Is American Primeval a true story? Explained

American Primeval is a Western drama series released on Netflix on January 9, 2025. It is directed by Peter Berg, with Mark L. Smith as the show's writer and creator. The series is produced by Tim King and Robin Le Chanu and executive produced by Alexander H. Gayner and Eric Newman along with Berg and Smith.

The series follows Sara Rowell, making a treacherous journey to Crooks Springs with her son Devin. She is joined by Isaac Reed and finds herself in the middle of the conflict between the US Army, the Mormon community, and the Native American tribes. Set in 1857 in the Utah territory, American Primeval is a fictional story based on real historical events of the American West.

The show's official logline, as per Netflix, reads:

"A mother and son fleeing from their past form a found family while confronting a harsh landscape of freedom and cruelty in the American West."

How much of American Primeval is based on true events?

Preston Mota and Betty Gilpin as seen in the Netflix series American Primeval (Image via Tudum by Netflix)

On January 9, 2025, the executive producer, Eric Newman, revealed to Tudum by Netflix that the Mountain Meadows Massacre depicted in the show's first episode was a real event that happened in September 1857. The Mormon militia group, Nauvoo Legion, disguised themselves as Native Americans and attacked a group of pioneers heading further west. The bloody attack reportedly claimed the lives of 120 pioneers. He said further:

"We chose that because there was this intersection between a few different Native nations, the US government, the Mormons, and the American citizens who felt they had the right to move through this area. The Mountain Meadows Massacre did happen … and it became, for our narrative purposes, an inciting incident of conflict for our cast of characters."

In the same article, Newman also mentioned that the character James Wolsey was based on a real person who "was actually executed for his role in the Meadows Massacre." Peter Berg also shared that Winter Bird, the Shoshone tribal chief, was inspired by a real tribal chief who "was purported to be a lesbian with multiple wives."

Moreover, some characters of American Primeval, like Jim Bridger, Brigham Young, and Wild Bill Hickman, are based on real people.

Additionally, the Fort Bridger seen in the series was a real location, a trading post used by the pioneers and Mormons in the 1850s. As depicted in episode 6, its founder, Jim Bridger, sold the fort to Brigham Young before it was burned down during the Utah War.

Also Read: Where was American Primeval filmed? All filming locations explored

Plot summary

American Primeval tells the story of Sara Rowell and her son Devin as they endeavor to reach Crooks Springs, where her husband awaits them. Isaac Reed, an expert tracker mourning the death of his wife and child, agrees to help Sara travel through the contentious frontier while keeping her safe. Along the way, the trio meets the Shoshone runaway Two Moons, who accompanies them on their journey.

Sara is wanted for the murder of Luther Hitchens of Philadelphia, and his wealthy family has placed a bounty on her head. Thus, Sara and Isaac have to fend off attacks from the bounty hunters and the Mormon militia group, Nauvoo Legion.

As they cross the frontier, Sara and Devin meet the newly married Mormon couple, Jacob and Abish Pratt. Not long after, they come close to losing their lives in the brutal Mountain Meadows massacre.

However, the Pratts are not as fortunate as Jacob's head is sliced open during the attack. He survives and goes in search of his wife, who is captured and ends up with the Native American Shoshone tribe. Contrary to her beliefs, Abish discovers that the Native American tribes are a peace-loving community.

In the end, Jacob teams up with the militia group and attacks the Native Americans. He unwittingly shoots at a young bride, only to discover too late that it is his wife Abish. Distraught, he kills himself too.

In the series finale episode, Isaac and the others reach within half a mile of Crooks Springs. However, the bounty hunter Lucas captures Sara and is killed by Isaac, before succumbing to his death. Heartbroken, Sara decides to abandon her journey and return to California with Devin, realizing that she is capable of protecting herself and Devin without her husband.

Cast and characters

Shea Whigham and Nick Hargrove (right) as seen in American Primeval (Image via Tudum by Netflix)

The cast list of American Primeval is as follows:

Taylor Kitsch as Isaac Reed
Betty Gilpin as Sara Rowell
Dane DeHaan as Jacob Pratt
Saura Lightfoot-Leon as Abish
Derek Hinkey as Red Feather
Joe Tippett as James Wolsey
Jai Courtney as Virgil Cutter
Preston Mota as Devin Rowell
Shawnee Pourier as Two Moons
Shea Whigham as Jim Bridger
Kyle Davis as Tilly
Tokala Black Elk as Buffalo Run
Nick Hargrove as Cottrell
Alex Fine as Gant
Andrew P. Logan as Lucas
Lucas Neff as Army Captain
Irene Bedard as Winter Bird
Nanabah Grace as Kuttaambo'i
Alex Breaux as Wild Bill Hickman
Kip Weeks as Pepper
Jeremy Gauna as Tall Shadow
Mosiah Aaron Crowfoot as Young Elk

Edited by Bharath S