Is Lawmen: Bass Reeves connected to Yellowstone?

Yellowstone is a very popular show that has lots of equally successful spin-offs. We just can’t get enough of this Western world! And now with Lawmen: Bass Reeves having premiered, some of you might be wondering if the story is part of the Kevin Costner-led universe.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is not connected to Yellowstone. Initially when the series was announced, the Paramount+ shared that it would be a spin-off to Yellowstone prequel series 1883. Hence the confusion now. However, things changed as the show was being developed. And so, we’re sorry to say that we’re not getting more of the Duttons’ backstory. Bass Reeves is completely separate and not part of the Taylor Sheridan world.

How could that happen? Well, we do have an explanation. Red on below to find out from the creator of the new Western himself why initial plans changed!

Why Lawmen: Bass Reeves is not connected to Yellowstone

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is not a part of the Yellowstone universe anymore because creator and showrunner Chad Feehan realized the dates wouldn’t have matched up for it to serve as a spin-off to 1883, per TVLine. That’s because the new Western series takes place from around 1862 to 1877, according to Feehan. Here’s what he told the outlet:

"[The Yellowstone spin-off was]  an idea that we briefly talked about. But for me, once I learned some of the things I didn’t know about Bass’ life, and decided where we wanted to start the story and where we wanted to end the story, it preceded 1883."

And Bass Reeves’ life was certainly interesting! The titular character is based on the real-life figure from history. He was the first Black man that was a former slave turned law enforcement officer. He was also one of the first Black officials to become U.S. Marshals. Reeves was born in July 1838 and died in January 1910 at the age of 71.

And it’s this story, as well as the “weight of the badge” on his family, that the new series on Paramount+ explores. And while this isn’t one of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone projects, he is attached to Bass Reeves! Sheridan serves as an executive producer on the series.

The show, starring David Oyelowo as the titular character, premiered Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 with the first two episodes. They will be followed by one new installment weekly until the finale on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. There’s a total of eight episodes.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves streams new episodes Sundays on Paramount+.