The Yellowstone franchise has many stories to tell, including the story of the historic figure Bass Reeves.
Before viewers could dive deep into the rich history of the Dutton family in the Yellowstone prequel 1883 (which premiered in December 2021) and 1923 (which aired in December 2022 and got a season 2 renewal), news broke that creator Taylor Sheridan was already working on another project about the “greatest frontier hero.” After 1883 showcased how John Dutton (Kevin Costner)’s great-great-grandfather James Dutton (Tim McGraw) made the journey from Tennessee to Montana, many were heartbroken to see that it was Elsa (Isabel May)’s death that landed the family in Paradise Valley.
Although 1883 was originally supposed to be a limited series comprised of 10 hour-long episodes and Bass Reeves would be season 2, different plans were recently revealed for a new anthology series called Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The new show is being considered an “offshoot” of 1883, starring actor David Oyelowo. If this sounds intriguing, keep on reading for more details about Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
When is the Lawmen: Bass Reeves release date?
We know that answer, thanks to a surprise video dropped on the show's official Instagram. Sharing a first-look teaser of what's to come, the series' social team revealed that fans can watch new episodes starting on November 5 on Paramount+.
"He does everything for his family," read an official Instagram post on October 20. "Lawmen: Bass Reeves premieres Nov. 5, only on @paramountplus."
What is Lawmen: Bass Reeves about?
According to an official press release, Lawmen: Bass Reeves "will bring the legendary lawman and outlaws of the Wild West to life." The statement also noted a bit of history, mentioning Bass as "the greatest frontier hero in American history" who captured many criminals without ever getting hurt.
According to History.com, he was born enslaved in 1838 in Arkansas and eventually became known as a defender of “Indian Territory,” which is known today as Oklahoma. At the time, the Native American tribes Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw and Chickasaw ruled the region. When he accepted the job offer, Bass became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi. Reports claim that he arrested more than 3,000 people and killed 14 without getting injured once. It’s also said that he inspired the fictional character the Lone Ranger.
“As the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River, Reeves’ story is monumental, and this limited series will bring to light one of the greatest frontier heroes in our country’s history,” said Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of the MTV Entertainment Group, in September 2021, per Deadline. “We can’t wait to give audiences an exclusive look into his strength, perseverance and absolutely remarkable story,” added David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios.
Make sure you hit "save" at the top of this article to stay up-to-date on the latest news about Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Who is in the cast of Lawmen: Bass Reeves?
Based on numerous reports from Deadline and a look at the cast list on IMDB, here's who fans can expect to see on Lawmen: Bass Reeves:
- David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves
- Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves
- Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow
- Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce
- Demi Singleton as Sally Reeves
- Donald Sutherland as Judge Isaac Parker
- Dennis Quaid as Sherill Lynn
- Joaquina Kalukango as Esme
- Lonnie Chavis as Arthur Mayberry
- Rob Morgan as Ramsey
- Ryan O'Nan as Darrell Dolliver
- Grantham Coleman as Edwin Jones
- Justin Hurtt-Dunkley as Ike
- Dale Dickey as Widow Tolliver
- Margot Bingham as Sara Jumper
- Mo Brings Plenty as Minco Dodge
- Tosin Morohunfola as Jackson "Jackrabbit" Cole
- Shea Whigham as George Reeves
- Garrett Hedlund as Garrett Montgomery
Will Tim McGraw and Faith Hill be in Lawmen: Bass Reeves?
It’s tough to say if David Oyelowo’s Bass will cross paths with Tim McGraw’s James Dutton. While Tim and Faith Hill's names haven't been officially announced as part of the cast, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to think the couple could show up. Nonetheless, it doesn't seem likely at this point.
"As far as Bass Reeves goes, that's a parallel world [with 1883] ... When I'm casting I'm seeking the great actors of our generation and David Oyelowo is a once-a-generation talent," Taylor said in an Instagram video posted in February 2022.
How can I watch and stream Lawmen: Bass Reeves?
Like the original 1883, the follow-up anthology series Lawmen: Bass Reeves will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+. If you don’t have a login yet, you can opt into subscriptions that start at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
Once you sign in to Paramount+, you can watch the original 1883 on the Paramount+ site and Paramount+ app ahead of Lawmen: Bass Reeves. As the show airs new episodes this fall, you’ll get to watch new episodes every week.
Selena is the entertainment and news editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers the latest on TV, movies and celebrities. In addition to writing and editing entertainment news, she also spotlights the Hispanic and Latinx community through her work. She is a graduate of CUNY Hunter College with a B.A. in journalism and creative writing.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
![stars of yellowstone](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/wes-bentley-luke-grimes-and-kelly-reilly-attend-paramount-news-photo-1734732143.pjpeg?crop=0.620xw:0.930xh;0.186xw,0&resize=360:* "Paramount Network's "Yellowstone" Season 5B NYC Premiere")
