By: Lani Hansen, Senior Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma– FX has handed a series order for the Native American Comedy Reservation Dogs, after a successful pilot showing.
According to Native American filmmaker and Muscogee (Creek) citizen Sterlin Harjo, Reservation Dogs is about four kids who live in rural Oklahoma. It is based on his and his co-producer Taika Waititi’s childhood.
“It’s about these kids getting into trouble and getting out of trouble,” Harjo added. “It’s really about the beauty of our world, the humor, lost, home and other things.”
The title “Reservation Dogs” relates to reservoir dogs. Harjo said it is more of a joke, because the kids in the show do not live on a reservoir since the court ruling of the McGirt case they are now living on a reservation. The four kids in the show name their small group “Reservation Dogs,” because of where they live according to Harjo.
Just like the pilot episode, the filming for the rest of the show will be shot in Okmulgee. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Devery Jacobs, Paulina Alexis and Lane Factor star as the four teens in the pilot show and will play them in the regular series. The pilot episode featured some guest stars like Zahn McClarnon, Kirk Fox, Lil Mike and Funny Bone and others according to IndieWire.
“We haven’t shot the whole series yet, but we have some exciting new young actors,” Harjo added.
When “Reservation Dogs” was picked up by FX it was no surprise for Harjo. He had been in contact with the production since working on this show, so when they shot the pilot episode he was excited when FX eventually wanted this to go into series.
“I had been waiting on that information for a while, because I’ve been working on that series for a long time,” Harjo said. “It wasn’t a shock, because I knew I was going to find out soon if it was going to go to series or not. I was obviously excited because it’s a cool story and I wanted to tell it.”
Harjo is planning to begin filming the rest of the show around March or April, depending on the COVID situation. They will be looking to cast extras again, when it gets closer Harjo said they will make an announcement.
Harjo added, “I’m excited, working in Okmulgee was amazing. People were nice and everyone loved it there. Okmulgee is a beautiful town, it had so many cool locations and I’m excited to go back.”
That is great to hear congratulations
Yes! Mvto Sterling Harjo, a fellow Muscogee Creek, and someone who can draw upon his culture and heritage, to tell these stories. Welcome to the capitol and reservation of the Muscogee Nation! It’s time for natives in charge of their narrative to tell our stories from our perspective! Here mahe (all is well)