All episodes of Lawmen: Bass Reeves are available to stream on Paramount+. The eight-episode limited series premiered Nov. 5, 2023, and it remains one of the service’s most talked-about historical dramas.
The Paramount+ original series, from executive producer Taylor Sheridan and starring Emmy® winner David Oyelowo (Selma), is based on the real, remarkable life of Bass Reeves, one of the most accomplished lawmen in U.S. history, and one of the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi. The show’s combination of historical subject matter, large-scale frontier storytelling, and standout performances has helped keep interest high long after its original release.
This guide covers how to watch Lawmen: Bass Reeves, the story behind the series, the cast, filming locations, and the real history that inspired it.
Key facts
- Premiere date: Nov. 5, 2023
- Streaming service: Paramount+
- Status: Complete limited series now streaming
- Episodes: 8
- Setting: U.S. frontier during the late 1800s
- Based on: The life of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves
How to watch
Lawmen: Bass Reeves is streaming on Paramount+, where viewers can watch all eight episodes from beginning to end. The complete series is available on demand, so you don’t have to wait for new episodes – you can experience the full story in a single viewing session or space it out over several days.
Paramount+ supports streaming across smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile devices, gaming consoles, tablets, and web browsers. Visit the Paramount+ Help Center for more information on plans and pricing.
What the series is about
Lawmen: Bass Reeves follows Bass Reeves as he rises from enslavement to become a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the years following the Civil War. The series traces key moments in his personal and professional life as he navigates a rapidly changing American frontier.
Throughout the story, Reeves faces difficult choices involving justice, family, duty, and survival. The series combines historical events with character-driven drama, making it appealing to viewers interested in American history as well as audiences who enjoy prestige television dramas.
The true story behind the legend
Bass Reeves was a real Deputy U.S. Marshal who served primarily in Indian Territory during the late 19th century. He’s a significant figure in Western history because of his role as one of the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi River. Born into slavery in Arkansas in 1838, Reeves escaped, gained his freedom, and later built a reputation as one of the most effective lawmen in the American West.
Reeves worked across a vast territory that included much of what is now Oklahoma. He found success as a lawman by leveraging the scouting and language skills he learned from several Native Tribes to carry out dangerous assignments such as tracking fugitives and working undercover when necessary.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves draws from documented events in Reeves’ life while dramatizing portions of his journey, mixing historical facts with fictionalized scenes. Sadly, his story remained relatively unknown to many Americans. But that’s where Lawmen: Bass Reeves comes in: For many viewers, the series serves as an introduction to an important American historical figure.
Meet the cast
Here’s a look at the talented and decorated starring cast of Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves
David Oyelowo plays Bass Reeves, the central character of the series. He also serves as an executive producer. The show follows Reeves through pivotal moments in his life and career as he establishes himself as a respected lawman.
Where you’ve seen him: Selma, The Butler, A United Kingdom, Silo
Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves
Lauren E. Banks portrays Jennie Reeves, Bass Reeves’ wife and, therefore, plays a significant role in the family story that runs alongside the series’ law enforcement narrative.
Where you’ve seen her: City on a Hill
Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn
Dennis Quaid plays Deputy U.S. Marshal Sherrill Lynn, a veteran lawman who becomes an important mentor in Bass Reeves’ professional journey.
Where you’ve seen him: The Right Stuff, The Rookie, The Parent Trap
Donald Sutherland as Judge Isaac Parker
Donald Sutherland portrays Judge Isaac Parker, a revered and strict judge known for harsh sentencing. Judge Parker is a pivotal character, as he recruits Bass Reeves as a U.S. Marshal.
Where you’ve seen him: The Hunger Games franchise, M*A*S*H*, Outbreak (1995)
Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow
Forrest Goodluck portrays Billy Crow, a skilled tracker who becomes one of Reeves’ key allies in the field.
Where you’ve seen him: The Revenant, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, and The English.
Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce
Barry Pepper plays Esau Pierce, a powerful rancher whose influence and connections shape major moments throughout the series.
Where you’ve seen him: Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, and True Grit.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves also features: Demi Singleton, Garrett Hedlund, Mo Brings Plenty, Grantham Coleman, Shea Whigham, Donald Sutherland, Joaquina Kalukango, and Lonnie Chavis.
Where it was filmed
Lawmen: Bass Reeves was filmed primarily in Texas. Production used a variety of locations across the state to recreate the frontier environments of the late 19th century.
Why viewers are discovering it now
Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a timeless saga with a story of triumph against all odds. Those attributes matched with historical events makes a series enticing – and one that viewers keep discovering. So whether you love Westerns, are a fan of Taylor Sheridan titles, love seeing David Oyelowo on screen, looking for a show you can binge-watch in a weekend or want something to stream over the Juneteenth holiday weekend, Lawmen: Bass Reeves fills all of those shoes – er, boots.
Will there be another season?
Lawmen: Bass Reeves was developed as a limited series focused on the life of Bass Reeves. Eight episodes tell a complete story centered on the legendary lawman and his experiences during a defining period of his career.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves on Paramount+
All episodes of Lawmen: Bass Reeves are now streaming on Paramount+.
For anyone discovering the series for the first time, it offers a compelling look at a remarkable historical figure whose impact on the American West continues to resonate today.
FAQ
Is Lawmen: Bass Reeves based on a true story?
Yes. Lawmen: Bass Reeves is based on the life of the real Bass Reeves, a Deputy U.S. Marshal who served in Indian Territory during the late 1800s. The series incorporates historical events and people while dramatizing portions of his life for television.
Where was Lawmen: Bass Reeves filmed?
Lawmen: Bass Reeves was filmed primarily in Texas. Production used frontier-style towns, ranches, and natural landscapes throughout the state to recreate the American West of the late 19th century.
When does the story take place?
The story takes place after the Civil War during the late 1800s. Much of the series unfolds in Indian Territory and other regions of the American frontier as Bass Reeves begins his career as a Deputy U.S. Marshal.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves
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