Netflix just unveiled the official trailer for Bass x Machina, an animated steampunk action series that takes the real-life legend of Bass Reeves and rockets him into a bizarre, mechanized version of the Old West. The show, created by LeSean Thomas (Yasuke), promises a wild ride through a fractured America where the Civil War never really ended—it just got stranger.
In this reimagining, Reeves is voiced by Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry, who trades the historical gravitas of his Lawmen: Bass Reeves counterpart for a grittier, more fantastical mission. The trailer shows a land overrun by outlaws, mechanical monsters, and supernatural threats. Bass, a haunted loner and bounty hunter, is called upon by the government to stop a rogue Confederate scientist armed with terrifying technology. Along the way, he'll face steam-powered minotaurs, towering mechs, and mysterious forces with electrifying powers of their own.
For those who followed the Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves, this is a sharp left turn. That show, created by Chad Feehan and starring David Oyelowo, earned critical praise for its grounded portrayal of the first Black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. It was intended to launch an anthology of lawmen stories, but despite a Certified Fresh 79% score and interest from both Feehan and Oyelowo, a second season hasn't materialized. Netflix's Bass x Machina takes the same historical figure and gives him a full sci-fi overhaul—while keeping his six-shooter firmly in hand.
The voice cast is stacked. Alongside Henry, who's known for his roles in Causeway and Spider-Verse, the series features Janelle Monáe, Tati Gabrielle, Cree Summer, Chaske Spencer, Currie Graham, and Starletta DuPois. Animation duties fall to Studio Mir, the Korean studio behind Devil May Cry and Skull Island, so expect fluid, kinetic action sequences.
Thomas has a knack for blending history with genre flair—his previous Netflix anime Yasuke did the same for the legendary African samurai. With Bass x Machina, he's pushing even further into speculative territory, mixing Western tropes with steampunk aesthetics and a hefty dose of supernatural intrigue.
If you're a fan of Westerns with a twist, Netflix has been quietly building a solid library. From the underrated slow-burn Western 'Godless' to the upcoming return of 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners', the streamer clearly has an appetite for genre-bending frontier tales. Bass x Machina looks to carve out its own niche with a unique blend of history, horror, and high-tech mayhem.
The trailer doesn't skimp on spectacle: we see Bass facing down a steam-powered minotaur, dodging gunfire from mechanical soldiers, and grappling with his own traumatic past. It's a far cry from the solemn historical drama of the Paramount+ series, but it's clearly aiming for a different kind of thrill ride.
No release date has been announced yet, but with the trailer now out, expect Bass x Machina to hit Netflix sometime next year. For fans of animation, sci-fi, and Westerns, this is one to keep on your radar.
