There's a Major Change Coming in Lawmen: Bass Reeves Season 2

Summary

• Lawmen: Bass Reeves was the most watched series on Paramount+ worldwide last year.
• Creator Chad Feehan has announced that the next season, if confirmed, will not feature Reeves, but an entirely new character.
• A second season has yet to be commissioned, suggesting there will be quite a wait before the show returns.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is an American Western series that premiered late last year. However, it has already received a very positive critical reception, earning an impressive 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and becoming the most watched show worldwide on Paramount+.

The show is clearly destined for a series renewal. However, to the surprise of fans, the show's creators have stated that the second season is likely to be very different from the first.

What is Lawmen: Bass Reeves about?

The Western-themed show follows the story of real-life Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, the first African-American to hold the position in the Upper Midwest Territory. Also based on The Bass Reeves book trilogy by Sidney Thompson, the plot of each episode follows Reeves (played by David Oyelowo) as he goes from being held as a slave to becoming one of the most famous lawmen in history.

The series also features a supporting cast that includes Lauren E. Bank, Donald Sutherland, Demi Singleton, Dennis Quaid and Forrest Goodluck.

How season 2 is set to be surprisingly different

During a recent panel discussion sponsored by Deadline, series creator and producer Chad Feehan offered a glimpse into a possible upcoming season. When asked about what was next for the show, Feehan explained that it would likely not revolve around Bass at all, saying the following:

'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'.

While it's certainly a surprise to say goodbye to the famous marshal so soon, it certainly opens up the show to explore a whole new range of interesting historical figures in different settings.

Who will be the next season's historical lawman?

When considering who will be the next protagonist of the Lawmen series, there are several key contenders that could be chosen.

• Wyatt Earp – Known for his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, Wyatt Earp was another legendary figure similar to Reeves in the American Old West. As a lawman, he worked as a deputy marshal and sheriff, enforcing the law in some of the wildest towns of the frontier.
• Kate Warne – Feehan hasn't ruled out the possibility of a female lawman for next season. What better choice than the first female detective in the United States, Kate Warne, who played a major role in the Pinkerton Detective Agency in the 19th century. Her wits, disguises, and investigative skills helped her solve numerous cases, including foiling an assassination attempt on President Abraham Lincoln.
• Eliot Ness – An American Prohibition agent who led the legendary team tasked with bringing down Al Capone's criminal empire. His dedication to justice and incorruptible reputation made him a symbol of law enforcement integrity during the Prohibition era. Ness's story has been told many times already on screen, including in the Kevin Costner film 'The Untouchables' (1987), making him another great choice to base a continuing season on.

We still may see some returning characters

Though it seems that Oyelowo's portrayal of Reeves has likely come to an end, it may not be the very last we see of him. Though his character may no longer be the focus of the show, many of the early prominent law enforcers were, at times, closely associated. This means that it would not be impossible to see some characters return in future seasons.

For example, the supporting character of Judge Parker, played by Donald Sutherland in the first season, was a real and important figure of the time, and gained his own reputation within law enforcement. Sutherland's character would be another great option for a reappearance within the series.

There may be quite a wait until we see more Lawmen

Considering the show's glowing reception and the audience's clear desire for more, it seems highly likely that there will be a return to the show in the future.

However, the Lawmen series has yet to be officially announced for any kind of renewal or continuation. Until more seasons of the show are confirmed, it is unlikely that fans will see the next installment anytime soon. Hopefully, the show's record-breaking popularity will push Paramount to speed up production and keep it from disappearing from our screens for too long.

Source: Deadline.