Reservation Dogs Season 3 - What We Know So Far
When Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi set about creating "Reservation Dogs," they knew the series would be rooted in community, both in terms of storytelling and in the production of the show itself. "The Native art community is close, and I know how talented they all are," Harjo told GQ. "The show has been a vehicle to bring that community together and give people opportunities." Indeed, "Reservation Dogs" has an almost entirely Indigenous cast and crew, making the series feel groundbreaking on an elemental level. Critics have taken notice, too, and "Reservation Dogs" has earned a Peabody Award, two Independent Spirit Awards, and a Gotham Award, among other accolades (via IMDb).
Loosely inspired by Harjo's own upbringing in Oklahoma, "Reservation Dogs" premiered in 2021 and follows four Indigenous teenagers living in the Sooner State. Despite touching on heavy issues like incarceration and suicide, the show has a light touch and is frequently laugh-out-loud funny. It's no surprise, then, that "Reservation Dogs" has been renewed for a third season. Here's everything we know so far about the acclaimed series' upcoming third season.
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When will Reservation Dogs Season 3 be released?
As of this writing, there is no premiere date set for "Reservation Dogs" Season 3. That said, a 3rd season is definitely on the horizon, as confirmed by FX (via Deadline). Much like the Season 2 renewal announcement, which arrived in the middle of Season 1, fans didn't have to wait with bated breath to hear about the fate of "Reservation Dogs." Indeed, FX confirmed the 3rd season renewal on September 22, while Season 2 was still airing.
Season 1 hit Hulu on August 9, 2021, and Season 2 followed suit on August 3, 2022. If that pattern stands, "Reservation Dogs" should premiere sometime in late summer 2023. Per showrunner Sterlin Harjo, the "Reservation Dogs" writers have already begun brainstorming. "We've spent four days in the writers room. We work pretty fast. We have a lot of episodes loosely put on the board," he told GQ in an interview that was published in October.
What is the plot of Reservation Dogs Season 3?
For Sterlin Harjo and his writing team, some episodes of "Reservation Dogs" come together at the last minute, and some ideas get scrapped completely. "I really wish I had a plan," he told Vulture. "It's very instinctual." With that writing style in mind, Harjo hasn't revealed much in the way of plot lines for Season 3. Still, it helps knowing he has a hooked audience waiting in the wings. "People are invested," he added, "which gives us some leeway."
Season 2 certainly ended with enough unanswered questions to fuel a third season. The Rez Dogs finally make it to California, where Bear announces he's not going back to Oklahoma. With no car to speak of, it looks like Bear, Elora, Cheese, and Willie Jack are stuck on the West Coast for the foreseeable future, meaning at least some of Season 3 will take place in the Golden State. There are plenty of unexplored stories left to tell back in Oklahoma as well, such as the fate of Elora's new house, whether Jackie (Elva Guerra) will go back to the city, or if Uncle Brownie (Gary Farmer) will continue his spiritual journey with William Knifeman (Dallas Goldtooth).
Who will star in Reservation Dogs Season 3?
There have been no major casting announcements for "Reservation Dogs" Season 3, but the core foursome of Elora Danan (Devery Jacobs), Bear (D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Cheese (Lane Factor), and Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis) are expected to return. As Sterlin Harjo put it, "How do we keep expanding the storytelling, but also keep the show intact, and keep everything coming back to our four reservation dogs?" (via GQ).
Harjo has also hinted at other returning cast members, suggesting that the story will resume in Oklahoma, whether or not all four reservation dogs make the return trip from California. "I want to bring the Deer Lady (Kaniehtiio Horn) back," Harjo told Vulture. "I want that supernatural stuff to remain in the show." Harjo and Waititi also spent much of Season 2 expanding the scope of the community, giving entire episodes to the aunties and Big (Zahn McClarnon), and it's likely that those characters will return as well. Season 2 also included guest stars like Marc Maron and Megan Mullally, indicating that new minor characters could crop up as well.