Law of the Plainsman

Law of the Plainsman is a Western television series starring Michael Ansara that aired on the NBC television network from October 1, 1959, until May 5, 1960. The character of Native American U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart was introduced in two episodes of the popular ABC Western television series The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain.

Law of the Plainsman is distinctive and unique in that it was one of the few television programs that featured a Native American as the lead character, a bold move for U.S.network television at that time. Ansara had earlier appeared in the series Broken Arrow, having portrayed the Apache chief, Cochise. Ansara, however, was not Native American but of Syrian descent.

Ansara played Sam Buckhart, an Apache Indian who saved the life of a U.S. Cavalry officer after an Indian ambush. When the officer died, he left Sam money that was used for an education at private schools and Harvard University. After school, he returned to New Mexico where he became a Deputy Marshal working for Marshal Andy Morrison. He lived in a boarding house run by Martha Commager. The only other continuing character was 8-year old Tess Logan, an orphan who had been rescued by Buckhart. Robert Harland, later of Target: The Corruptors! starred in seven episodes as Deputy Billy Lordan. Wayne Rogers, who went on to star in another Four Star western, Stagecoach West, and later, M*A*S*H, also played deputy Lordan in several episodes.

Father Ted

Father Ted

1995

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey

2010

The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian

2019

Black Mirror

Black Mirror

2011

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

2005

The Peripheral

The Peripheral

2022

The Glory

The Glory

2022

Castle Rock

Castle Rock

2018

Station Eleven

Station Eleven

2021

Supacell

Supacell

2024

House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon

2022

Ms. Marvel

Ms. Marvel

2022

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

2008

The Witcher

The Witcher

2019

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders

2013

Unforgettable

Unforgettable

2011

Chernobyl

Chernobyl

2019

Halo

Halo

2022

Fate: The Winx Saga

Fate: The Winx Saga

2021

MINDHUNTER

MINDHUNTER

2017