From experienced director Peter Berg, the six-part limited seriesAmerican Primevalfocuses on the intertwined lives of a diverse group of people in Utah during 1857. Throughout the series, it follows Mormons, military men, mercenaries, and Native Americans locked in a struggle to survive amidst violence, treachery, and harsh conditions. TheNetflixminiseries is a gritty depiction of life shortly before the American Civil War.
Game Rant recently caught up withAmerican Primeval star Kim Coateswho portrays real-life Mormon leader Brigham Young. During the conversation, Coates spoke of life in 1850s Utah and the challenges faced by those who settled there. Coates believes that the show is a realistic depiction of life in that period, noting that it’s an entertaining way to learn about this piece of history.
American Primeval Portrays the Reality of Life in 1850s America
No one is safe inAmerican Primeval. Whether dealing with awful weather conditions, getting caught in the crossfire of rival groups warring over land, or encountering wild animals, getting through the day is a herculean feat. It was a particularly tough time to be alive, with simple things like food and shelter far from guaranteed. Coates himself was in awe of how people managed to survive back then, remarking:
‘‘How did anyone survive in 1850s America? I don’t know, because it was such a melting pot. You had the Mormons, the white men, the Native Americans, the Chinese, just to name a few! I mean, honestly, how were people meant to survive? Where should they go for their piece of land? What’s going to happen? How do they go to sleep at night? How anyone survived back then in 1857 in America is beyond me. The show does a great job of showcasing this as well.’’
American Primeval Serves as a History Lesson
History fans will be pleased to know that the show takes its setting very seriously, taking pains to ensure it delivers an accurate representation of life in 1857. While plenty of books explore life during this time,American Primevalis an informative period dramathat visualizes those struggles viscerally. Coates spoke toAmerican Primeval’s educational potential:
‘‘What people are about to see, of course, there are some dramatizations. There are a few things that we’re not really sure of because we weren’t actually alive then. But 99% of it was brought from books, from journals, and then Peter Berg and Mark Smith wrote this incredible story that I want people to watch and go, ‘Holy crap! This really happened.’ The Mormon religion was really like that back then. The white guys and the Native Americans were fighting for land, just to survive. This is just before the Civil War. We haven’t even touched on the Civil War in this show. It’s about to start three years after what unfolds inAmerican Primeval. So it’s a fantastic way to learn about history.’’
Director Peter Berg’s use of specialist consultants on set to ensure historical accuracy lends credence to the cast and crew’s devotion to the source material. To ensure accuracy, the team brought on Indigenous consultant Julie O’Keefe known for2023’sKillers of the Flower Moonamong other projects. Fans of Westerns and period pieces will want to catchAmerican Primevalon Netflix when it airs on January 9.
