Just when you thought he couldn't get any deeper into the history of the American West, "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan is back at it with the Western biodrama series "Lawmen: Bass Reeves." Originally positioned as a spinoff of the "Yellowstone" prequel "1883" (say that three times fast), the eight-episode Paramount+ series tracks the astonishing rise of legendary lawman Bass Reeves, who escaped slavery to become the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi.
The gunslinging and dusty standoffs are nothing new for Sheridan, who serves as an executive producer on the series. But the show marks the first time a Sheridan project went into the annals of history and centered on a real-life individual. That said, Sheridan's aren't the only hands to have shaped "Lawmen: Bass Reeves."
Series star and fellow EP David Oyelowo ("Selma") worked for seven years to bring this story to life. It eventually found a writer-creator in Chad Feehan ("Ray Donovan"). In an Oct. 2023 interview with Wide Open Country, Feehan described the show as "David Oyelowo's journey to honor the man's legacy."
In addition to Oyelowo, "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" features a remarkable cast of greats and rising stars. There's Lauren E. Banks, Dennis Quaid, Donald Sutherland, Shea Whigham and more. It's a sweeping Western epic with plenty of players — some of them taking on historical figures. Here's a who's-who of the cast of "Lawmen: Bass Reeves."
David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves
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Leading the cast is David Oyelowo as the iconic Bass Reeves. The English actor, director and producer is no stranger to historical stories, having recently become a mainstay in Hollywood for his role as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in "Selma."
Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn
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Playing one of Bass' fellow Deputy U.S. Marshals is everyone's favorite "Parent Trap" dad, Dennis Quaid. Most recently seen in "The Circle," the actor has been making waves with his big-screen performances for decades.
Shea Whigham as Col. George Reeves
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Shea Whigham will take on the role of Col. George Reeves, Bass' cruel master. Whigham is known for his roles as Eli Thompson in "Boardwalk Empire" and recently as Pete Strickland in the HBO crime drama "Perry Mason."
Garrett Hedlund as Garrett Montgomery
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Playing Garrett Montgomery — the so-called "posse man" whom Bass hires to be a part of his crew — is Garrett Hedlund. The "Mudbound" star has a long list of projects under his belt, including a role in another Sheridan series, "Tulsa King."
Grantham Coleman as Edwin Jones
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Every show needs a young, influential visionary with hope for the future, and actor Grantham Coleman is bringing that role to life as Edwin Jones. Coleman became a recognizable figure after his work on "The Americans," and he recently did a comedy with Aubrey Plaza titled "Black Bear."
Lauren E. Banks as Jennie
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Jennie Reeves is Bass' headstrong and loyal wife, a role filled by an actress who only recently landed her big break. Lauren E. Banks starred as Siobhan Quays in the Showtime crime drama "City on a Hill" with Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge, and her career shows no sign of slowing.
Demi Singleton as Sally
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The real Bass Reeves was reportedly married twice and had 11 kids. Taking on the important role as his eldest daughter Sally is Demi Singleton, who recently played a young Serena Williams in the movie "King Richard" alongside Will Smith.
Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow
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Historically, Reeves was an officer in the Indian Territory and actually lived among the Cherokee, Creek and Seminoles when he fled slavery. Forrest Goodluck plays a young Cherokee man named Billy Crow. Goodluck got his start in the acclaimed 2015 movie "The Revenant."
Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce
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Playing the battle-tested warrior and leader of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles is veteran actor Barry Pepper. The role of Esau Pierce is a return to the Western genre for Pepper, who previously played Lucky Ned Pepper in "True Grit."
Rob Morgan as Ramsey
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Rob Morgan, another "Mudbound" star, takes on the role of Ramsey. The actor — who's also known for his roles in "Don't Look Up" and "Bull" — plays a once-strong man who's been broken down by life.
Ryan O'Nan as Darrell Dolliver
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Reeves is tasked with cleaning up the Indian Territory of crime, and that includes bringing outlaw Darrell Dolliver to justice. Taking on this pivotal role is Ryan O'Nan, known for his acting in "Big Sky," "Fargo" and "Queen of the South."
Joaquina Kalukango as Esme
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Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango plays Esme, a former slave who is "like family" to Reeves.
Lonnie Chavis as Arthur Mayberry
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Arthur Mayberry, the young man who has his sights set on Bass' daughter, Sally, is played by Lonnie Chavis. The "This Is Us" actor recently starred in the Oyelowo-directed "The Water Man."
Justin Hurtt-Dunkley as Ike
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Ike is a fellow U.S. Marshal, played by Justin Hurtt-Dunkley. The actor is best known for his roles in "Mare of Easttown" and "Blindspot."
Donald Sutherland as Judge Isaac Parker
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A judge at the Fort Smith Courthouse with a complicated history, Isaac Parker plays a pivotal role in Reeves' legendary career. Veteran actor Donald Sutherland steps into the recurring role. Some of his most-seen parts include roles in "Citizen X," "Path to War" and the "Hunger Games" franchise.
Cole Hauser as an Undisclosed Role
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Cole Hauser is not listed on the show's IMDb page, and he hasn't been mentioned in any of the recent press. But back in 2022, Hauser revealed that some new facial hair he was sporting was due to a role he played on "1883: The Bass Reeves Story." While we'd love to see Hauser in more Sheridan projects, the fact that so much about the series has changed and that we haven't heard more could mean that Hauser's role was cut.
Mo Brings Plenty as Minco Dodge
Mo Brings Plenty (Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic)
Mo Brings Plenty takes on the role of Minco Dodge, a Choctaw Native American and friend to Bass Reeves. The actor is best known for starring in "Yellowstone" since the very beginning as Mo, the right hand to Chief Rainwater. Mo Brings Plenty is also actively involved on other Taylor Sheridan sets, where he serves as a Native American cultural consultant.
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