The new western series from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, proves that he can still earn a good score on Rotten Tomatoes after two consecutive failures. After breaking out as a feature screenwriter with Sicario and Hell or High Water, Sheridan made the transition to television when he co-created Yellowstone with John Linson. He’s since expanded the Yellowstone franchise with various spin-offs and created separate shows like the crime drama Tulsa King. Sheridan pretty much has a blank check from Paramount+.
Despite their huge success with audiences, Sheridan’s streaming shows haven’t always been a hit with critics. Sheridan’s last couple of projects have received mixed reviews from critics, with mostly negative appraisals. This seemed to signify that maybe Sheridan’s reign as a TV mogul was coming to an end. But the latest feather in his cap, Lawmen: Bass Reeves – which he didn’t create, but did executive produce – has proven that he can still make great western series that critics enjoy as much as audiences.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ 74% Rotten Tomatoes Score Fixes Taylor Sheridan’s Last 2 “Rotten” Shows
After 1923 was met with near-universal praise and a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the critical reception to Sheridan’s work took a nosedive with his next co uple of projects. Mayor of Kingstown season 2 received a “rotten” 50% Rotten Tomatoes score. This was a step up from season 1’s dismal 35% score, but it was still nothing to brag about. Special Ops: Lioness fared slightly better with a 56% rating, but again, this is a “rotten” score and hardly a sign of widespread critical acclaim.
With an impressive 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Lawmen: Bass Reeves has finally gotten Sheridan back on the “fresh” side of the Tomatometer. The series, created by Chad Feehan, tells the life story of the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Critics have lauded David Oyelowo’s mesmerizing lead performance as Reeves, as well as the slow-burn storytelling that gradually builds to satisfying payoffs. The series is a vast improvement over both Mayor of Kingstown and Special Ops: Lioness.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves Reaffirms Taylor Sheridan’s Western TV Show Domination Ahead Of Yellowstone’s Ending
The success of Lawmen: Bass Reeves has reaffirmed Sheridan’s place as the king of western TV shows. His western shows have always been massively popular amongst audiences and generally boast critical acclaim. Despite hitting a couple of bumps in the road with Mayor of Kingstown and Special Ops: Lioness, Sheridan has resumed his western TV show domination with the success of Lawmen: Bass Reeves. With Yellowstone’s flagship series coming to an end soon, it’s a hopeful sign that he’s still having success with new westerns outside that franchise.