Tinseltown in Cowtown
How to join the cast of 'Yellowstone' spinoff '1883: The Bass Reeves Story' in Fort Worth
'1883: The Bass Reeves Story" is being filmed around Fort Worth
Fort Worth-area fans of the hit TV shows Yellowstone and 1883 will have the chance to act in the shows’ newest spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, at the end of January.
The new series' talent agency, Legacy Casting, announced on Facebook that they're seeking local people, ages 16-50, to cast as Union and Confederate soldiers.
Casting director Andrei Constantinescu says they are also seeking Native American, specifically Black Seminole, men and women.
“But really, in the world of extras, we’re looking for all body types, ages, etc.,” Constantinescu says.
The agency is hoping to cast hundreds of non-speaking background actors and extras for some of the show’s scenes. For Civil War scenes, several hundred actors will be needed, they say, while some town scenes may require only a few hundred. Exact Fort Worth-area shooting locations have not yet been revealed.
The new six-part series will be a sequel to 1883, about the titular character, a former slave who became one of the first Black U.S. deputy marshals west of the Mississippi River in 1875. Reeves, who will be played by British actor David Oyelowo, is said to have killed 14 outlaws and apprehended more than 3,000 criminals during his time as a marshal.
Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone and 1883, will be the executive producer of Bass Reeves and is expected to direct two episodes. Sheridan is an honorary Fort Worthian who attended Pascal High School and lives on a ranch in Weatherford. This is not his first project in Cowtown, of course. 1883 was filmed in Fort Worth, partially in the Stockyards, in 2021 - much to local spectators' delight.
Those interested in being cast should create a profile with MyCastingFile, where Legacy Casting posts all its casting calls. For non-speaking background extras, there are no auditions. Those cast in Bass Reeves will be selected primarily based on the photos or videos applicants use in their MyCastingFile profiles, Constantinescu says.
Filming in Fort Worth is set to begin in late January. The agency plans to have wardrobe fittings until then. Pay will fluctuate at around $100-$150 per day, depending on the role, Constantinescu says. The base rate is $96 per 10 hours. Most background actors will only work one day, but those cast in a major scene may be required to be on set for multiple days.
While the pay may not look that appealing to some, Constantinescu says the job will be “a lot of fun” and a possible career advancement opportunity.
“If you’re interested in film, if you love to know what it’s like behind the scenes, this is a great experience for you,” he says. “Or if you want to make a career out of film and don’t really know where to get started, this is an awesome place to start because you can watch the process and start kind of making connections, as well.”
There are no COVID-19 vaccine requirements to be cast in the show. However, all cast and crew will be tested for the virus several times per week, Constantinescu says. Background actors will also be required to take a COVID-19 test before going to costume fittings.
For questions about casting, email extras@legacycasting.com.
