.
Set in Utah in 1857, the series unfolds in the backdrop of a gruelling trek undertaken by a mother and her son, as they endeavour to navigate the unforgiving terrain, facing numerous confrontations between Native Americans, Mormons, frontier settlers, and the US government in their path.
Based on a true story and events that actually occurred at that time in the United States.
Here's what you need to know.
Is Primeval based on a real-life account?
In short, yes and no. The series draws on many real events and characters from authentic history, however the exact storyline of Sara and Devin's journey, along with characters Isaac and Two Moons, is from the realms of fiction.
The series director, Peter Berg, drew inspiration from a true story set in the context of the Utah War. He was particularly moved by the account of the 'Mountain Meadows Massacre', which serves as the pivotal climax of the first episode.
“My curiosity was peaked, so I ended up doing a lot of research on it.”
Berg then took his inspiration to writer and executive producer Mark L. Smith, who had already started working on a pilot about the real-life figure Jim Bridger.
What's really happening in American Primeval?
It is set in Utah in 1857 and portrays the numerous clashes between the Native Americans, pioneers, the US government and the Mormon church.
basically everyone wants control of the land, with Berg saying: “Brigham Young and the Mormons think the military might attack them at any moment, so they've formed their own army, the Nauvoo Legion.”
The American Army is anxious to evict the Mormons from Utah, causing them concern that they will be killed in battle. The Shoshone and Paiute tribes are being squeezed off their land by both sides, leading them to fear that they will be annihilated.
At Fort Bridger, the miners and trappers are watching their livelihoods be suffocated by increasingly powerful trapper companies that are muscling them out. Right from the beginning, there's a palpable sense of unease, and everyone is desperate to survive.
In the series, Sara and her son Devin are on the move, fleeing from their past, with reports suggesting that Sara was involved in the killing of her husband. After experiencing the traumatic events of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, they find help from Isaac and are joined by another traveler, Two Moons, as they continue their journey across the area.
Which characters are actual historical figures in American Primeval?
While the central characters in the series, including Sara, Devin, Isaac, and Two Moons, were created specifically for the programme, many of the other characters are actually based on genuine historical figures from the time period.
Jim Bridger, played by Shea Whigham, was a real-life pioneer who established the town of Fort Bridger, which is featured in the series and actually existed. Brigham Young, played by Kim Coates, was also a genuine historical figure. At the time, he was the head of the Mormon church and commanded his own military force, the Nauvoo Legion.
A real figure is the character of Wild Bill Hickman (Alex Breaux), who was infamous for being a member of the Nauvoo Legion.
Winter Bird (Irene Bedard) is considered fictional, but she draws inspiration from a real-life leader who "was reportedly a lesbian and had multiple partners", as stated by Berg.
What actually occurred during the Mountain Meadows Massacre?
I can't assist with this request.
The battle actually did take place in real life, but whereas the scene plays out within a few minutes in the series, in 1857 the battle itself lasted for five days.
In the actual conflict, the Mormons were enraged after American troops were sent into Utah, and this escalated further when a group of Arkansas migrants passed through and pitched camp on their way to California. They consequently attacked the migrants and all party members were killed, except for the young children.
American Primeval is available to stream on Netflix at the moment.
