David Oyelowo is starring as the Wild West historical figure Bass Reeves in the Shadow and Act exclusive teaser for Paramount+’s upcoming drama series, Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Oyelowo, who also executive produces, will star opposite Lauren E. Banks, Forrest Goodluck, Barry Pepper, Donald Sutherland and Dennis Quaid. Lawmen: Bass Reeves is the first series among Sheridan’s anthology series about “iconic lawmen and outlaws who have impacted history,” according to the series’ description.
Hailing from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, Oyelowo plays the titular lawman who has paved the way for other lawmen in the Wild West as the first U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Reeves served as a federal peace officer in what was then called “Indian Territory” during the post-Reconstruction era.
Establishing techniques modern police officers use today, such as undercover investigations, Reeves was able to capture over 3,000 criminals without ever getting wounded. As such, he has become “the greatest frontier hero in American history,” according to the show’s description. He is also thought to be the basis for the pop culture character The Lone Ranger. In the 1950s, the character was whitewashed, but in recent years, Reeves’ influence on the character has been re-established and is now celebrated.
Banks plays Reeves’ “strong and fiercely loyal wife” Jennie and Goodluck plays Billy Crow, “a young Cherokee man with an affinity for dime store books and gaudy style.” Pepper plays Esau Pierce, the leader of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles and described as “a battle tested warrior.” Sutherland plays Judge Isaac Parker, “an imposing and commanding judge in the Fort Smith Courthouse with a complicated legacy,” and Quaid will play Deputy U.S. Marshal Sherrill Lynn.
Supporting cast members include Demi Singleton as Bass and Jennie’s daughter Sally, Joaquina Kalukango as Esme, a former slave who is close with the Reeves family, Lonnie Chavis, as Arthur Mayberry, a young boy who likes Sally and Mo Brings Plenty as Minco Dodge, a Choctaw Native American and Reeves’s friend. Other cast members include Rob Morgan, Ryan O’Nan, Grantham Coleman, Dale Dickey, Tosin Morohunfola, Margot Bingham, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley, and guest stars Shea Whigham and Garrett Hedlund.
Executive producing along with Oyelowo and Sheridan are Chad Feehan, David C. Glasser, Jessica Oyelowo, David Permut, Christina Alexandra Voros, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari and David Hutkin.
