Yahoo Finance Everything We Know About 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' Season 2
Bass Reeves rode into town on a Sunday in November, stayed for eight episodes, and left town this past Sunday. So, how did he do it? Well, actor David Oyelowo (Selma) fought to get the famous lawman's story told in Lawmen: Bass Reeves. "I've been trying to get this one made for over eight years now," Oyelowo told Esquire this past summer, "I have Taylor [Sheridan] to thank for rejuvenating the Western." Now, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has another hit on his hands.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves follows the story of a real-life lawman from the late 18o0s, who escaped slavery and became the first deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. Reeves was partial inspiration for "The Lone Ranger." He was also well known for reportedly arresting over 3,000 outlaws during his time in the service. Alongside Oyelowo, Bass Reeves also stars Donald Sutherland as Fort Smith's "Hanging Judge" Parker and Dennis Quaid as fellow marshal Sherill Lynn.
The two-episode premiere garnered over 7.5 million viewers on Paramount+, according to Deadline, setting a record for the most-watched series premiere on the streamer this year. Given that the series has yet to be renewed, last week's final episode will most likely mark end of the road for Bass Reeves.
"The idea, going forward, is to have other lawmen in history whose story should be told, who haven’t been told, to have the opportunity to tell those stories," Oyelowo told The Hollywood Reporter last month. "I think there is a feeling, which I very much resonate with, that there is real potency and interest in telling stories of this nature about those who, for whatever reason, fell out of history unjustly. I’m a producer on those going forward; so, the idea is to keep the good work going." In another interview with Entertainment Weekly, Oyelowo also stressed that, "It felt right to put a button to the Bass Reeves story."
Someday, maybe we'll get the story of Wild Bill Hickok and his famous dead man's hand. No promises—it's just a personal favorite of mine. Lawmen: Bass Reeves creator Chad Feehan also confirmed to Collider, "Should there be an appetite for a different lawman, I'm excited by that opportunity."
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