- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Famed filmmaker Taika Waititi (“What We Do In the Shadows,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Thor: Ragnarok”) has teamed up with Indigenous writer and director Sterlin Harjo (Seminole, Muscogee) for the creation of a comedy series titled “Reservation Dogs.”
The series will follow four Native American teens in rural Oklahoma as they commit and fight crime together, and will star D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (“Creeped Out”) as Bear, Devery Jacobs (“American Gods”) as Elora Danan, Paulina Alexis (“Beans”) as Willie Jack, and Lane Factor as Cheese.
The pilot episode will feature guest appearances by Tamara Podemski (“Coroner”), Zahn McClarnon (“Fargo”), Kirk Fox (“Briarpatch”), Matty Cardarople (“A Series of Unfortunate Events”), Macon Blair, Dallas Goldtooth, Lil Mike and Funny Bone.
Like the rest of Harjo’s work, the show was shot in Oklahoma. The pilot was co-written by Harjo and Waititi. Harjo also directed the first episode. The pair will work as executive producers on “Reservation Dogs,” and they will be joined by Garrett Basch, who is a producer from another show made by Waititi, “What We Do in the Shadows,” which also airs on FX.
The series is informed by Harjo’s own experience as a Native person from Oklahoma.
Harjo is celebrated in Native film circles –– a number of his films have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, including his first feature film, “Four Sheets to the Wind,” which was nominated for the grand jury prize in 2007. He was also named best director at the American Indian Film Festival that year. His second film, “Barking Water,” premiered at Sundance in 2009, and was named best drama film at the American Indian Film Festival. His third feature, “Mekko,” premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2015. He also made a documentary, titled “This May Be the Last Time,” which premiered at Sundance in 2014.
Waititi is from New Zealand and is of Māori and Jewish descent.
It is currently unknown when the show will air, but it is already being praised for bringing Indigenous stories and much-needed diversity to American television.
More Stories Like This
Rob Reiner's Final Work as Producer Appears to Address MMIP CrisisVision Maker Media Honors MacDonald Siblings With 2025 Frank Blythe Award
First Tribally Owned Gallery in Tulsa Debuts ‘Mvskokvlke: Road of Strength’
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and Partners at Ho’n A:wan Productions Launch 8th Annual Delapna:we Project
Chickasaw Holiday Art Market Returns to Sulphur on Dec. 6
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
