David Oyelowo stars as the legendary slave-turned-lawman in the Paramount+ series premiering Nov. 5.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Sherrill Lynn (Dennis Quaid) bluntly poses the inevitable question to his newly authorized fellow deputy: “Think you can handle the weight of the badge?” Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo) offers an unequivocating response: “I know I can.”
Sure enough, Reeves appears more than capable of doing all the derring-do that’s expected of anyone wearing the badge in the latest teaser trailer for Lawmen: Bass Reeves, the eagerly awaited Western drama premiering with two back-to-back episodes Nov. 5 on Paramount+.
Executive produced by Oyelowo and the prolific Taylor Sheridan, the limited-run series created by Chad Feehan focuses on the wilder-than-fiction exploits of legendary slave-turned-lawman Bass Reeves, the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. Many historians and other observers — including Bill O’Reilly, in his 2015 Legends and Lies TV series — have claimed he likely was the real-life model for the fictional Lone Ranger. Indeed, it has been widely noted that Reeves — who was credited with capturing more than 3,000 outlaws while working during the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory — often gave out silver coins (not bullets) as his version of a calling card. His steed of choice was a white stallion. And very much like The Lone Ranger, Reeves was known to be a straight shooter and a fair fighter. Although he killed at least 14 men during gun battles, he steadfastly maintained he never shot a man when it was not necessary for him to do so to save his own life.
In addition to Oyelowo and Quaid, the cast of Lawmen: Bass Reeves includes Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves, the deputy marshal’s supportive but often distressed wife; Donald Sutherland as Judge Isaac Parker, who employs Reeves to track down fugitive outlaws; Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce, leader of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles; and C&I reader favorite Mo Brings Plenty as Minco Dodge, a Choctaw Native American who proves to be an invaluable ally for Reeves. Also featured: Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Shea Whigham, Garrett Hedlund, Joaquina Kalukango, Lonnie Chavis, Grantham Coleman, Tosin Morohunfola, Dale Dickey, Rob Morgan, Ryan O’Nan, Margot Bingham, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley and Bill Dawes.
Here is the new teaser trailer for Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Photos: lauren Smith, Emerson Miller/Paramount+
