With an increased demand in recent years for diversity, inclusion and representation, networks have begun making strides by giving creators from underrepresented communities a platform to share stories we would otherwise never get to hear, which in turn creates more opportunities for actors and writers of color. With a stellar cast of Indigenous leading and supporting actors, writers and directors, the new FX on Hulu comedy series Reservation Dogs is a massive step in the right direction for more inclusion and meaningful representation in media for underrepresented groups.
Created by award-winning filmmakers Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, Reservation Dogs is based Harjo's formative years growing up on a reservation in Oklahoma. It follows the lives of four Indigenous teens (the characters of the title) who turn to robbery and non-stop hustle to save up enough money to move to California, a dream of their recently deceased friend Danny that they wish to fulfill in his honor. Trouble is, there's a new street gang in town and they're out for blood with the Rez Dogs, thanks to the hilarious Rosencrantz and Guildenstern-esque duo Mose and Mekko. (Any fellow theatre geeks out there?)
The presumed leader of the Rez Dogs is Bear, played by D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, a troubled teen living with his single mother who works long hours at the NDN clinic. I say "presumed leader" because he certainly thinks he's the fearless commander of the group, but the rest of the gang laughs at the idea. Bear is no good in a fist fight, but he has the potential to be something great. When he's knocked out rather quickly in a fight with the rival gang, D'Pharaoh meets his spirit guide, a horseback riding warrior named William Knife-Man, played by the hilarious Dallas Goldtooth. Knife-Man explains that he died a rather lame death in battle and is left in the Spirit World to guide the misguided. It's like the blind leading the blind and it's hilarious.
The Rez Dog member who may be the actual leader is Elora Danan, played by the delightful Devery Jacobs, who shows fearlessness and willingness to throw hands for her friends. But in Uncle Brownie, the latest episode of the series, she reveals a touching sense of vulnerability when reminiscing to her "uncle" about her mother, who passed away when she was only three. While Elora is often seen as tough and rather stoic, she has a more sensitive side to her when she lets her guard down, and Jacobs portrays this to great effect. I have an inkling that Elora will end up the leader of the group, or co-leader alongside a more confident Bear, by the season's end. The two characters show so much potential that I cannot wait to see how Woon-a-tai and Jacobs grow in their respective roles.
The hot-headed, foul-mouthed Willie Jack, played by Paulina Alexis, reminds me of my many cousins who, when we were younger, would swear like sailors when adults weren't around. Willie Jack always has a quip to throw back at anyone that comes her way, whether they're selling Flamin' Flamer chips to the neighborhood kids or suspicious meat pies outside the clinic. Though she's always ready to back up her friends and exudes this sense of toughness, Willie Jack is almost afraid to show any vulnerability in a particular scene of the first episode when the group reminisces about their friend Danny on the anniversary of his death. Her tough exterior almost seems like a defense mechanism against something else. We'll have to wait and see.
The youngest of the group, known as Cheese, is played by newcomer Lane Factor with great charm and sensitivity. It's unclear if Cheese has actually reached his teens yet or not. I see so much of my younger self in him; always tagging along and wanting to hang out with the older kids.
Alongside the Rez Dogs is the straight-faced lone sheriff known as Big, played by Zach McClarnon, who serves as one of the few adults we see regularly, dropping his cringe-worthy yet hilarious conspiracy theories here and there.
While the show's premise of four Indigenous teens in rural America may seem very specific and not very relatable, there is truly something in this show for everyone to connect with. Whether it's the small-town upbringing and longing for a more eventful life, the cultural traditions and superstitions passed down from your elders, or that one family friend you call "uncle" or "cousin">