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American Primeval , a new limited series on Netflix takes viewers back to the American West of 1857 where many individuals try to navigate a harsh new reality in the face of many types of conflict. The series has sparked interest because of the unique characters it has.
The show includes fictional and non fictional characters which blend together to create a multilayered portrayal of historical struggles. The cast bring great presence to the characters which provide a balance to an often chaotic setting.
The lead roles include Betty Gilpin as Sara Rowell, Taylor Kitsch as Issac Reed, and Shea Whigham as Jim Bridger each are trying to survive in different circumstances. The story showcases individual struggles with loss, moral conflict, family and all unique elements of the Wild West.
The series highlights both Jim Bridger and Brigham Young as central real-life figures in this time period. These historical references add another dynamic of the show to show conflict from multiple sides with multiple views on religion, authority and how expansion happens across new boundaries.
As Sara she is running away with her son. They carry a secret in their back story that haunts her journey while also facing the issues on their way in an unfamiliar place. She will become someone resourceful throughout her growth.
Kitsch is an iconic face to fans as many recognize him from Friday Night Lights. He represents Isaac a tracker in the wilderness who becomes intertwined with Sara's life. His role showcases some internal struggles with finding love as someone who has previously endured great loss.
A notable personality known from “Sons of Anarchy”, he brings presence to the iconic figure, President of the Mormon Church of the time with a strong determination in his motives and will do whatever it takes to secure his peoples safety and future. He uses the Mormon army known as the Nauvoo Legion for his advantage.
A former mountain man and the owner of Fort Bridger he becomes the observer of unfolding events within the show. He provides a perspective into the times. As a character he made a shrewd business move to leave at the right time showing a clear grasp of current issues of the day.
He takes on the role of the viscous trapper/ bounty hunter who brings more conflict in to a challenging narrative and makes it complicated for any characters crossing his path. He is known for a ruthless side which was put on full display for his role in "American Primeval”.
As a central figure she is portrayed as a Mormon woman caught between two different cultures showing strength and a level of resilience after she is pulled from her original circumstances.
As the son to Sara, this sensitive character with his curious personality also is a reflection of what so many have gone through as their lives are changed without their influence while on a journey.
"American Primeval" uses the Mountain Meadows Massacre as its inciting moment of the story along with the historical backdrop of the Utah War. This setup creates a storyline around tension, survival and human cruelty, while using different cultures to play into complex viewpoints.
Some characters and storylines have drawn direct influence from facts. Meanwhile others are fictional but add elements to highlight challenges of that time for various cultures and groups that tried to exist at that time.
A central theme to the story line is shown to be what choices humans are willing to make when they are dealing with issues of survival. Also highlighted throughout is also how territorial boundaries and violent reactions shaped the West during this time period. It challenges some of the most simple ideas of moral choices with what lengths the characters will go to to exist in a world that forces them to consider extremes.
Filming of the series had challenges because some of the outdoor sets used relied more heavily on manual labor to build which required crews to put together the designs manually without help of most modern tools. This adds to a realistic setting and highlights the limitations that were presented within that specific timeline. It is an element that many productions would not have needed to face but is a reminder of that time that helped elevate that part of the series.
Fort Bridger a real location for that era, was featured in the story as a location where both groups could cross paths for trading purposes, or also have a stand off depending on their position. The Fort also was an integral point for both US army and Mormons when it came to fighting with one another to make the area one where they held the power. The building was eventually burned down due to choices made by its owner Jim Bridger who sold it to Brigham Young in an effort to cut his losses and seek greener pastures.