What is the Lawmen Bass Reeves release date? Wouldn’t you know it, Taylor Sheridan gave us another Western series, this time with David Oyelowo in the leading role as he takes on the true story of the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves was, at one point, envisioned as a Yellowstone spin-off. Then it became a standalone series with Taylor Sheridan serving as executive producer, and Bass Reeves untethered itself from the Yellowstone timeline. Here, we tell you how to watch, who’s in the cast, and whether it stands as one of the best TV series of the year.
Who’s in the Lawmen: Bass Reeves cast?
David Oyelowo leads the Lawmen: Bass Reeves cast as Reeves himself, but he’s not the only big name attached to the series.
Donald Sutherland plays Judge Isaac Parker, a terrifying judge in the Fort Smith Courthouse who gives Reeves his Marshal badge. This is, of course, all thanks to Dennis Quaid’s drunken, loud-mouthed Sherrill Lynn, a fellow Marshal who first hires Reeves to help him on a job.
Standing side-by-side with Reeves is his loyal wife Jennie, played by Lauren E. Banks. Shea Wigham, fresh out of Mission Impossible, plays Major George Reeves, Bass Reeves’ original master before he goes out on his own.
Here’s the Lawmen Bass Reeves cast list:
- David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves
- Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn
- Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow
- Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves
- Donald Sutherland as Judge Isaac Parker
- Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce
- Demi Singleton as Sally Reeves
- Grantham Coleman as Edwin Jones
- Garrett Hedlund as Garrett Montgomery
- Dale Dickey as Widow Dolliver
- Margot Bingham as Sara Jumper
- Tosin Morohunfola as Jackson “Jackrabbit” Cole
- Mo Brings as Minco Dodge
- Joaquina Kalukango
- Justin Hurtt-Dunkley
- Shea Whigham
- Lonnie Chavis
- Rob Morgan
- Ryan O’Nan
Lawmen: Bass Reeves release date and reviews
The first two episodes of Lawmen: Bass Reeves premiered on Sunday, November 5, 2023, on Paramount Plus, and are dropping weekly.
Here’s the full release schedule for Lawmen Bass Reeves:
- Episode 1: Sunday, November 5, 2023
- Episode 2: Sunday, November 5, 2023
- Episode 3: Sunday, November 12, 2023
- Episode 4: Sunday, November 19, 2023
- Episode 5: Sunday, November 26, 2023
- Episode 6: Sunday, December 3, 2023
- Episode 7: Sunday, December 10, 2023
- Episode 8: Sunday, December 17, 2023
On the review front, things are looking very good for Sheridan’s latest series. Our own Jessica Cullen gave three stars and said: “With a faultless leading performance from Oyelowo and effective punches of action, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a sharpshooter,” in her Lawmen: Bass Reeves review.
Right now, the series is sitting at 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, with other critics also praising Oyelowo’s performance, as well as the thrilling action sequences that come par for the course with all the best Westerns.
What’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves about?
Lawmen: Bass Reeves focuses on the real historical character of the legendary lawman and the first Black deputy of the U.S. Marshals.
Bass Reeves could speak several Native American languages, arrested over 3,000 outlaws, and killed 14, allegedly without ever suffering any serious injury. He is said to be the inspiration behind The Lone Ranger.
The series begins with Reeves’ years as a slave to a U.S. cavalry officer during the Civil War, and his subsequent escape. He also finds solace with a family for a number of years who teach him to speak their Native American language, which later makes him a notable character to Sherrill Lynn.
The show covers a number of years, starting in 1862. Throughout this, Reeves has a family of his own, earns his title as U.S Marshal, and… well, becomes a legend.
Here’s the Official Lawmen: Bass Reeves synopsis:
“Revealing the untold story of the most legendary lawman in the Old West, Lawmen: Bass Reeves follows the journey of Reeves (Oyelowo) and his rise from enslavement to law enforcement as the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. Despite arresting over 3,000 outlaws during the course of his career, the weight of the badge was heavy, and he wrestled with its moral and spiritual cost to his beloved family.”
Is there a Lawmen: Bass Reeves trailer?
A teaser trailer for Lawmen: Bass Reeves was released on September 7, 2023, followed by a full trailer on October 10. As expected, it looked awesome.
You can watch the full trailer for yourself below. We got a real first look at Bass Reeves himself, and he certainly seemed like a force to be reckoned with. Expect the usual fare: gripping gunfights, dramatic action, and a vicious battle between morality and man.
Where can I watch Lawmen: Bass Reeves?
Lawmen: Bass Reeves is streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus, with episodes dropping every week at 3am ET until December 17, 2023.
Makes sense, since Paramount Plus is the home of all things Sheridan. This is where you can watch his other shows, like Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, and, of course, Yellowstone.
How many Lawmen: Bass Reeves episodes are there?
Lawmen: Bass Reeves has eight episodes.
For more small-screen Western drama, check out our guide to Yellowstone season 5 part 2. We’ve also got info on Kevin Costner’s new movie with our guide to the Horizon release date.
We’ve also got a breakdown of the best Taylor Sheridan TV series and movies, as well as a list of the 10 shows like Yellowstone to watch next. You can also check out what’s new on Paramount Plus this month, and find out about all the other best drama series around.