'Bass Reeves' Changes Formats At Paramount+ As Donald Sutherland Joins

Instead of being the whole series, it's now a season of a series. Find out the new series title.

Donald Sutherland has joined Paramount+'s Bass Reeves project. However, it's no longer its own series. It is now a season of a greater anthology series, called Lawmen. The season is therefore known as Lawmen: Bass Reeves, with future installments following other iconic lawmen who have impacted history.

Sutherland will recur in the role of Judge Isaac Parker, described as “an imposing and commanding judge in the Fort Smith Courthouse with a complicated legacy.” There's probably a little power-abusing racism in there somewhere. He has been described as one of the most well-known actors of his generation, with film roles including the original film versions of MASH and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as The Dirty Dozen, Animal House, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the remake of The Italian Job, Mr. Harrigan's Phone, and of course, as President Snow in the The Hunger Games movies. His television roles include Commander In Chief, Dirty Sexy Money, Trust, The Undoing, and Swimming with Sharks. His son, Kiefer, who's built an illustrious career in his own right, currently stars on Paramount+ as well, in the spy drama Rabbit Hole.

David Oyelowo will star as Reeves, with other series regulars including Barry Pepper, Lauren E. Banks, Forrest Goodluck, and Demi Singleton. Dennis Quaid, Joaquina Kalukango, Ryan O’Nan, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley, Rob Morgan, Lonnie Chavis, and Grantham Coleman will recur. Shea Whigham and Garrett Hedlund are set to guest star, but it's unknown if they're still recurring guest stars.

Bass Reeves was a real person who, as the logline describes, worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory. He is said to have captured more than 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded, and for it, he is considered the greatest frontier hero in American history.

Currently filming in Texas, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is created, executive produced and showrun by Chad Feehan, as so credited. David and Jessica Oyelowo executive produce under their Yoruba Saxon banner, while Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan does so through Bosque Ranch Productions. David C. Glasser, David Permut, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari and David Hutkin also executive produce, as does Christina Voros, who will also direct five episodes. The series is also produced by MTV Entertainment Studios.

Source: Variety