British actor David Oyelowo is drawn to portraying impactful characters, especially Black historical figures throughout the diaspora.
He first gained recognition for playing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2014 film Selma. King Seretse Khama of Botswana in 2016 film, A United Kingdom, and now, with his recent Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Limited Series Made For Television in Paramount Plus’ Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Oyelowo takes on the role of the legendary figure believed to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.
As one of the first Black U.S. Deputy Marshals west of the Mississippi, Reeves is said to have captured over 3,000 outlaws with expert marksmanship and detective skills.
Oyelowo called the pioneering Black lawman a “quintessentially American hero” that he felt “honored” to portray Black historical figures who fought adversity with tenacity and moral courage across different periods and places, fulfilling his passion for showcasing these change-makers.
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