Introduction to Reservation Dogs
Reservation Dogs is a comedy-drama series created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi that premiered on FX on Hulu in August 2021. The show follows four Indigenous teenagers – Bear (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Elora (Devery Jacobs), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis), and Cheese (Lane Factor) – living in rural Oklahoma. After the death of their friend Daniel, the teens steal, rob and save money in hopes of traveling to the exotic, mysterious and faraway land of California. However, their efforts are constantly thwarted by other factions, including a rival gang led by Jackie (Elva Guerra).
The series provides an authentic and nuanced look at contemporary Indigenous lives and issues through its predominantly Native writers room and cast. Reservation Dogs subverts common stereotypes and introduces complex, fully-realized Indigenous characters to a mainstream audience. As the first TV show to feature an all-Indigenous writers room, Reservation Dogs has been praised for its realistic and honest portrayal of Indigenous communities in a way that resonates universally.
Where Reservation Dogs Streams
Reservation Dogs premiered in August 2021 exclusively on FX on Hulu. The first two seasons of the show are currently available to stream on Hulu in the United States. Hulu offers a free trial so you can watch Reservation Dogs at no cost before deciding on a paid subscription.
Both season 1 and season 2 of Reservation Dogs, consisting of 8 episodes each, are available on Hulu. Hulu has the exclusive streaming rights to new episodes of Reservation Dogs in the US. Viewers looking to stream Reservation Dogs will need a Hulu subscription. Learn more at Hulu.
Reservation Dogs season 3 release date
Reservation Dogs season 3 is set to premiere on August 3, 2022 on FX on Hulu. The third and final season will have 10 episodes, which will be released weekly on Wednesdays.
The series was created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. Season 1 premiered in August 2021 and season 2 premiered in April 2022. FX announced in May 2022 that season 3 would be the final season of the show.
“Wecouldn’t be more proud of ‘Reservation Dogs,’ from our incredible cast and all of the guest stars over the seasons, to the writers, directors, crew and creators Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi for bringing this groundbreaking series to life,” said FX Entertainment president Nick Grad when announcing season 3.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the premiere of season 3, especially after the season 2 cliffhanger finale. Season 3 is expected to provide a satisfying conclusion for the characters and their journeys.
Overall, the highly anticipated final season of Reservation Dogs will premiere on August 3, 2022 on FX on Hulu, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday.
Where to watch Reservation Dogs season 3
Reservation Dogs season 3 will premiere exclusively on Hulu on August 3, 2022 in the United States. Hulu has been the streaming home of Reservation Dogs since the show first premiered in 2021. According to Hulu’s website, new episodes of season 3 will be released weekly on Wednesdays.
Currently, no other streaming platforms have announced plans to stream Reservation Dogs season 3. The previous two seasons are also only available to watch on Hulu. So Hulu remains the only place to watch Reservation Dogs season 3 when it premieres.
Hulu offers different subscription plans depending on your needs. The basic ad-supported plan starts at $7.99 per month while the ad-free plan is $14.99 per month. You can also bundle Hulu along with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $13.99 per month.
So if you want to watch the new episodes of Reservation Dogs season 3, you will need an active Hulu subscription. Sign up for Hulu to be ready when season 3 premieres on August 3.
Other ways to watch Reservation Dogs
While the easiest way to watch Reservation Dogs is by streaming it online through one of the major platforms, there are some other options for viewing the show if streaming is not available to you.
One option is to purchase digital copies of each episode or full seasons of Reservation Dogs through online stores like Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, or Google Play. Generally each episode costs around $2-3 or you can buy a whole season for $15-25. By purchasing digital copies, you can download the episodes to your device and watch them offline whenever is convenient for you.
For collectors who prefer physical media, you can also purchase Reservation Dogs on DVD and Blu-Ray. Season 1 is available now on DVD with season 2 expected to release on DVD later this year after it finishes airing. The DVD or Blu-Ray sets will include bonus behind-the-scenes features and other extras for fans to enjoy. This is a great way to guarantee you always have access to the show for repeat viewings.
While streaming may be the most popular and convenient way to watch, buying digital downloads or physical discs is an option if you want to permanently own copies of Reservation Dogs to watch whenever you choose.
