Reeves achieved great acclaim throughout his career by apprehending over 3000 criminals without ever sustaining any injuries.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves marks the beginning of an anthology series helmed by executive producer Taylor Sheridan and Chad Feehan, the creator of the widely recognized show Ray Donovan. Initially believed to be a spinoff within Sheridan's critically acclaimed Yellowstone universe, Lawmen: Bass Reeves emerged as a distinct and independent series, unrelated to Yellowstone except for Sheridan's oversight. The show's focus is on presenting the genuine legend surrounding Bass Reeves until 1877, thereby avoiding any potential crossovers with the highly praised Yellowstone prequel series titled 1883. Notably, 1883 features renowned actors Tim McGraw, Sam Elliot, and Faith Hill, who portray the ancestors of Yellowstone's esteemed Dutton family.

David Oyelowo As Bass Reeves

Dennis Quaid As Sherill Lynn

David Oyelowo takes on the role of Bass Reeves in the latest Paramount+ series. While many actors have portrayed Reeves in the past, Oyelowo's portrayal is highly anticipated, especially considering his role as the executive producer. Apart from this project, Oyelowo has also appeared in the popular 2023 series Silo, a sci-fi adaptation of a well-known novella available for streaming on Apple+. He is also recognized for his outstanding performance as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2014 biographical drama Selma, for which he earned an Emmy nomination for his role in HBO's Nightingale.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves features Dennis Quaid in the role of Sherill Lynn, a U.S. Deputy Marshal who partners with Bass Reeves in the series. Throughout the show's eight episodes, Quaid's character makes regular appearances, except for one. With a career spanning back to 1975, Quaid has established himself as a prominent actor. Some of his notable film works include American Underdog (2021), Midway (2019), The Express (2008), The Rookie (2002), Traffic (2000), and The Parent Trap (1998).

Donald Sutherland As Judge Parker

Donald Sutherland portrays the real-life Judge Issac Parker, who held the position of federal judge in the Indigenous Territory where Reeves resided until 1875. Judge Parker was the historical figure who initially designated Reeves as a deputy for the western district of Arkansas. Throughout his career, Sutherland has appeared in nearly 200 films and television series, including The Hunger Games (2012), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (2014), Pride & Prejudice (2005), M*A*S*H (1970), JFK (1991), and Ordinary People (1980).

Barry Pepper As Esau Pierce

Playing the role of Esau Pierce, the leader of the fictional 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles, Barry Pepper portrays a formidable adversary of Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Known for his notable performances in Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Green Mile (1999), and True Grit (2010), Pepper's portrayal of Pierce is bound to captivate viewers with its intrigue and unpredictability. Set to appear in four episodes of Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Pepper's character promises to make a significant impact on the story.

Lauren E. Banks As Jennie Reeves

Demi Singleton As Sally Reeves

Lauren E. Banks takes on the role of Nellie Jennie, the real-life wife of Bass Reeves. Jennie and Bass first encounter each other as enslaved individuals on George Reeves' ranch in Grayson County, Texas, and their onscreen romance blossoms during the Civil War. Even after slavery is abolished, Jennie and Bass's relationship endures, resulting in their shared parenthood. Prior to this role, Banks has portrayed Siobhan Quays in the Showtime series City on a Hill and has made appearances in two episodes of the Netflix series Maniac, which features Jonah Hill and Emma Stone.

Playing the role of Sally Reeves is Demi Singleton, the daughter of Bass and Jennie Reeves. Bass Reeves, a real-life figure, had a total of eleven children, one of whom was named Sally. Singleton is most recognized for her portrayal of Serena Williams in the critically acclaimed film King Richard (2021), where she starred alongside Will Smith, who famously won his first Oscar at the 2022 Academy Awards. In addition to her notable role as Serena Williams, Singleton also appeared as Margaret Johnson in the MGM series Godfather of Harlem, alongside the talented Forest Whitaker.

Forrest Goodluck As Billy Crow

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Supporting Cast & Characters

Forrest Goodluck joins the series as Billy Crow, a young Cherokee man who assists Bass Reeves across four episodes. Recognized for his performances in The Revenant, which won an Academy Award, and the 2022 thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Goodluck adds depth to the character. Additionally, he takes on the role of Manny in the upcoming horror film Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023) and showcases his talent in the 2021 movie Cherry.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Supporting Cast & Characters

Portraying George Reeves is experienced actor Shea Whigham, best known for his role as a real-life Colonel in the Confederate Army during World War II and as a former slave owner. With an extensive filmography boasting around 100 credits, Whigham has showcased his talent in notable projects such as Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and the acclaimed HBO series The Righteous Gemstones.

Garrett Hedlund portrays Garrett Montgomery in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, where he is a member of Bass Reeves' law enforcement posse. Hedlund is renowned for his impressive performances in TRON: Legacy (2010), Four Brothers (2005), Mudbound (2017), On the Road (2012), Unbroken (2014), and Tulsa King (2022 - 2023).

Joaquina Kalukango takes on the role of Esme, a formerly enslaved woman who shares a strong bond with the Reeves family in Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Kalukango's acting credits include notable appearances in Lovecraft Country (2020), One Night in Miami... (2020), and When They See Us (2019).

Justin Hurtt-Dunkley stars as Ike, a U.S. Deputy Marshal who accompanies Bass Reeves in the series Lawmen. Previously, Hurrt-Dunkley portrayed Officer Trammel in Mare of Easttown, Madeline Butler in Blindspot, and made his television debut in 2010's How It Make It in America.

Grantham Coleman takes on the role of Edwin Jones, a visionary and charismatic character in Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Coleman's recent credits include appearances in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, the anticipated 2023 Netflix film Rustin, and the 2020 movie Black Bear alongside Aubrey Plaza.

Mo Brings Plenty, the sole actor credited for featuring in both Yellowstone and Lawmen: Bass Reeves, assumes the character of Minco Dodge in the latter series. Notably, Mo Brings Plenty, who showcased his talent in 39 episodes of Yellowstone, will grace Lawmen: Bass Reeves with his portrayal of Minco Dodge, a beloved Choctaw Indigenous individual and devoted companion of the renowned lawman.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Westerns and historical dramas, I am thrilled about the upcoming series Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The show promises to shed light on an important figure in American history who has been largely overlooked: Bass Reeves, one of the first black lawmen in the Wild West. David Oyelowo is an excellent choice to play Reeves, and I can't wait to see him bring this character to life. The supporting cast is also impressive, with Dennis Quaid and Donald Sutherland on board.

I'm particularly interested in seeing how the show will handle the racial dynamics of the time period. Reeves was a black man working in a law enforcement system that was predominantly white, and I'm sure he faced a great deal of prejudice and discrimination. I'm hoping the show will be able to portray these challenges in a realistic and thought-provoking way. Overall, I'm very excited about Lawmen: Bass Reeves and I think it has the potential to be a great show. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it premieres on Paramount+.