Acclaimed director and producer Peter Berg dives deep into the raw and untamed American frontier in his latest limited series, American Primeval, now streaming on Netflix. The series is a gritty exploration of the Utah War of 1857, blending historical authenticity with gripping drama and intense action.
The Inspiration Behind American Primeval
Berg was drawn to the mid-19th century setting in the American West, particularly Utah and southern Wyoming, as a backdrop for the story.
“I knew there was tension in the area with Brigham Young in Salt Lake City, and I thought that would be an interesting spot to drop an adventure story,” Berg explained in an interview with Gold Derby.
Together with Mark L. Smith, the series’ creator, writer, and producer, Berg undertook extensive research. They explored the violent and complex dynamics between the Mormon Church, Native American tribes, and the U.S. Army, eventually centering their narrative around the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
A Harsh Filming Experience in the Wild
Bringing American Primeval to life proved to be a monumental task. Filming took place over 130 days near Native American reservations outside Santa Fe, featuring a massive ensemble cast, hundreds of extras, and challenging natural conditions.
“We had horses, snakes, bulls, horrible weather, heat, cold. Capturing that scale was a major challenge,” Berg admitted.
Despite the chaos, Berg emphasized that emotional depth, not spectacle, is what holds the story together.
“Love and tenderness are the glue,” he said, referencing the emotional arcs of the show’s characters: Isaac Reed (Taylor Kitsch), Sara Holloway (Betty Gilpin), Devin Rowell (Preston Mota), and Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier) — all of whom form a dysfunctional family in the midst of violence.
A Visceral One-Shot Battle Sequence
A standout moment in Episode 1 is a breathtaking one-shot battle sequence that re-creates the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The scene features a chaotic mix of horses, guns, fire, and arrows, all meticulously choreographed.
“We wanted the audience to feel like they were inside the event, not just watching it,” Berg explained.
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The intense sequence was shot over three days and stitched together from six or seven segments, requiring seamless collaboration between camera teams, stunt crews, VFX, makeup, and actors.
“Everyone had to be at their best. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding,” he added.
Berg’s Return to Acting
Peter Berg also took on a small but significant role in the series, portraying Fancher, whose refusal to move his group sparks the massacre. Although his character dies early, Berg expressed a renewed passion for acting.
“I was kind of sad that I had to die. I had actually gotten reinvigorated by acting again.”
Despite encouragement from others to rewrite the scene, Berg insisted on preserving the story’s integrity.
Kitsch and Gilpin’s On-Screen Chemistry
Berg praised the natural chemistry between lead actors Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin, stating they “organically worked quite well together.” He also shared how he first pitched the series concept to Smith using an ice axe, symbolizing the brutal yet primal nature of the story.
As for the series title, American Primeval reflects the raw, foundational violence and human emotion at the heart of early American history.
