The Legendary Bass Reeves: Unveiling the 10 Actors who Brought him to Life in Western Movies & TV Shows

Summary

Bass Reeves is a significant historical figure who became one of the first black U.S. Marshals after the Civil War, capturing dangerous outlaws during the 19th century.

The series Lawmen: Bass Reeves is set to debut on Paramount+ and will showcase the life and professional journey of Reeves as a law enforcement officer during the late 1800s.

This rendition of Bass Reeves will mark the tenth significant portrayal in both film and television, featuring esteemed actors such as Gary Beadle, Colman Domingo, and Adrien Holmes in previous adaptations. With his role in the upcoming series, David Oyelowo has the opportunity to make a lasting impact on his career.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is not the first time that Bass Reeves, an important historical figure in post-Civil War American history, has been depicted in Western films and television. Born into slavery in Arkansas and owned by William Steele Reeves, Bass Reeves emerged as one of the first black U.S. Marshals after the abolition of slavery. Known for apprehending some of the most dangerous fugitives of the 19th century, Reeves' remarkable story continues to captivate audiences.

Premiering exclusively on Paramount+ on November 5, 2023, Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone spin-off Lawmen: Bass Reeves delves into the life and law enforcement career of Reeves during the late 1800s. Created by Chad Feehan, known for his work on Ray Donovan, this series joins the Yellowstone universe set in the American Wild West of the 19th century, much like the popular prequel 1883 featuring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. Chronicling Reeves' legend as a fearless U.S. deputy who captured over 3,000 dangerous criminals in Arkansas without ever sustaining injuries, this new series adds to the already impressive list of portrayals of Reeves in film and TV.

10 Gary Beadle in Around the World in 80 Days (2021– )

9 Colman Domingo in Timeless (2016–2018)

Gary Beadle played the role of Bass Reeves in the latest TV adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days. In season 1, episode 7, which aired in February 2022, Bass Reeves is portrayed in the PBS/Masterpiece series. Reeves appears in the story when Phileas Fogg, the main character, encounters him while accompanying his prisoner Ambrose Abernathy from the Ku Klux Klan to his trial for murder. This encounter sets the stage for an intense pursuit and a violent showdown, making it one of the most thrilling episodes of the series.

In "The Murder of Jesse James," an episode from season 1 of the sci-fi series Timeless, Colman Domingo took on the role of Bass Reeves. The storyline involved an alliance between one of the antagonists and a notorious outlaw in the Wild West. As a result, the team of protagonists seeks assistance from lawman Bass Reeves in their efforts to apprehend them. Aside from his appearance in this episode, Domingo has also graced the screens in several historically significant films like Steven Spielberg's Lincoln and Ava DuVernay's Selma, where he shared the stage with David Oyelowo's portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King. Moreover, Domingo is recognized for his notable performances on Fear the Walking Dead and the HBO series Euphoria.

8 Adrien Holmes in Wynonna Earp (2016–2021)

Adrien Holmes, known for his notable performances in films like The Cabin in the Woods and Elysium, took on the role of Bass Reeves in the paranormal series Wynonna Earp. His portrayal of Reeves premiered in 2017 on season 2, episode 7 titled "Everybody Knows". Aside from his work on Wynonna Earp, Holmes has also made appearances in popular shows like The Boys, Arrow, and Supernatural.

7 David Ramsey in DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016–2021)

David Ramsey took on the role of lawman Bass Reeves in an episode titled "Stressed Western" of DC's Legends of Tomorrow season 6 in 2021. The episode revolves around The Legends traveling back in time to the Old West to investigate the appearance of an extraterrestrial entity, leading them to cross paths with Bass Reeves. In addition to this portrayal, Ramsey has portrayed two other characters in a total of three episodes of DC's Legends of Tomorrow, playing John Diggle from Arrow and the character known as Spartan. Furthermore, he has made appearances as John Diggle in other CW shows including The Flash, Superman & Lois, Batwoman, and Supergirl.

6 Harry Lennix in They Die by Dawn (2013)

Harry Lennix portrays Sheriff Bass Reeves in the ensemble Western short film They Die By Dawn, which features an impressive cast including Rosario Dawson, Giancarlo Esposito, Isaiah Washington, and Michael Kenneth Williams. Lennix is most recognized for his performances in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Ray, and The Matrix Reloaded. Additionally, he has made notable appearances on television as Frank Sacker in the Showtime series Billions, Marcus Walker in Insecure, and Harold Cooper in The Blacklist.

5 David Gyasi in Hell on the Border (2019)

In the 2019 Western film Hell on the Border, David Gyasi took on the role of Bass Reeves, sharing the screen with Ron Perlman. This cinematic creation loosely draws inspiration from real-life events that showcase Reeves' remarkable journey to becoming the first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. The narrative unfolds in 1875 Arkansas. Gyasi's acting talent extends beyond this film, as he has graced the screens in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed Interstellar and The Dark Knight Rises. His notable appearances also include Annihilation, Cloud Atlas, Maleficent, Carnival Row, and his recent starring role in the Netflix political drama The Diplomat, alongside Keri Russel.

4 Isaiah Washington in Corsicana (2022)

3 Delroy Lindo in The Harder They Fall (2021)

Isaiah Washington took on the role of Bass Reeves in the independent Western film Corsicana, which he not only co-wrote but also directed. Washington is widely recognized for his portrayal of Dr. Preston Burke in the enduring medical drama Grey's Anatomy. He has also made appearances in various other network television series, such as The 100, Bull, and Blue Bloods. Corsicana not only showcases Washington's debut performance as Reeves but also marks his directorial introduction.

Portraying the character of Bass Reeves, Delroy Lindo shared the screen with a talented ensemble cast in the Netflix Western movie, The Harder They Fall. The film also features Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Idris Elba, and LaKeith Stanfield. Set in the Old West, the story revolves around Reeves' encounter with a group of outlaws. Lindo's impressive filmography includes notable works like Get Shorty, Malcolm X, and Da 5 Bloods. Additionally, he recently showcased his acting prowess as Edwin in the Hulu series Unprisoned and garnered acclaim for his role as Adrian Boseman in the acclaimed series The Good Fight.

2 Jamal Akakpo in Watchmen (2019)

Jamal Akakpo, known for his roles in popular television shows such as Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hawaii Five-0, portrayed Bass Reeves in HBO's Watchmen adaptation. The series featured a fictional silent film titled "Trust in the Law," where Akakpo's character had a significant influence on the character of Will Reeves. In addition to his work on various TV shows, Akakpo has also appeared in episodes of Chicago P.D., Florida Man, and the critically acclaimed series Atlanta.

1 David Oyelowo in Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023)

David Oyelowo is taking on the highly-anticipated role of Bass Reeves in an upcoming film or television adaptation. Oyelowo has recently gained recognition for his performances in the acclaimed sci-fi series Silo and the crime comedy See How They Run. However, he is most renowned for his portrayal of Martin Luther King in the movie Selma and his character Peter Snowden in the HBO series Nightingale. With his upcoming star role as Bass Reeves in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Oyelowo has the chance to solidify his career with one of his most memorable performances.