FX’s comedy series Reservation Dogs has come to a close, with its final season having premiered on August 2 on Hulu, according to mxdwn. Creators Sterlin Harjo (Barking Water, Mekko) and Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows) set the show to follow the story of “four Indigenous teenagers from rural Oklahoma as they commit crimes to get to their dreamland, California,” as per mxdwn. As the series puts spotlight on underrepresented characters, Reservation Dogs is trailblazing, with its last season receiving an Emmy nomination in the Best Comedy category. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Beans, Only the Good Survive), who plays the unofficial teen leader Bear Smallhill, shared his thoughts surrounding his Emmy nomination and experience on Reservation Dogs via Deadline.
In an interview with Deadline, when asked if Woon-A-Tai discussed the Emmys with crew members and why the show was overlooked, he responded, “We’re one of only a few Native shows ever to accomplish what we have accomplished. So even if I wasn’t on the show, I would feel the same way… we were overlooked for both Season 1 and Season 2, which I felt like were amazing. The cast and crew put their hearts into it. It was something that people have never seen before. So yes, we had our little conversations about getting snubbed, but I’m happy the voters are recognizing how great the show was.”
Woon-A-Tai continued to share that the last day on set was filled with tears from everyone on set. When Deadline mentioned how walking away from an all-indigenous cast and crew would be sad, he said, “It really is. But one thing I do know is that if I ever get the chance and opportunity again to be a part of a cast that has a full Native writers’ room, a full Native directors’ room, and a full Native cast, it will turn out the exact same way. When you put a bunch of Native Americans in one room together and give them a camera and some dialogue, they will make the best show.”
Spoilers Ahead! When asked about Bear’s journey since the first season, Woon-A-Tai shared that “Bear felt trapped in this community, and he put all of that guilt onto the people. He didn’t realize that the community is what helps us and makes us heal. That was his arc, really…You can see it in the last few episodes. He accepted the fact that home was where he’s supposed to be. When we’re on reservations or in urban communities that are very poor, we feel like the grass is always greener on the other side. And then when you go there, you realize it was way better where we’re from, where your community is,” via Deadline.
To watch Woon-A-Tai’s performance, seasons one through three of Reservation Dogs are available to stream on Hulu and FX.