Paramount+'s new Western drama "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" premieres on Sunday.
The show is executive produced by "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan.
David Oyelowo stars as Bass Reeves, one of the first Black men to serve as a deputy US marshal.
The new Western series "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" is based on a real-life historical figure.
Bass Reeves was the first Black US Marshal west of the Mississippi River. In the Paramount+ show, he's portrayed by David Oyelowo. Dennis Quaid, Lauren E. Banks, and Demi Singleton also star, and the show is executive-produced by Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the "Yellowstone" universe.
Here's the cast of "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" and a description of who they're playing.
David Oyelowo plays Bass Reeves
David Oyelowo on "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," left; right, in 2023.
Emerson Miller/Paramount+; Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
Reeves is a real-life historical figure — he was one of the first Black deputy US marshals west of the Mississippi River. According to his biography, he was born into slavery but later escaped. Reeves was responsible for apprehending numerous outlaws, and became a police officer after retiring from the US Marshals Service. The legendary Western hero may have even inspired the Lone Ranger.
In addition to his storied life and accomplishments, the show promises to focus on the toll that Reeves' profession took on his family members.
Oyelowo recently starred on the Apple TV+ series "Silo," and has also appeared in numerous films, including "Selma," "The Midnight Sky," and "See How They Run."
Lauren E. Banks plays Reeves' wife
Lauren E. Banks on "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," left; right, in 2022.
Emerson Miller/Paramount+; Robin L Marshall/WireImage
Reeves' choice of profession has ramifications that are felt by his family members, including his wife Jennie, who's described as "strong and fiercely loyal."
This is one of Banks' first major TV roles. She previously starred on Showtime's "City on a Hill," and also appeared on "Gaslit," "Roar," and "Maniac."
Dennis Quaid plays Sherrill Lynn
Dennis Quaid on "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," left; right, in 2023.
Lauren Smith/Paramount+; Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Lynn is a deputy US Marshal, and presumably crosses paths with Reeves as they work to round up outlaws.
Quaid has had a prolific career in Hollywood, starring in major films including "The Big Easy," "Wyatt Earp," "The Parent Trap," and "Yours, Mine & Ours."
Shea Whigham plays slave master George Reeves
Shea Whigham on "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," left, right, in 2023
Emerson Miller/Paramount+; Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
The real-life Reeves' biography mentions that he may have served under his owner's son, George, during the Civil War, fighting for the Confederacy while he was still enslaved. It seems as though Whigham's slave owner character is based on the real-life George Reeves.
Whigham previously starred on HBO'S "Boardwalk Empire," and appeared on both seasons of HBO's "Perry Mason." He also played FBI Agent Michael Stasiak in several "Fast and Furious" movies.
Barry Pepper plays Esau Pierce
Barry Pepper on "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," left; right, in 2019.
Emerson Miller/Paramount+; Marco Piraccini/Archivio Marco Piraccini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Pierce, in the show's universe, is the leader of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles. The Mounted Rifles were a real-life Confederate army regiment during the Civil War.
Pepper has appeared in Western films like "True Grit" and "The Lone Ranger." He also played Robert Kennedy in a 2011 History Channel miniseries about the Kennedy family.
Demi Singleton plays Sally Reeves
Demi Singleton on "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," left; right, in 2023.
Singleton got her big break playing Serena Williams in the 2021 film "King Richard," about the athlete's rise to superstardom. She also appeared on the Epix series "Godfather of Harlem."
Lonnie Chavis plays Arthur Mayberry
Lonnie Chavis on "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," left; right, in 2022.
Emerson Miller/Paramount+; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images