POPSUGAR UK

Reservation Dogs Gets Celeb Cameos Right by Further Showcasing the Indigenous Community

18/08/2021 - 11:55 PM

FX on Hulu's Reservation Dogs [1] isn't just a refreshingly authentic take on Indigenous life, it's also an important step for representation. Not only is every main cast member on the Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi-created series Indigenous — including Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs's Elora Danan [2] and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai's Bear [3] — but every writer and director is as well. This representation also carries over into some of the most engageing (and hilarious) side characters, some of which are portrayed by comedians like Rutherford Falls's Jana Schmieding. Whether they are a mainstay in Indigenous cinema or have ties to the Native music scene, we've rounded up the biggest celebrity cameos from Reservation Dogs ahead.

Gary Farmer as Uncle Brownie

As Uncle Brownie, Farmer reconnects with his rural Oklahoma town thanks to Elora and the rest of the Rez Dogs. Best known for his roles in 1995's Dead Man, 1998's Smoke Signals, and 1999's Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Farmer is a mainstay in Indigenous cinema. More recently, he's had roles in 2013's Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian, Sundance's 2014 series The Red Road, and SYFY's 2021 series Resident Alien.

Jana Schmieding as an NDN Clinic Receptionist

We don't get to know much about the NDN clinic's receptionist, other than the fact that she doesn't want to purchase a meat pie and finds Bear annoying. However, Schmieding really makes the role her own. Outside of Reservation Dogs, Schmieding is the star and one of the writers on Peacock's Rutherford Falls.

Sarah Podemski as Bear's Mom, Rita

The talk of the town, Bear's mom, Rita, loves her son and wants what's best for him. Reservation Dogs isn't the first time that Podemski has worked with series creator Harjo. She appeared in his 2007 feature film debut Four Sheets to the Wind as Miri Smallhill, which earned her an Independent Spirit Award nod. Podemski has also appeared in the Indigenous-focussed Johnny Greyeyes, Dance Me Outside, and its spinoff series The Rez.

Zahn McClarnon as Officer Big

Officer Big is the thorn in the Rez Dogs' side, and he might have a crush on Bear's mom. It's interesting to see McClarnon in a more comedic role after seeing him as Police Chief Mathias on Longmire, Hanzee Dent on Fargo, and Akecheta on Westworld.

Lil Mike and Funny Bone as Mose and Mekko

Mose and Mekko are the reservation's version of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, popping up every now and again to give just a hint of comedic timing when needed. Brothers Lil Mike and Funny Bone make up the Native American rap duo Mike Bone [5] and appeared on America's Got Talent in 2013 [6].

Dallas Goldtooth as Spirit

Goldtooth's Spirit seems to appear just when Bear needs him least, even if his advice is somewhat helpful. Not only is Goldtooth a comedian and cofounder of the Indigenous comedy group The 1491s [7], but he also leads the Indigenous Environmental Network's Keep It in the Ground [8] campaign.

Bobby Wilson as Jumbo

Jumbo introduces Uncle Brownie to 21st century weed after nearly choking to death on the old man's stash. Much like Schmieding, Wilson is also a writer and star of Peacock's Rutherford Falls. He also has a connection to Goldtooth and Harjo as a founding member of The 1491s.


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https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/reservation-dogs-biggest-celebrity-cameos-48468430