Following the show’s record-setting success on Paramount+, Lawmen: Bass Reeves creator Chad Feehan and star and executive producer David Oyelowo have addressed whether the show will return for future seasons.
In an interview with Variety, Feehan mentioned that he was interested in continuing the story for Lawmen: Bass Reeves Season 2, but that it also depended on Oyelowo’s involvement: “I would love to do more, if David is willing and able. It was partially conscious and partially the narrative that drove the decision to end it in 1877.”
Feehan continued: “But there is plenty of meat left on the bone in Bass’ life: whether it be him arresting his son Bennie or the famous outlaw Bob Dozier, who he had a very cat and mouse type of relationship with. There’s plenty of other stories in the canon that, should Paramount ask, I would be willing and able. I had a wonderful experience, and collaborating with David has been the highlight of my career.”
In the same interview, Oyelowo expressed doubt about reprising his title role: “We’ll see,” the two-time Emmy nominee said. “I mean, the reason it’s called Lawmen: Bass Reeves is there’s a real intention to showcase other stories and characters that are maybe even less known than his. That’s certainly my hope. Hopefully, we’ve blown the hinges off the door for who walks in after us. There’s plenty of other folks who built this country and were integral to what the West was. I have a voracious appetite; I’m very dedicated to the contextualization of Black life. There’s so much more to do and say and celebrate, so I’m focused on those. For now, I’m passing on the baton to whoever’s got next.”
Who is cast in Lawmen: Bass Reeves?
Along with Oyelowo, the cast includes Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Emmy Award winner Barry Pepper, Honorary Oscar recipient Donald Sutherland, and Emmy Award nominee Dennis Quaid.
The ensemble also features Shea Whigham and Garrett Hedlund as guest stars, and, in recurring roles, Joaquina Kalukango, Lonnie Chavis, Grantham Coleman, Tosin Morohunfola, Dale Dickey, Rob Morgan, Ryan O’Nan, Margot Bingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley, and Bill Dawes.
Created for television by executive producer and showrunner Chad Feehan, the series is also executive produced by Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan, David Oyelowo, David C. Glasser, Jessica Oyelowo, David Permut, Christina Alexandra Voros, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, and David Hutkin. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions, and Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ international markets.
“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,” according to the official description. “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. The series is an all-new, standalone anthology series and future iterations will follow other iconic lawmen and outlaws who have impacted history.”
All episodes of Lawmen: Bass Reeves are now streaming on Paramount+.