About the creators
Reservation Dogs is co-created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. Harjo is a Seminole and Muscogee Native American filmmaker from Holdenville, Oklahoma [1]. He previously created the shows Mekko and Four Sheets to the Wind. Waititi is a New Zealand filmmaker known for writing and directing films such as Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, and What We Do in the Shadows. Harjo and Waititi teamed up to create Reservation Dogs after wanting to showcase stories about contemporary Indigenous youth.
As Native American creators telling stories about their own communities, Harjo and Waititi are pioneering increased Native representation in Hollywood and bringing nuanced Indigenous perspectives to mainstream audiences [2]. Their collaboration on Reservation Dogs blends Harjo’s background and experiences growing up Indigenous in Oklahoma with Waititi’s trademark humor and heart.
Cast and characters
The main cast of Reservation Dogs includes:
- Devery Jacobs as Elora Danan Postoak – Elora is the show’s protagonist and de facto leader of the friend group. She’s determined to fulfill her late father’s dream of reaching California.
- D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Bear Smallhill – Bear is the laidback jokester of the group who often serves as Elora’s right-hand man. He has a troubled home life and strained relationship with his father.
- Paulina Alexis as Willie Jack – Willie Jack is the fiery, outspoken tomboy of the group. She comes from a troubled home life and often clashes with authority figures.
- Lane Factor as Cheese – Cheese is the eccentric oddball of the four friends. He provides comic relief but also harbors his own pains from a difficult upbringing.
Other notable cast members include:
- Zahn McClarnon as Bear’s father and local gang leader Big
- Sarah Podemski as Bear’s mother Rita
- Gary Farmer as Elora’s uncle Brownie
The young indigenous cast brings humor, heart and authenticity to their portrayals of modern Native American youth navigating life on the rez. Their performances earned strong praise from critics.
Critical response
Reservation Dogs has received widespread critical acclaim for its fresh perspective and authentic representation of Indigenous youth and culture. According to Colorwebmag, “Reservation Dogs flips the script on stereotypical depictions of Indigenous people,” portraying its characters as “fully-realized individuals with hopes, dreams and complex inner lives.”
Reviewers have praised the show’s ability to tackle serious issues with humor and heart. As noted in this IGN review, “Reservation Dogs finds the humor, even in heavy situations.” The young cast’s performances have also earned acclaim, described by IndieWire as “remarkable” and “mature beyond their years.”
In its debut season, Reservation Dogs won a Peabody Award honoring storytelling that advances social change. The show has also earned nominations from the Critics Choice Television Awards, Hollywood Critics Association, and MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Themes and Cultural Significance
Reservation Dogs focuses on Indigenous experiences and themes often overlooked in mainstream media, providing groundbreaking representation of Indigenous communities. As Skye Howell discusses in a recent LinkedIn post, the show explores “intergenerational trauma, substance abuse, suicide, poverty, Indigenous spirituality and connection to traditional lands” (Skye Howell). By centering these issues from an Indigenous perspective, Reservation Dogs gives visibility to communities that have historically been marginalized and misrepresented in film and television.
As Evelyn Gutierrez argues in a report on the show, Reservation Dogs confronts the legacy of colonialism by showing both the hardship faced by Indigenous youth today as well as their resilience and hope for the future. Gutierrez states that the show’s focus on coming-of-age stories helps provide an authentic look at contemporary Indigenous lives (Evelyn Gutierrez). By spotlighting these complex identities and experiences, Reservation Dogs adds crucial representation for Indigenous peoples while challenging stereotypes.
What to expect in season 3
Reservation Dogs season 3 will be the final season of the show. Some plot and character details for the new season have been revealed by the creators and cast.
Co-creator Sterlin Harjo has said this season will focus on the four main characters’ journey to California after the traumatic events of last season. They will be on a “journey of healing and self-discovery.”
Actress Devery Jacobs, who plays one of the main four teens, said this season will explore more of her character’s indigenous spirituality and connection to her ancestry. There will also be a special episode focused on her character’s past.
The new season will continue to explore themes of indigenous identity and what it means to grow up as an indigenous youth in America today. It will also feature the return of many of the side characters who bring the world of the show to life.
The first two episodes of season 3 will premiere together. Specific plot details are still under wraps, but the creators have said to expect a satisfying and poignant conclusion to the story of this group of friends.
