Lawmen: Bass Reeves: All the details on the Yellowstone spin-off

Updated: July 3, 2023 – Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 series shall live on! The hit Paramount+ original is a prequel spin-off of the wildly popular Yellowstone which airs on Paramount Network.

In the show, fans of the Duttons were introduced to James and Margaret Dutton as they led their family–with the help of Shea Brennan and a former Buffalo soldier by the name of Thomas–to Montana. Now viewers will be returned to that period in the Yellowstone universe, however, it won’t be from the perspective of the Duttons as viewers may expect. Here’s what we know about the next installment in the 1883 universe.

Does 1883 have a second season?

No, however, it will have a spin-off titled1883: The Bass Reeves Story which will focus on the iconic U.S. Marshal who’s believed to have inspired the narrative behind The Lone Ranger.

Paramount+ had previously announced that a Bass Reeves series was on order, but its connection to 1883 hadn’t been disclosed. Now that the show’s place in this beloved universe has been made public, viewers privy to the storytelling, action, and history Sheridan works into his series can certainly anticipate quite the adaptation of Reeves’ storied career.

Is Bass Reeves a real person?

Yes. He was born in July 1838 and passed away on January 12, 1910. Reeves was the first Black deputy marshal west of the Mississippi River. He conducted his duties mostly in Arkansas and the Oklahoma territory. Given the year the show will be set in, we’ll be dropped into Reeves’ life as he’s entering his 50s though the series will likely flashback to his life under slavery, his escape during the Civil War, and his life as a free man before he became a deputy.

Does 1883: The Bass Reeves Story have a release date?

An official release date has yet to be announced, however, the series is expected premiere later in 2022.

Is 1883: The Bass Reeves Story a limited series?

Yes, like its predecessor, 1883, Reeves’ show will be a miniseries.

1883: The Bass Reeves Story cast

So far the only cast member announced for the series is David Oyelowo. He’ll be playing Bass Reeves, the legendary lawman himself.

1883: The Bass Reeves Story synopsis

The logline per TVLine:

"Known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, and also believed to be the inspiration for The Lone Ranger, Reeves worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded."

While this is the same series that had previously been referred to as “the next chapter” of 1883‘s story, fans of the show that Bass Reeves’ series is spin-off from shouldn’t anticipate his story to be a continuation of the Duttons’.

We won’t be naysayers about potential cameos, however, Sheridan has stated, “I created this peek through time to show you this one specific journey,” and made it clear he’s moved on. Bass Reeves’ show is the next chapter in the universe Sheridan is creating even though he’s leaving behind 1883’s Duttons to do so.

We’ll keep you posted on more Yellowstone universe news as it comes in. Stay tuned to Hidden Remote!