This forgotten Western drama almost started as a Yellowstone spin-off (& I hope it returns for Season 2)

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone (and its many spin-offs) has certainly helped reintroduce the forgotten genre of Westerns to modern television. The popularity of all the Dutton generations' stories proves that the audience wants more of the genre.

I recently discovered Chad Feehan's western drama series, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, which has the same charm as Sheridan's western and needs more recognition. In fact, the show was initially envisioned as a spin-off to 1883 (a Yellowstone prequel series), but was later developed individually.

Starring David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves, Lawmen is based on the real-life story of the titular federal peace officer who captured over 3000 criminals in the 19th century. While the show was not renewed after Season 1, it certainly has much potential.

More on Lawmen: Bass Reeves in our story.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves was initially envisioned as a Yellowstone spin-off series

Although Lawmen is one of the modern television shows that has delivered well in the Western genre, it was initially envisioned as a Yellowstone spin-off. Sheridan's presence as Feehan's friend and an executive producer on the series paid off, and Lawmen was announced as a spin-off to 1883, a prequel to Sheridan's flagship Western.

While Sheridan is passionately invested in many Dutton spin-offs, an 1883 spin-off series was exciting. Since the Dutton family and Sheridan's story are brimming with possibilities, it would have been exciting to see a story other than the Duttons but set in the same universe.

However, later, Feehan pulled out of the Yellowstone universe, and it was announced that the show would be renamed Lawmen: Bass Reeves. With Oyelowo as the titular hero, the show was perceived as a separate Western, which unfortunately ran for only one season.

Feehan discussed Sheridan's western saga's impact on modern television with Deadline:

“Taylor, in such an impressive way, corralled an audience with Yellowstone and that has spun out into amazing shows like 1883 and 1923, [showed] there is an indisputable audience for this...The thing I’m most proud of with this show is the Lawmen: Bass Reeves was the most watched show globally on Paramount+ last year.”

I hope Paramount+ renews Chad Feehan's Lawmen for Season 2

Even on its individual standing, without Yellowstone, Feehan's Lawmen garnered positive reviews and an above-average RT score of 81%.

While Bass Reeves' story seemed to have come to its natural conclusion in Season 1, Feehan discussed his vision for the show as an anthology series with Deadline:

“If there is another season of Lawmen, it will focus on a new lawman or law woman...There are several figures in history much like Bass who deserve their day in the sun. As much as it pains me that this marriage is taking a hiatus, that is the reality.”

Many lawmen like Bass Reeves have not been given their proper due, and Feehan's vision for an anthology series certainly has great potential. Recently, Jennifer Carpenter debuted in the Yellowstone spin-off 1923 Season 2 as a real-life Marshal Mamie Fossett. Not only was her character well-liked, but it also highlighted how history has many unexplored stories about lawmen.

Bass Reeves' positive reviews suggest that the audience liked Feehan's vision, and I hope Paramount+ taps into the story's potential soon. While the network has not yet cancelled the show (which gives me hope), it has been a while since any news about Feehan's Western series came out.

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