The director of the Netflix series "American Primeval", Peter Berg, revealed in a recent interview that the more they researched the plot, the more evident the violence in the story became. According to National Geographic, the series is based on the history of the first American Civil War, which took place in the 19th century and originated from the migration of Mormons to Utah in 1847 to escape persecution in other states.
In that context, the religious group of Mormons became involved in conflicts with other inhabitants, such as the incident with the Baker-Fancher caravan in 1857. This group of Mormons recruited Paiute natives to attack the caravan, resulting in the tragic massacre of more than 100 people. The Netflix series delves into these tragic and violent events that occurred in the 19th century in the territory of the "old west" of the United States.
The miniseries features a notable cast including actors like Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Joe Tippett, Dane DeHaan, and others. With only 6 episodes, each averaging one hour in length, it captivates viewers with its narrative about violence and survival in a complicated historical context. "American Primeval" has become one of the most popular series on Netflix in 2025.
Drawing inspiration from the true story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which occurred in 1857 in Utah, the series explores the conflicts between the military, Mormons, and indigenous communities in the "old west". The plot follows the story of a family embarking on a journey through the snowy mountains in search of reuniting with the father while facing the hardships and dangers of the time. Through this narrative, "American Primeval" reveals the depths of violence in the history of the United States.
