Video: 12 Possible Spin-off Shows for Reservation Dogs

The highly acclaimed and well-loved series has come to an end, but there are a ton of possibilities for new shows based on characters in our favorite Rez Dog series

The latest video by Native Viewpoint editor Vincent Schilling

Are you looking for a few fun show ideas after the finale of Reservation Dogs? Check out the latest video on the Vincent Schilling YouTube channel titled: Reservation Dogs: 12 Possible Spin Off Shows

Here is the text of the video (with a few adjustments, as natural speech is a little different than printed text.)

Want to see more Uncle Brownie, Cheese or other possible spinoffs from Reservation Dogs? Stay tuned and find out.

She:kon friends and neighbors, I am Vincent Schilling, the Native guy in a vest and tie, and the editor and founder of NativeViewpoint.com. As we all know, the beloved series Reservation Dogs ended in October, but ever since I posted the interview with Sterlin Harjo, I’ve had a lot of great comments and discussions about possible spin-off shows based on the characters.

For those unfamiliar with Reservation Dogs, it is the story of Reservation life in Oklahoma. It follows four teen Native youth: (“Bear Smallhill,” portrayed by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, “Elora Danan,” portrayed by Devery Jacobs, “Willie Jack,” portrayed by Paulina Alexis; and “Cheese,” portrayed by Lane Factor.) It ran for three seasons on FX and Hulu, and the show, produced by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Watiti, had star-studded appearances from the likes of Wes Studi, Lily Gladstone, Gary Farmer, Zahn McClarnon, Jana Schmieding, Bill Burr, Ethan Hawke.

But now that the show has ended, what is next? Here are possible spinoffs I have created based on characters in the show — just to be clear, these are solely my ideas and not in the makes as far as I know, but hey, you never know what may happen.

# 1 – Mose and Mekko’s Hip Hop Road Trips

Who doesn’t love these guys? In this possible series, Mose and Mekko, played by Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone, perhaps they start the journey on America’s Got Talent – you guys know they performed the (song) Do the Rain Dance for Simon Cowell in real-life years ago, don’t you? Well, in this spin-off, they embark on a world hip-hop tour joined by the likes of actual Native hip-hop artists, and of course, let’s see some screen time for Punkin Lusty, aka Sten Joddi.

# 2 – Deer Lady Murders

In this spin-off show, we see a forensic files type show where Kaniehtiio Horn travels the country as Deer Lady, committing acts of hyper-vigilantism or, shall we say, reparations to the evildoers in this world of ours.  Can you imagine Deer Lady getting interviewed by a detective?

Let’s delve into # 3 – The Spirit World with William Knifeman 

Who doesn’t want to see a show with the ancient Native spirit and proverbial anti-stereotype William Knifeman, portrayed by Dallas Goldtooth? In this series, he could visit other unsuspecting victims who are in serious need of sarcastic spiritual guidance. Of course, since William lives within the veil of two worlds, the show could also be co-hosted by the character of white Jesus. Another possibility is to tell us the real history of people like Magellan, Christopher Columbus, or even the Founding Fathers. I don’t know about you, but I would love to see William Knifeman interact with George Washington

Okay, I admit, this is my favorite #4 – A virtual slice of Cheese

… because, as a super proud Native nerd, I have always loved Cheese; look, he even has the same glasses as me. The character Cheese is beautifully played by Lane Factor. But you know what, you know who Cheese is? Well, in addition to being the character inspired by Sterlin Harjo’s own life, to me, he is the Thomas (played by Evan Adams in Smoke Signals) of 2023. But in this show, we enter the world of adventures Cheese gets into in his own virtual world of video games, killing zombies, casting spells with wizards, battling demons with Conan, defeating mummies and genies in Dungeons and Dragons and more. Indian Country loves you, Cheese. And when I meet you, buddy, you better believe I am going to ask if I can give you a hug!

#5 Cue the UFO sound effects, The Maximus Files

Do you remember the X-Files? Well, in this Rez Dogs spin-off, Maximus – the 1970s version – gets abducted by a UFO and along with his alien co-pilots / aka star people, Maximus embarks on a journey to explore all of our world’s mysteries, such as Bigfoot, we all know he’s real, and of course things like the loch ness monster, chupacabras, or anything Sterlin’s wild brain can think of.  

