Lawmen: Bass Reeves Based on a True Story That's Better Than Fiction

Without a doubt, Taylor Sheridan is one of the most talented writers working in television these days, as his empire over at Paramount+ continues to grow with each passing year. And even though his hit series Yellowstone is going away for the foreseeable future, the writer keeps adding more projects to his resume, proving that his collaboration with Paramount won't be ruined after the ugly feud with Kevin Costner earlier this year.

And it looks like Sheridan's new project could be one of the most exciting he has ever produced.

Sheridan has made a career out of exploring American mythology, so it's no surprise that for his new show he decided to delve into the real-life story of Bass Reeves, one of the most iconic yet largely forgotten heroes in American history. And while some fans assumed that David Oyelowo played a completely fictional character in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, this hero actually existed in real life, and his story is much better than fiction.

The Real Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 and worked under Captain George Reeves until the Civil War broke out, even following the captain to fight for the Confederacy. During the Battle of Pea Ridge, Bass managed to beat up his owner and escape into Indian Territory, saving himself from the chaos and injustice of the war.

These 10 Westerns Are A Must-Watch For Any Film BuffReeves ended up living with the Indians for several years, learning the Muscogee language to perfection and becoming one of the most skilled marksmen of his time. When the war ended, the man became a scout and guide in the Indian Territory, and he and his family made a decent living at it.

In 1875, Bass was appointed US Marshal to protect the Indians, and that's when his real career officially began. Reeves worked as a marshal for 32 years, making more than 3,000 arrests and killing 14 men in the line of duty.

Since there are many legends about Bass Reeves' arrests, Sheridan will surely use some of them in his upcoming series, which will be released this fall on Paramount+.