Western miniseries Godless was also released on Netflix to rave reviews.

The Coen brothers' Western anthology film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, was released on Netflix in 2018, presenting six separate tales that blend humor and tragedy and showcase the unpredictability of frontier life. The Harder They Fall, released on Netflix in 2021, is one of the few Westerns with a predominantly Black cast, showcasing a diverse narrative and fresh perspective within the genre. Now, Netflix's new Western series, which chronicles the violent origins of the American frontier, has arrived and is already making waves.

Netflix's American Primeval Is A Global Success

It Ranks 2nd For This Week

American Primeval has become a global success. Written by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant) and directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights), Netflix's new Western series follows a mother and son who flee from their past and form a found family while also confronting the harsh reality of freedom and cruelty in the American frontier, including the violent conflict between the Mormon religion and culture during the Utah War in 1857. American Primeval's cast includes Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Derek Hinkey, Joe Tippett, Jai Courtney, Preston Mota, Shawnee Pourier, and Shea Whigham.

Now, shortly after its release on January 9, Netflix's new Western series has become a global success. American Primeval ranks second on Netflix's Global Top 10 shows for this week behind Missing You with 10.4 million views and 52.4 million hours viewed. It finished above Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, Raw: 2025 on January 6, Departure season 1, Virgin River season 6, Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy, Black Doves season 1, Departure season 2, and The Night Agent season 1.

American Primeval is in the Top 10 in 68 countries around the world.

What American Primeval's Netflix Success Means For The Show

Will There Be A Season 2?

American Primeval reviews are mostly positive, praising Netflix's new Western series for being beautifully filmed and relentlessly bleak, delivering a powerful message about the nation's inherent brutality, though its impact ultimately feels numbing, earning a strong 62% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and an 88% audience score with 250+ ratings. This type of critical acclaim, combined with popularity among audiences, would typically result in a season 2 renewal from Netflix. However, American Primeval has been billed as a limited series by the streaming service, so its story seems to be over after its sixth episode.

Making a second season might be a mistake due to the absence of the show's standout lead.

However, during a recent interview, director and executive producer Peter Berg commented on the prospect of American Primeval season 2, saying "You know, after we wrapped, and I looked at all the actors — the ones that were still alive — I felt such affection for them. And I do think there are many ways that we could go. I’ve still got to thaw out from my time spent up on those mountains in the winter, but maybe if they got to lower ground, that wasn’t quite as cold, we could. We could go back." Overall, Berg is leaving the door open for a second season.

Warning: the following paragraph contains a major spoiler for American Primeval's ending:However, making a second season might be a mistake due to the absence of the show's standout lead, Taylor Kitsch's Isaac Reed, who died heroically during the American Primeval ending. Without Kitsch's compelling performance and with Sara's journey nearing its natural conclusion, the series could risk losing the interest of its audience. Although season 2 could continue chronicling the Utah War of 1857, the absence of beloved characters like Jacob (Dane DeHaan) and Abish Pratt (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) could further diminish the emotional resonance that captivated viewers in the first season.

Our Take On American Primeval's Netflix Success

It's Somewhat Surprising To See

It's somewhat surprising to see that American Primeval, a bleak and brutal Western about the Utah War of 1857, has been so popular on Netflix since, as seen in the Top 10, much more lighthearted fare like Virgin River or thrillers such as Departure, Black Doves, or The Night Agent typically reign supreme. Yet, American Primeval has resonated with audiences worldwide, likely because of its unflinching portrayal of history and human nature. The show's willingness to delve into such a dark chapter of American history, without sugarcoating its brutality, offers something refreshingly authentic in a sea of lighter, escapist content.

The success of American Primeval speaks to the impressive craftsmanship behind the scenes.

The success of American Primeval also speaks to the impressive craftsmanship behind the scenes, particularly Mark L. Smith's screenwriting and Peter Berg's direction. Smith, known for co-writing The Revenant, brings an atmospheric depth to the series that makes the harshness of the frontier feel more visceral. Berg, with his eye for historical accuracy, has helped elevate the series beyond typical Western fare. This meticulous care put into crafting the series has provided American Primeval with an authenticity that appeals to a wide audience, even in a market saturated with more mainstream shows.

Source: Netflix