In honor of those tough gals out there, #6 Rez Girls: Backward Hats and Shorts

Who doesn’t want a series featuring the awesome Willie Jack, portrayed by Paulina Alexis? Willie Jack made the backward ball cap look famous to TV viewers, and episodes can include the adventures and antics of Willie Jack’s quest to be a provider of traditional medicine and much more. 

For some serious soap opera auntie, uncle and grandma or mama drama here’s #7 Aunties and Elders: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Nothing affects me more to the core than Aunties and Elders – if I jump into the air and an Auntie of mine or an elder were to yell stop, I’d literally freeze in the air. Believe me, folks, we are talking about the best Rez soap opera you have ever seen. Bring in the Podemski sisters as the aunties, Wes Studi as Bucky, Graham Greene as Maximus and Gary Farmer as Uncle Brownie. Tantoo Cardinal could be in it as a friend to Irene in the above image. And they are all giving advice to Bear to carry forward to the new generation? Oh man, epic — I thought of a spin-off called Uncle Brownie, but I admit I love all the elders and Aunties, so they all have to be together in my view, the drama could just be too epic.

Let’s follow the academic life with # 8 College Life: Delora and Dad

I definitely want to see what happens with Elora, played by Devery Jacobs, after she leaves the Rez and goes to college. In an episode I visualize, she helps create the school’s first Native American student union, attends a protest and gets arrested. Of course, she has to call her dad, who was played by Ethan Hawke, to help. There is so much potential here. What subjects does she take? Can you imagine Devery Jacobs in a college class teaching Native American studies? Let’s put it this way: it would be therapeutic for me.

Let’s delve into a world bravely addressed by Sterlin, #9 LGBT REZ (And QIA2S)

Another of my favorite moments in Reservation Dogs involves the student advisor Delora runs into when she is trying to get into college. The advisor, played by Bronnson Harjo, is hilarious! He also talks about how the Chippendale dancer’s picture on his desk inspires him. It is fantastic. So in LGBT REZ (and QIA2S), the show can explore the world of gender, sexual orientation and how the concept of who you love is many times much more embraced as identity in Indian Country. Not only that, it could seriously be hilarious considering the performance of Bronnson Harjo. I laughed my head off in that episode. 

Of course, any actors in the LGBTQIA2S community could be in the show to make for an amazingly diverse cast.

And this series could get really real # 10 Locked Up

Lily Gladstone, who is the female lead in Killers of the Flower Moon, portraying Mollie Burkhart, portrayed Willie Jack’s auntie, who was incarcerated. All I can say is more, please! What happened? Why is she there from her story perspective? What does she experience while she is incarcerated? There are so many possibilities in this possible spin-off; I already want to see it just talking about it.

For further Native baby poppa and momma drama #11 Snaggin and Tipi Creepin: Rez Love Stories

We all know, this show stopped before we got to see what happened between Bear and Jackie. Will they get super serious? Are there kids in their future? What about dancing at a pow wow? Could they be the next lead dancers? How could you leave us hanging, Sterlin? Of course, we could also dive into other romances … you know who I’m talking about Bev and Big! That is what we all want to see! Am I right?

Since I am dreaming here, let’s take this to a new level. I created all of these ideas on my own, and since there is no such thing as the limits of imagination, let’s really dream, I mean, really dream.

It’s an amazing way to bring two worlds and, yes, even two networks, and why couldn’t you guys do it? Here is my final super dream show; are you ready?

My Bonus Dream Show is this: 

Cuzzins: Reagan meets Bev

When I thought of this, I literally gasped. Here’s the scenario: both Bev and Reagan (from Rutherford Falls, a show that is also streaming on Hulu) go to the latest Native tribes in business conference in New York, and yes, they meet up! Reagan meets Bev, Bev meets Reagan, and discover they are long-lost identical cuzzins! The entire cast of Reservation Dogs and Rutherford Falls travel back and forth, get into each other’s business, Michael Greyeyes as Terri meets Bev, Ed Helms’ character Nathan Rutherford meets Bev and on and on and on! Oh my gosh, can you imagine? It would be epic.

Okay, wow, there are so many possibilities my head is reeling! So tell me your favorite, or tell me the spin-off show you would love to see! If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe and give a thumbs up. Also, you can visit NativeViewpoint.com if you’d like to read the text of this video.

I want to say thank you to FX for using the images, and of course, All seasons of FX’s Reservation Dogs are available to stream on Hulu.

Nia:wen, this is Vincent Schilling, the Native Guy in the Vest and Tie. Thanks for watching! There’s more great stuff coming. Ona friends and neighbors!