Brian Tyree Henry, known for his roles in "Atlanta" and "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," is set to star as the legendary deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves in the new animated steampunk series, "Bass X Machina." Premiering on November 3rd, the series aims to challenge conventional perceptions of the Western genre by highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of Black and Latino individuals.
"The Wild West really involved Blacks and Latinos as cowboys, and you never really saw that reflected in the movies," Henry told Polygon. "It was all very, very whitewashed." He expressed excitement about Netflix's commitment to a Western led by a Black character and the added appeal of a steampunk aesthetic. "Bass X Machina" reimagines Reeves as a cyborg who underwent experimentation during the Civil War. This fantastical element serves as a vehicle to explore real-world issues of racial injustice and historical struggles.
The series, spanning six episodes, follows Bass as he navigates the frontier, confronting outlaws, mechs, and supernatural adversaries while striving to protect his family. Henry described the episodic structure as a journey, drawing parallels to quest anime where initial goals evolve. "We just want to always keep things moving forward so the viewers are excited and want to play the next episode," he stated.
"Bass X Machina" was created by LeSean Thomas, with animation provided by South Korea's Studio Mir, known for its dynamic, action-heavy style. Henry, an executive producer, took an active role in the production, influencing voice casting, sound design, and Bass's uniform details. He aimed to diversify the Western soundtrack, notably incorporating Kendrick Lamar's "The Blacker the Berry" in the first fight scene and commissioning Janelle Monáe to compose the show's theme song. This approach contrasts with traditional Western scores, incorporating electronic elements to enhance the show's atmosphere.
Henry sees "Bass X Machina" as a potential game-changer for the anime genre itself, noting a personal appreciation for anime and a desire to see more Black and Indigenous leads represented. "I don’t think people think of Black people watching anime as much, but we really fucking love it," he remarked. "I’ve never really seen any anime that has Black leads or Indigenous leads the way that we do, and that’s exciting."
The series shares thematic and tonal sensibilities with Netflix's acclaimed 2023 anime "Blue Eye Samurai." Henry's enthusiasm for the project was sparked by conversations with Netflix director of adult animated series Jermaine Turner, who discussed the platform's growing interest in inclusive and experimental storytelling. "I told Jermaine I really love the way that Netflix animation is branching out in an inclusive and experimental way," Henry said. "They want to experiment and play because there’s just a huge audience that wants that, and I’m part of that audience."