Brian Tyree Henry Takes Us on a Wild Ride with ‘Bass x Machina’
Hold onto your hats, folks! Brian Tyree Henry is diving deep into the world of anime with his new series, Bass x Machina, and trust me, it’s a wild spaghetti Western steampunk adventure you won’t want to miss when it debuts on Netflix on Nov. 3!
Henry is as proud as a peacock to be a self-proclaimed geek. “When I took this show, I remember thinking, ‘I hope I get some Black nerd street cred,'” he chuckles. “I’m a total geek! I adore cosplay, Comic-Con, comics, animation, and anime. It’s my jam!” But as enthusiastic as he is, he notes that representation in these fandoms has been scarce.
“What I’ve noticed in some of these areas is that they don’t quite reflect our love for it. It often feels like we’re missing from the narrative,” Henry shares candidly. But with Bass x Machina, he feels like they’ve created something special. “It exists in this incredible world we’ve crafted, where everyone is grappling with what they’ve been denied. I hope viewers can root for characters that look like them.”
Meet ‘Bass Reeves’ – The Ultimate Steampunk Hero
Bass x Machina follows the extraordinary journey of Bass Reeves, the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshal, portrayed by Henry, navigating a perilous world in search of justice for his family. Describing it as a “crazy spaghetti Western, steampunk punk rock” tale, Henry can’t contain his excitement.
“I always tap into my inner nerd with every project I take on. It’s like, ‘How can I feed my geeky soul?’ and this project does just that!” he exclaims. After a three-year journey to bring Bass Reeves to life, Henry is thrilled about integrating fresh representation into anime heroes.
“I want Bass x Machina to create space for other Black nerds like me who might feel unseen,” he adds. “I aim for it to resonate with Black audiences and have global appeal. I want everyone to be hyped about something so refreshingly new!”
A Kaleidoscope of Genres and Themes
This series isn’t playing it safe, folks! With an explosion of genres jam-packed into each episode, there’s no shortage of thrills. “We’re going to make you feel things,” Henry promises. “We’ve crafted a badass, funky, and utterly unique way to tell the story of this real historical figure. And honestly, animation is the perfect canvas for it!”
When asked if a live-action version could ever happen, Henry admits, “Sure, but in animation, these characters can thrive, especially in today’s world. Animation, to me, is a form of protest that gets messages across to people who might not otherwise listen.”
Blood, Sweat, and (Lots of) Tears
Now let’s get to the nitty-gritty! When it comes to the graphic adventures of Bass, Henry shares a cheeky joke: “Each episode is like facing a final boss! Every story has its hero and villain, and let me tell you, this world is brimming with villains amid the post-Civil War chaos!”
And yes, there’s going to be blood—lots of it! “The overarching theme of Bass x Machina is blood: blood ties, bloodshed, and what it means to be part of something significant. There will be blood this season,” he emphasizes. The plot tackles heavy themes of oppression and segregation, reflecting the grim reality of post-Civil War America.
Groovy Tunes to Kick It Up a Notch
Henry isn’t just excited about the visuals; it’s the music that gets him raving too! He can’t help but gush over Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland collective for their contributions: “The music is one of my favorite parts. We’re mixing Native sounds, drums, and African instrumentation with a funky jazz and hip-hop vibe. It’s challenging the auditory norms of Westerns in an audacious way!”
“Don’t skip the theme song, or you’ll totally regret it! You’re going to want to hear it every episode!” he laughs.
As the premiere date approaches, Henry is beaming with pride over the series. “There’s so much potential for Bass Reeves’s stories moving forward. It’s just the beginning for our metal-armed lawman!”