Summary
- Bass Reeves is a significant historical figure who became one of the first black U.S. Marshals after the Civil War, capturing dangerous outlaws during the 19th century.
- The upcoming series Lawmen: Bass Reeves will premiere on Paramount+ and chronicle Reeves' life and law enforcement career in the late 1800s.
- This portrayal of Bass Reeves will be the tenth notable one in film and TV, with previous actors including Gary Beadle, Colman Domingo, and Adrien Holmes. David Oyelowo's performance in the upcoming series has the potential to be a defining role in his career.
The upcoming Lawmen: Bass Reeves won't be the first time that historical figure Bass Reeves has been portrayed in Western films and television. Reeves is one of the most significant figures in American history following the Civil War and the Thirteenth Amendment which freed all slaves in 1865. Reeves was born into slavery in Arkansas under the ownership of William Steele Reeves. After the abolishment of slavery in the United States, Reeves went on to become one of the first black U.S. Marshals in American history known for capturing some of the most dangerous wanted men of the 19th century.
Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone spin-off Lawmen: Bass Reeves is set to premiere exclusively on Paramount+ on November 5, 2023. The series, created by Chad Feehan of Ray Donovan acclaim, will follow the life and law enforcement profession of Reeves during the late 1800s. This will mark the second series in the Yellowstone universe that will take place during the 19th century period of the American Wild West, similar to the popular prequel series 1883 starring Harrison Ford and Helen Miren. The legend of Reeves as a formidable U.S. deputy who captured more than 3,000 dangerous criminals in Arkansas without ever being wounded will be chronicled in the new series, marking the tenth notable portrayal of Reeves in film and TV.
10 Gary Beadle in Around the World in 80 Days (2021– )
Gary Beadle portrayed Bass Reeves in the recent TV adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days. Bass Reeves is depicted in only one episode of the PBS/Masterpiece series in season 1, episode 7 which was released in February 2022. Reeves comes along in Around the World in 80 Days when protagonist Phileas Fogg encounters him bringing his captive Ku Klux Klan member Ambrose Abernathy to his murder trial. The scenario sets up an intense pursuit and violent showdown that marks one of the most exciting episodes of the series.
9 Colman Domingo in Timeless (2016–2018)
Colman Domingo played Bass Reeves in season 1, episode 12 of the sci-fi series Timeless titled "The Murder of Jesse James." One of the antagonists joins forces with a known outlaw in the Wild West, which forces the team of protagonists to seek out the assistance of lawman Bass Reeves to track them down. Domingo has appeared in several historically significant films including Steven Spielberg's Lincoln and Ava DuVernay's Selma alongside David Oyelowo's portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King. He is best known for his roles on Fear the Walking Dead and the HBO series Euphoria.
8 Adrien Holmes in Wynonna Earp (2016–2021)
Adrien Holmes portrayed Bass Reeves in season 2, episode 7 of the paranormal genre-blending series Wynonna Earp titled "Everybody Knows". Holmes is perhaps best known for his roles in the films The Cabin in the Woods and Elysium. He has also made appearances in the Amazon series The Boys as well as television shows such as Arrow and Supernatural. His performance as Bass Reeves on Wynonna Earp premiered back in 2017.
7 David Ramsey in DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016–2021)
David Ramsey played lawman Bass Reeves in season 6, episode 8 of DC's Legends of Tomorrow in 2021 titled "Stressed Western". The episode follows the premise of The Legends going back in time to the Old West to investigate the emergence of an alien which leads to their encounter with Bass Reeves. Ramsey has also portrayed two other characters in three additional episodes DC's Legends of Tomorrow, John Diggle from Arrow and Spartan. He has also appeared as John Diggle in the CW's The Flash, Superman & Lois, Batwoman, and Supergirl.
6 Harry Lennix in They Die by Dawn (2013)
Harry Lennix plays Sheriff Bass Reeves in the ensemble Western short film They Die By Dawn. The film also stars several prominent actors including Rosario Dawson, Giancarlo Esposito, Isaiah Washington, and Michael Kenneth Williams. Lennix is best known for his movie roles in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Ray, and The Matrix Reloaded. He has also appeared on television as Frank Sacker in the Showtime series Billions, Marcus Walker in Insecure, and Harold Cooper in The Blacklist.
5 David Gyasi in Hell on the Border (2019)
David Gyasi starred as Bass Reeves in the 2019 Western film Hell on the Border alongside Ron Perlman. The film is loosely based on real events that chronicle Reeves' rise to being named the first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River, taking place in Arkansas in 1875. Gyasi has acted in several famous films, including Christopher Nolan's Interstellar and The Dark Knight Rises. He has also appeared in Annihilation, Cloud Atlas, Maleficent, Carnival Row, and recently starred in the Netflix political drama The Diplomat alongside Keri Russel.
4 Isaiah Washington in Corsicana (2022)
Isaiah Washington portrayed Bass Reeves in the independent Western film Corsicana which he also co-wrote and directed. Washington is best known for his role as Dr. Preston Burke on the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy. He has also appeared in several other network television series including The 100, Bull, and Blue Bloods. Corsicana marks Washington's first performance as Reeves as well as his directorial debut.
3 Delroy Lindo in The Harder They Fall (2021)
Delroy Lindo appeared as Bass Reeves in the Netflix Western movie The Harder They Fall alongside an ensemble cast including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Idris Elba, and LaKeith Stanfield. The film follows a group of outlaws that Bass Reeves ultimately encounters in the Old West. Lindo has appeared in notable films such as Get Shorty, Malcolm X, and Da 5 Bloods. He has recently starred as Edwin in the Hulu series Unprisoned and as Adrian Boseman in the acclaimed series The Good Fight.
2 Jamal Akakpo in Watchmen (2019)
Jamal Akakpo appeared as Bass Reeves in the HBO television adaptation of Watchmen. Akakpo was depicted in a fictional old silent film within the series titled "Trust in the Law" and is largely influential over the character Will Reeves in the series. Akakpo is known for his other roles in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hawaii Five-0, and Black Lightning. He has also appeared in episodes of Chicago P.D., Florida Man, and the acclaimed series Atlanta.
1 David Oyelowo in Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023)
David Oyelowo is set to star in the most highly-anticipated rendition of Bass Reeves' character in film or television history. Oyelowo has recently appeared in the celebrated Apple sci-fi series Silo as well as the recent crime comedy See How They Run. He is best known for his portrayal of Martin Luther King in Selma and as Peter Snowden in the HBO film Nightingale. His star role as Bass Reeves in the upcoming Lawmen: Bass Reeves has the potential to become one of the defining roles of his career.