Netflix’s ‘American Primeval’ Explores Violent Clash of Cultures in 1857 Utah

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Netflix‘s new limited series “American Primeval” delves into the brutal conflicts between Native tribes, Mormon settlers, pioneers, and the U.S. government in 1857 Utah. The show, now streaming, is a gritty dramatization of historical events, including the infamous Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Directed by Pete Berg and written by Mark L. Smith, the series stars Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, and Irene Bedard. Berg was inspired to create the show after reading about the Utah War and the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a violent episode in which Mormon militiamen and Paiute tribesmen attacked a wagon train of pioneers.

“I read an article on something called the Mountain Meadows Massacre,” Berg told Netflix. “It was something that interested me, and I started doing a lot of research on it.” Smith, known for his work on “The Revenant,” joined the project to bring authenticity to the story, which is set at Fort Bridger, a key trading post during the era.

The series portrays the tensions between the Mormon settlers, led by Brigham Young (Kim Coates), and the U.S. government, which sought to assert control over the Utah Territory. The Shoshone and Paiute tribes, caught in the middle, struggle to protect their lands from both sides. “There are no heroes or villains,” Berg explained. “Just people trying to survive.”

The show’s depiction of the Mountain Meadows Massacre is a harrowing centerpiece. In the first episode, Betty Gilpin’s character, Sara, and her son Devin (Preston Mota) flee as Mormon soldiers disguised as Native Americans attack their wagon train. The scene, which took four months to plan, features a six-minute continuous shot capturing the chaos and violence of the event.

“We wanted to present this event through the eyes of this woman,” Berg said. “It’s very violent, it’s very chaotic.” The massacre, which historically resulted in the deaths of over 120 pioneers, is portrayed with a focus on the human cost rather than graphic violence. “We didn’t want to glorify the violence,” Smith added. “We wanted to show the desperation and fear on all sides.”

To ensure historical accuracy, the production team consulted with experts, including Mormon historians, military advisors, and Indigenous cultural consultants. “We had to make all these things you see on-screen,” said executive producer Eric Newman. “Everything was entirely geared towards authenticity.”

The series also explores the lives of historical figures like Jim Bridger (Shea Whigham), a mountain man who built Fort Bridger, and Brigham Young, whose speeches in the show are drawn directly from historical texts. “A lot of his dialogue I took directly from real sermons,” Smith said.

Despite its grim subject matter, “American Primeval” aims to shed light on a lesser-known chapter of American history. “The West was a mess,” Berg said. “This is an exploration of that inherent ability to become very violent.”

All six episodes of “American Primeval” are now streaming on Netflix.