1883: Bass Reeves Release Date Speculation, Plot, & Latest News

On May 18, 2022, Paramount+ announced that Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming limited series 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be an 1883 spin-off series.

The series will star Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves, the legendary 19th-century lawman of the Wild West.

1883 looked at how the first generation of Dutton ranchers found their way to Montana, where they established the iconic Yellowstone ranch.

Starring country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as pioneers James and Margaret Dutton, it accurately depicts the tough life and lawlessness of the era.

1883 will not be getting a second season. Instead, there will be a new spin-off series called 1883: The Bass Reeves Story about the legendary lawman Bass Reeves rather than the Duttons.

According to Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, 1883 was originally meant to be a one-season show.

While 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will expand the Yellowstone universe, it is not a continuation of 1883 and won’t focus on the Dutton family. It is unknown if any Duttons will feature in the series.

1883: The Bass Reeves Story Release Date Speculation

There is no official release date for 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, though the network has hinted at it being released in late 2023.

In February 2022, Paramount+ announced that the “next chapter” of 1883 would originally premiere in late 2022. However, the series was delayed and the start of production set back to 2023.

There is no news yet as to if the series has started to film yet or not.

1883: The Bass Reeves Story Plot

So far, Paramount has been keeping quiet about the plot of 1883: The Bass Reeves Story aside from the fact that it will follow the legendary lawman Bass Reeves. However, since 1883: The Bass Reeves Story is not a direct follow-up of the original series, we won’t be seeing the same storylines as in 1883.

Assuming the miniseries will take place in the titular year, the story would commence eight years into Bass Reeves’ service as U.S. Marshall.

As for the stories Taylor Sheridan is planning to tell through the show, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Who is Bass Reeves?

The show’s titular character is based on a real historical figure of the same name. Bass Reeves was the first black citizen to become U.S. Marshal in the Wild West once slavery ended in 1865.

”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,” reads the show’s official synopsis.

Freed from slavery in his late 20s, Reeves spent considerable time in Indian territory which led to his recruitment as U.S. Marshall in 1875.

Throughout his career, he recorded over 3,000 arrests and killed 14 outlaws in self-defense. While in service, he was responsible for patrolling 75,000 square miles of Indian Territory.

If you’d like to know more about Bass Reeves, watch this brilliant YouTube documentary below:

1883: The Bass Reeves Story Cast

British actor David Oyelowo is set to play the main character Bass Reeves in 1883: The Bass Reeves Story.

The accomplished actor previously portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in the historical movie Selma (2014) and has various film and television credits to his name.

His other notable acting appearances include Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Jack Reacher (2012), The Butler (2013), Queen of Katwe (2016), and A United Kingdom (2016).

For his portrayal of Peter Snowden on Nightingale (2014), he received a Golden Globe and Emmy Award nomination.

On the small screen, he starred in Star Wars: Rebels (2014-2018) and Les Misérables (2018-2019), among others. More recently, he appeared in the lead role of The Girl Before (2021).

Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that Yellowstone Rip Wheeler actor Cole Hauser has joined the cast of 1883: The Bass Reaves Story. Whether on purpose or not, Hauser let slip the news speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the premiere party of Yellowstone Season 5.

However, when pressed for details, he declined with a polite “No ma’am,” suggesting he is bound by contract not to give away too much too soon.

Dennis Quaid has also joined the cast of 1883: The Bass Reeves Story. According to Variety, he will star as Sherrill Lynn, a Deputy U.S. Marshall.

Quaid is best known for his roles in Innerspace (1987), Wyatt Earp (1994), The Parent Trap (1998), The Rookie (2002), Far From Heaven (2002), and Footloose (2011). He is an award-winning actor and a Golden Globe Nominee.

Currently, we don’t have any further information about the cast of 1883: The Bass Reeves Story. However, since the show is set around the same time as the original series, we might see some familiar faces from the 1883 universe.

How Many Episodes are There 1883: The Bass Reeves Story?

According to Paramount+, there will be six episodes in 1883: The Bass Reeves Story. Based on Taylor Sheridan’s other creations, we can expect the episodes to be approximately an hour long.

As revealed by Deadline, Taylor Sheridan will be directing the first two episodes of 1883: The Bass Reeves Story.

The Western storyteller will also serve as an executive producer of the show, alongside lead actor David Oyelowo and his wife Jessica.

It is not yet known who will be directing the remaining four episodes of the series. However, Oyelowo shared during the launch event of Paramount Plus in the UK that he hopes to appoint a diverse group of directors for the role.

Where Can I Watch 1883: The Bass Reeves Story?

You can watch 1883: The Bass Reeves Story exclusively on Paramount+ once the show is released. Outside the United States, the streaming service is available in Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, Australia, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

While Yellowstone is not currently streaming on the platform, spinoff series 1883 and 1923 are both Paramount+ originals.

You can sign up to Paramount+ for just $4.99/month or $49.99/year to enjoy its full library with limited commercials. However, if you don’t want to sit through ads, you’ll need to upgrade to the Premium version for $9.99/month or $99.99/year.