Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe expanded for the first time with 1883, an origin story of how the Dutton family first traveled across the vast west to settle down in Montana. Sheridan continued the story of the ranching empire with 1923, starring Harrison Ford as the new head of the Yellowstone as he battles prohibition, drought, and more challenges that plagued Montana in the 20s. While yet another prequel is in the works, 1944, Sheridan decided that he wasn't finished with the 1800s. So while 1883's story has come to an end, Sheridan is working on a new series, Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Real legendary Black cowboy Bass Reeves will be the center of the series currently in the works at Paramount+. This will be the first time the Yellowstone mastermind is creating a series around a real historical figure.
Here's everything we know about the new show.
What is 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' about?
The series will focus on Bass Reeves, one of the most famous heroes of the American frontier. Believed to be the inspiration of The Lone Ranger, he captured over 3,000 outlaws without getting injured during his days in the Wild West. He was a lawman in the Indian Territory, so there will be endless opportunities for dramatic stories in the new series. He's also said to have killed as many as 14 men in self-defense.
Born to enslaved parents, Reeves was first the Black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. He has an empowering story that was initially going to be spun as a spinoff of Yellowstone prequel 1883 since he lived during the same period.
The series has changed names from 1883: Bass Reeves to Bass Reeves to Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The new direction of the title sets this up as a new anthology series, where each season will be a standalone story of a different memorable lawman in American history.
Who's in the cast?
British actor David Oyelowo signed on to play the titular Bass Reeves. He will executive produce the project alongside Taylor Sheridan and his wife, Jessica Oyelowo, as part of their overall deal with MTV Entertainment Studios via their Yoruba Saxon Productions. Oyelowo is best known for starring as Martin Luther King Jr in the 2014 film Selma.
"I remember going out with it five or six years ago and every network cabler said, 'No one's making westerns, we're not doing that,'" Oyelowo told TheWrap. "And then we went out with it another two years later and they said, 'Oh, everyone's making westerns. We're not doing that.' So it's nice to finally have that project land somewhere great. And I'm a huge fan of Taylor Sheridan, so getting to work with him is pretty great as well."
Additional confirmed cast members:
Dennis Quaid: Sherrill Lynn, a Deputy U.S. Marshall
Shea Whigham: Col. George Reeves, the upright and incredibly cruel master of Bass Reeves.
Garrett Hedlund: Garrett Montgomery, a so-called posse man of the era who Bass hires for his riding know-how and expertise of the area
Grantham Coleman: Edwin Jones, an extremely persuasive man who has a clear vision and a promise for the future, to those who will listen
Lauren E. Banks: Jennie, described as "the strong and fiercely loyal wife of Bass Reeves."
Demi Singleton: Sally, described as "Bass and Jennie's (Banks) precocious daughter"
Forrest Goodluck: Billy Crow, said to be a "young Cherokee man with an affinity for dime store books and gaudy style"
Barry Pepper: Esau Pierce, said to be "the leader of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles and a battle tested warrior himself"
Cole Hauser: undisclosed role
Donald Sutherland: Judge Isaac Parker, a judge at the Fort Smith Courthouse
Rob Morgan: Ramsey, a once-strong man who has been broken by time
Ryan O'Nan: Darrell Dolliver, an outlaw Reeves is tasked with bringing to justice
Joaquina Kalukango: Esme, a former enslaved woman who's like family to the Reeves clan
Justin Hurtt-Dunkley: Ike, a Deputy U.S. Marshal
Lonnie Chavis: Arthur Mayberry, a young boy with eyes for Bass Reeves' daughter Sally
Where is it filming?
Yellowstone star Denim Richards shared a photo on Instagram that included various Yellowstone actors and Oyelowo at Sheridan's massive ranch in Texas. Bosque Ranch has served as a filming location for scenes in Yellowstone and 1883, so it makes sense it would be used for Bass Reeves. NBC DFW shared in October 2022 that the series was filming in Fort Worth as well.
When will it air?
No air dates have been released yet, but it's assumed that fans should expect a release date of late 2023 or early 2024.
READ MORE: 'Yellowstone' Creator Taylor Sheridan Has 8 New Shows In The Works
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