New Series 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' Explores Life of First Black U.S. Marshal in the West

Series produced by Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan and featuring David Oyelowo as Reeves navigates exploration of the lawman's life between historical accounts and folklore.

The new series 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves', produced by Taylor Sheridan and starring David Oyelowo, is based on the life of Bass Reeves, the first Black U.S. Marshal in the West. The series bridges the gap between historical accounts and folklore.
Bass Reeves was a real person, born into slavery in 1838, who escaped and became a renowned U.S. Marshal due to his excellent knowledge of the area, capturing thousands of fugitives during his 32-year career.
Reeves' on-screen portrayal by David Oyelowo comes after he spent eight years trying to get the story featured, working closely with showrunner Chad Feehan to ensure accurate representation.
The series attempts to reconcile Reeves' heroism with the harsh realities of racism and slavery during his time, although, initial reviews suggest that these aspects are not deeply explored.
The series follows Reeves' life from his beginnings in slavery, escape and eventual appointment as a U.S. Deputy Marshal. It captures his distinctive skills, such as his marksmanship and familiarity with Native American languages and cultures.
While some elements of the series may be based on popular folklore, the bold and courageous deeds of Bass Reeves as a law enforcement officer are grounded in historical fact.