Netflix’s new Western series has become a global success. Producing original movies and TV shows since the early 2010s, the streaming service’s catalog of Western content now offers a diverse range of stories exploring the rugged charm of the American frontier.Longmirewas A&E’s highest-rated original drama before Netflix picked it up in 2014, starting with season four, and releasing the sixth and final season in 2017. Around that same time, theWestern miniseriesGodlesswas also released on Netflix to rave reviews.
The Coen brothers' Western anthology film,The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, was released on Netflix in 2018, presenting six separate tales that blend humor and tragedy and showcase the unpredictability of frontier life.The Harder They Fall, released on Netflix in 2021, is one of the few Westerns with a predominantly Black cast, showcasing a diverse narrative and fresh perspective within the genre. Now, Netflix’s new Western series, whichchronicles the violent origins of the American frontier, has arrived and is already making waves.
Netflix’s American Primeval Is A Global Success
It Ranks 2nd For This Week
American Primevalhas become a global success. Written by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant) and directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights), Netflix’s new Western series follows a mother and son who flee from their past and form a found family while also confronting the harsh reality of freedom and cruelty in the American frontier, including the violent conflict between the Mormon religion and cultureduring the Utah War in 1857.American Primeval’s castincludes Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Derek Hinkey, Joe Tippett, Jai Courtney, Preston Mota, Shawnee Pourier, and Shea Whigham.
Where Was American Primeval Filmed? All Locations Explained
American Primeval has all kinds of fantastic settings throughout its Western story, and here is what settings the show used to create the frontier.
Now, shortly after its release on January 9,Netflix’s new Western series has become a global success.American Primevalranks second on Netflix’s Global Top 10 showsfor this week behindMissing Youwith 10.4 million views and 52.4 million hours viewed. It finished aboveJerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action,Raw: 2025on January 6,Departureseason 1,Virgin Riverseason 6,Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy,Black Dovesseason 1,Departureseason 2, andThe Night Agentseason 1.
American Primevalis in the Top 10 in 68 countries around the world.
What American Primeval’s Netflix Success Means For The Show
Will There Be A Season 2?
American Primevalreviewsare mostly positive, praising Netflix’s new Western series for being beautifully filmed and relentlessly bleak, delivering a powerful message about the nation’s inherent brutality, though its impact ultimately feels numbing, earning a strong 62% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and an 88% audience score with 250+ ratings. This type of critical acclaim, combined with popularity among audiences, would typically result in a season 2 renewal from Netflix. However,American Primevalhas been billed as a limited seriesby the streaming service, so its story seems to be over after its sixth episode.
Making a second season might be a mistake due to the absence of the show’s standout lead.
However, during a recent interview, director and executive producer Peter Berg commented on the prospect ofAmerican Primevalseason 2, saying “You know, after we wrapped, and I looked at all the actors — the ones that were still alive — I felt such affection for them. And I do think there are many ways that we could go. I’ve still got to thaw out from my time spent up on those mountains in the winter, but maybe if they got to lower ground, that wasn’t quite as cold, we could. We could go back.” Overall,Berg is leaving the door open for a second season.
No. of episodes
6
Running time
36–63 minutes
62%
RT Audience Score
88%
Warning: the following paragraph contains a major spoiler forAmerican Primeval’s ending:However,making a second season might be a mistakedue to the absence of the show’s standout lead, Taylor Kitsch’s Isaac Reed, who died heroically during theAmerican Primevalending. Without Kitsch’s compelling performance and with Sara’s journey nearing its natural conclusion, the series could risk losing the interest of its audience. Although season 2 could continue chronicling the Utah War of 1857, the absence of beloved characters like Jacob (Dane DeHaan) and Abish Pratt (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) could further diminish the emotional resonance that captivated viewers in the first season.
Our Take On American Primeval’s Netflix Success
It’s Somewhat Surprising To See
It’s somewhat surprising to see thatAmerican Primeval, a bleak and brutal Western aboutthe Utah War of 1857, has been so popular on Netflix since, as seen in the Top 10, much more lighthearted fare likeVirgin Riveror thrillers such asDeparture,Black Doves, orThe Night Agenttypically reign supreme. Yet,American Primevalhas resonated with audiences worldwide, likely because of itsunflinching portrayal of history and human nature. The show’s willingness to delve into such a dark chapter of American history, without sugarcoating its brutality, offers something refreshingly authentic in a sea of lighter, escapist content.
The success ofAmerican Primevalspeaks to the impressive craftsmanship behind the scenes.
The success ofAmerican Primevalalso speaks to the impressive craftsmanship behind the scenes, particularly Mark L. Smith’s screenwriting and Peter Berg’s direction. Smith, known for co-writingThe Revenant, brings an atmospheric depth to the series that makes the harshness of the frontier feel more visceral. Berg, with his eye for historical accuracy, has helped elevate the series beyond typical Western fare. This meticulous care put into crafting the series has providedAmerican Primevalwith an authenticity that appeals to a wide audience, even in a market saturated with more mainstream shows.
American Primeval
Cast
American Primeval is a Netflix limited series that follows the lives of several men and women in the middle of the expansion of the American West. Social dynamics clash as men and women battle for a piece of the new world against rivals and each other.
