It’s been well over a year sinceTaylor Sheridan’sLawmen: Bass Reevescame to a close. After eight episodes, the Paramount+ series wrapped up with a bang, and we’ve missed the Western yarn ever since.David Oyelowoshone brightly as the titular lawman and elevated a lesser-known historical figure to legendary status with ease. To say that we want moreLawmenwould be an understatement, but not necessarily following Bass Reeves. Sure, we love the U.S. Marshal, but if Paramount+ is to continue this series beyond a single season, then it needs to lean into becoming a true anthology.
After Being Developed as a ‘Yellowstone’ Spin-Off, ‘Lawmen’ Became a Standalone Series
Although Taylor Sheridan is listed as one of the producers ofLawmen, the series was actually the brainchild ofChad Feehan. In theearly days ofBass Reeves, it was initially reported that the show would be aYellowstonespin-off, particularly branching out from the world created in1883. For some, this was exciting. After all, to see the Yellowstone Universe cater to more than just the Duttons wascertainly a nice change of pace. But as the series was developed,Feehan pulled away from Sheridan’s television epic altogether, deciding instead to rework the series asLawmen: Bass Reeves. A miniseries all of its own making,Lawmenthrived as a compelling take on Bass Reeves that expanded his story more than any visual narrative has done before. So, when the limited series ended, some rightfully wondered ifLawmenwould be back, either with Oyelowo back in the leading role or with a new cast entirely.
Back in April 2024,Deadlinespoke with Feehan, who teased that ifLawmencontinued, it would be in an anthology format.“If there is another season ofLawmen,it will focus on a new lawman or law woman,” the creator explained. “There are several figures in history much like Bass who deserve their day in the sun.” Still, no renewal announcement ever came from the streamer (despiteBass Reeves' massive streaming success) and neither did a cancellation notice. The project simply fell to the wayside, and has seemingly yet to reawaken. But us Western enthusiasts need a show likeLawmen. It would certainly fill the gaping hole thatYellowstoneleft wide open and scratch an itch that former Western anthologies likeDeath Valley DaysorDead Man’s Gunmanaged to do.
We Need a ‘True Detective’-style Western Series — and ‘Lawmen’ Fits the Bill
Who doesn’t love a good anthology story? For over a decade now,True Detectivehas offered various season-long tales that dig deep into the crime and detective genres. Its thematic material, stellar casts, and season-long narratives have (for the most part) proven successful, and every new season feels like an event. While not the only anthology series to garner high praise in recent years, it reminds us that there is a demand for stories structured using this distinct format.Lawmen: Bass Reeves' ratings spoke for themselves, as did the Hollywood trends at large. Because ofYellowstone,Westerns seemed to be returningon a larger level than before. Aside from the expanded Yellowstone Universe proper, the 2020s offered adjacentYellowstone-like projects likeJoe Pickett,Walker,Billy the Kid,American Primeval,Territory, and others (including “Weird Westerns” likeOuter Range), which further proved viewers' appetite for TV Westerns.
How ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ Went From Being Shut Down to One of Paramount’s Biggest Hits
The series stars David Oyelowo and Lauren E. Banks.
The problem is,most of these shows were cancelled too soon, and withYellowstoneno longer what it used to be, it seems that Hollywood’s brief television love-affair with the modern genre has ridden into the sunset. While that, of course, doesn’t mean that Westerns will be a thing of the past, it feels like they’re no longer a priority. Westerns are powerful. They speak to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of not just other evil men, but the untamed wilderness itself. They signal a change in the times, as the old fades away and “progress” begins to boom. The genre has had quite a bit to say for over a century, and that’s as true these days as ever. As the only show of its kind,Lawmenas an anthology has the opportunityto highlight historical figureswho may never have had their stories told— and shed new light on the living legends we thought we knew.
There Are Many Ways Paramount+ Can Continue ‘Lawmen’ as a Western Anthology Series
Based on Feehan’s previous comments alone,the possibilities are endless for howLawmencould continue. There are plenty of historical lawmen to choose from. Perhaps instead of highlightingWyatt Earp, a future season may center more on thelesser-known Virgil or Morgan Earp. Maybethe legendary Bat Mastersoncould finally receive his 21st century debut, with an updated story to show just how versatile the man’s life truly was. Of course, there are always relative unknowns as well. Considering the way that Taylor Sheridan has used historical law officers in hisYellowstoneprequel dramas,such asBilly Bob Thornton’s Marshal Jim Courtrightfrom1883orJennifer Carpenter’s Marshal Mamie Fossettin1923, it seems like a waste if we don’t get moreLawmaninstallments in the future that could expand on a single historic figure’s story in a way that Sheridan-made cameos could not.
Who knows,maybe the show could even pull actors over from the Yellowstone Universe to continue on with some of these characters, such as Carpenter’s Marshal Fossett, thus retroactively connecting them after all. With an almost endless supply of historical figures to choose from,Lawmancould bethe next great Western anthology series, and withYellowstone’s prequels inching closer and closer to the present with each new installment, we need more good, old-fashioned horse operas that stick firmly to the past.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves
