Season 1 – Lawmen: Bass Reeves

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1:42

Nov 2023

Drama

Western

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Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

From executive producers Taylor Sheridan and David Oyelowo, the untold story of the first Black U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves.

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Critics Consensus

With David Oyelowo capably stepping into the stirrups of Bass Reeves, this gritty procedural is slow to the draw but hits its mark nonetheless.

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Mike Hale

New York Times

Dec 18, 2023

As it went along, it became less of a treat to watch and more of a chore.

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Noel Murray

The Daily Beast

Nov 8, 2023

This Bass Reeves tries his best to take care of his family by serving the cause of justice, even if it means working alongside ethically challenged racists and against the kind of poor and marginalized people he’d prefer to be helping.

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Alison Herman

Variety

Nov 6, 2023

Recognizably of a piece with Sheridan’s filmography, while striking a tone and moving at a pace of its own. It’s a more sustainable execution of the power producer’s distinct vision -- and, more importantly, a better one than some recent attempts.

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Susan Granger

SSG Syndicate

Jun 24, 2024

8/10

This action-packed anthology series exposes and debunks many cliches of the classic, over-sentimentalized Western genre, although folklore still credits Bass Reeves and his Native pal Billy Crow for inspiring the legend of the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

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Sarah Marrs

Lainey Gossip

May 29, 2024

Bass Reeves was overdue for his leading man moment, I just wish Lawmen: Bass Reeves was a little more focused and a more tightly told story.

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Jan 26, 2024

4/5

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a Western, drama in every way so if you love the genre this show is right up your alley.

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Erin A

@Dela-watcher Jul 22, 2026

It showed us that life back then was definitely not easy.It also taught us about a really fascinating story of a man many of us are not told about in US History class. I wish they gave them a bigger budget. it inspired me to read a book about Bass Reeves.

Joe D

@RT53872997 Jun 13, 2026

Bring your puke bucket this is a mess. I guess script writers were cut from the budget.

Craig W.

@CJWolfe27 Sep 8, 2025

I hope the keep making this show, first season is great

Hal G

@RT16553388 Jan 22, 2025

I'm a huge fan of westerns and I thought this was great and I'd love to see more "Lawmen" seasons and I wish this had more episodes in the season, there's definitely more Bass Reeves stories to tell. The directing was great, the acting was top notch, and the cinematography was perfect. There was one scene that really stuck with me, where Bass Reeves was suffering the weight of a really hard day on the road and comes into his home to find another man sitting at the head of the table. This man tries to 'enlighten' Bass on the things he's seen while recruiting Bass to his cause and you could see the blood slowly boiling over inside of Bass while actor David Oyelowo also conveyed a look of incredulity, but also tiredness, emotional exhaustion. Great actor, I really enjoyed how he evolved the character from a respectful slave soldier to a strong upstanding man of the law. Give us more Bass Reeves! Or More Lawmen! Or both!!

Tom F

@RT55173143 Mar 7, 2024

Nothing here but squandered potential.

Larry F

@lfitz Feb 20, 2024

Everything unfolds slowly and it's kind of a chore to watch.

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Chad Feehan

Creator

Christina Alexandra Voros

Director

David Oyelowo

Bass Reeves

Lauren E. Banks

Jennie Reeves

Demi Singleton

Sally Reeves

Forrest Goodluck

Billy Crow

Episode 1

Aired Nov 5, 2023

Part I

Bass rides into hell; Esau makes a violent impression on Bass; Bass escapes his chains, but has to make a hard sacrifice.

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Episode 2

Aired Nov 5, 2023

Part II

Bass and his family endure tough times on their farm; Bass gets a visit from the law and is faced with an interesting proposition.

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Episode 3

Aired Nov 12, 2023

Part III

Bass is sworn in and embarks on his first mission as a U.S. Deputy Marshal; the Underwood gang strikes after Bass is let in on a secret.

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Episode 4

Aired Nov 19, 2023

Part IV

Bass and his new posse man have a fateful encounter at the Women's Boarding House; Jennie reunites with someone from her past.

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Episode 5

Aired Nov 26, 2023

Part V

After pandemonium erupts at Bywater's store, Bass is forced to choose between his oath and family; Sally runs into trouble at the carnival, while Bass confronts an old nemesis.

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Episode 6

Aired Dec 3, 2023

Part VI

Chaos ensues as a firefight breaks out in Checotah; Bass and Jennie have a painful reunion; Bass has an unsettling realization as the myth of Mister Sundown lives on.

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Episode 7

Aired Dec 10, 2023

Part VII

Bass struggles with the weight of the badge like never before. After a deadly mission goes awry, the U.S. Deputy Marshal’s fate is left in the hands of someone else.

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Episode 8

Aired Dec 17, 2023

Part VIII

After a waltz with the devil, Bass, Billy Crow, and Sherrill have a dangerous reckoning with Mister Sundown. Meanwhile, trouble ensues back at the Reeves’ farm.

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Lawmen: Bass Reeves: Season 1 Teaser

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Lawmen: Bass Reeves: Season 1 Featurette - The Legend Behind the Badge

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Lawmen: Bass Reeves: Season 1 Trailer

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Lawmen: Bass Reeves: Season 1 Teaser 2

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Director: Christina Alexandra Voros
Creator: Chad Feehan
Executive Producer: Chad Feehan, Taylor Sheridan, David Oyelowo, David Glasser, Jessica Oyelowo, David Permut, Christina Alexandra Voros, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin
Screenwriter: Jewel McPherson, Chad Feehan
Network: Paramount+
Rating: TV-MA (V)
Genre: Drama, Western
Original Language: English
Release Date: Nov 5, 2023

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Season 1 – Lawmen: Bass Reeves

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