Emmy spotlight: David Oyelowo (‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’) embodies the complexity of real-life Deputy U.S. Marshal
Almost a decade after playing Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma,” David Oyelowo delved further back in time in American history to shine a spotlight on another figure, Bass Reeves. On the Paramount+ series “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” the acclaimed actor steps into the shoes of this little-known real-life character and portrays him from the days of his enslavement through the late 1870s, when he has established himself as one of the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshals in the nation. It is a performance of such range and emotional nuance that Emmy voters could very well recognize him with his third nomination next month.
It is not a coincidence that Oyelowo decided to inhabit these two important men from different centuries. As Oyelowo recently shared in an interview with Gold Derby, “I really enjoy the challenge of taking someone or something that the audience thinks they know and bringing depth, almost taking them behind the veil.” He described it as a “privilege” to present the stories of these iconic figures on screen. Watch our full exclusive video interview above.
WATCH our exclusive video interview with Wynn Thomas, ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ production designer
The first episode of the series follows Reeves’ harrowing journey out of slavery. After serving in the Civil War alongside his master George Reeves (Shea Whigham), Bass is afforded a chance to “win” his freedom via a card game. When Bass discovers that he is being cheated – he catches George playing with extra cards in the deck – his rage at this cruelty and unfairness leads him to beat his master unconscious and then flee for his life. Oyelowo makes this harrowing sequence absolutely riveting, putting on full displaying Bass’ deep indignation as well as the terror he feels at what he has done to himself and his wife, Jennie (Lauren E. Banks).
That early scene opposite George proves vital to how Bass understands and relates to the criminals he will later bring to justice as Deputy U.S. Marshal. As Oyelowo said, “Bass is not above behavior that could be deemed criminality. He had to beat his enslaver almost to death in order to escape… He is someone who is able to discern when someone who has participated in what might be deemed to be criminality was doing it out of some sort of necessity.”
WATCH our exclusive video interview with Damian Marcano, ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ director
Oyelowo equally excels in the show’s quieter, reflective moments. The end of the fourth episode, for example, features an intimate scene of the Marshal visiting the blind widow of a man who his right-hand Billy Crow (Forrest Goodluck) shot dead while fleeing a bordello. The Emmy-nominated actor imbues Bass with such compassion and intensity in this moment of comforting the widow, all while hiding from her the full truth about her philandering husband. He is especially strong in a scene in the sixth episode in which the voice of antagonist Esau Pierce (Barry Pepper) haunts Bass by telling him that the two aren’t dissimilar and that they’re both killers. Oyelowo conveys all of Bass’ inner conflict with just the tensing of his facial muscles and the widening of his eyes.
In between dramatic beats, “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” also proves to be a rollocking fun Western with gripping action sequences, whether it is the tense one-on-one shootout at the Bywater General Store or when a gang plays Russian Roulette with Bass after he shot and killed one of their compatriots. Oyelowo described the process of preparing for such demanding action sequences as “even more taxing” than he anticipated, and he shared that he spent “over a year” strength training, including mastering the ability to ride a horse.
Oyelowo’s physical and emotional commitment to rendering Bass Reeves in all of his complexity could earn the actor recognition from the Emmys. He has already earned bids for the role from Critics Choice, Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild.
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