American Primeval takes place within the years of the Utah War, and here is everything you need to know about the real-life war behind the Netflix Western miniseries, explained. Although there have been all kinds of movies and TV shows about the various wars that the United States has been involved in throughout its history, the Utah War is one of the lesser-known ones. However, American Primeval has decided to shine some light on the series of domestic conflicts, with it using the war between Mormons and the U.S. government as the backdrop for its Western story.
American Primeval is one of the most exciting Netflix shows of 2025, with the series coming from director Peter Berg and The Revenant writer Mark L. Smith. The series follows Sara Rowell and her son as they attempt to trek across the frontier in order to find Sara’s husband, with them trying to find a guide who will take them. Throughout their journey, Sara and her party run into all kinds of incredible violence and hardships, with American Primeval‘s dark and gritty world showing how dangerous the frontier and the Utah War actually were.
Who Fought In The Utah War & Why
From May 1857 To July 1858
The Utah War, also known as the Mormon Rebellion, took place from May 1857 to July 1858, with it being caused by rising tensions between Mormon settlers in the Utah Territory and the United States federal government. The conflict was caused when, in an attempt to get rid of Mormon influence over the Utah Territory, President James Buchanan appointed a new governor (via The Archive). Without informing Governor Brigham Young, Buchanan sent 2,500 troops to the Utah Territory in an attempt to protect the new governor.
Related
Following the end of Yellowstone in 2024, Netflix has the perfect replacement show for those unhappy with Taylor Sheridan’s franchise coming in 2025.
Throughout the past few decades, the Mormons had faced a lot of persecution, and they expected more. The sight of 2,500 troops arriving in the Utah Territory spooked the Mormons, with Young telling his followers to prepare for war. The Mormons began fortifying their state, with them being instructed to hinder the army without engaging them in direct conflict. The Mormons were told to set fire to their trains, create blockades, burn places where they could stay, and more. Although there were no true battles, the Utah War did eventually result in the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Who Won The Utah War & What It Meant
The United States Regained Control Of The Territory
Despite the Mormons and other settlers in the Utah Territory attempting to put up a fight, they never stood a chance against the federal government. In the end, the United States agreed to fully pardon the members of the Mormon Church for any acts of rebellion committed during the Utah War, with the exception of those who carried out the Mountain Meadows Massacre (an event that is seen in episode one of American Primeval).
The negotiations between the United States and the Utah Territory led to the federal government regaining control over the area, with them successfully carrying out almost everything that Buchanan originally intended to do. U.S. Army troops were allowed to enter the Utah Territory, and the governorship of the Utah Territory was transferred from Brigham Young to Alfred Cumming, who wasn’t a Mormon. This meant that not only was federal control re-established, but Buchanan was able to take away some Mormon control over the Utah Territory.
How Accurate Is American Primeval’s Utah War?
It Doesn’t Show Everything
American Primeval takes place in 1857, with it only showing the beginning of the Utah War. While the series doesn’t get into the background of the war, with it not fully explaining the events that led to the Mormons preparing to battle the federal government, what the Netflix miniseries does show is fairly accurate. Things like Brigham Young buying Fort Bridger just to burn it down fit right in with the Mormon strategy during the Utah War, showing a small fraction of what they were doing during the conflicts.
Related
25 Best Netflix Miniseries Ranked
Netflix has put out some tremendous miniseries in recent years from emotional dramas to trippy sci-fi shows to true stories and these are the best.
On top of that, American Primeval‘s dark scene that depicts the Mountain Meadows Massacre manages to accurately show the most violent event from the Utah War, with this being an inciting incident for the series. The massacre sets almost every main character on the path that they remain on for the rest of the show, with the real-life historical event being incredibly important to the series. So, while there is more that American Primeval could have covered, what it did cover is pretty accurate.
American Primeval is a Netflix limited series that follows the lives of several men and women in the middle of the expansion of the American West. Social dynamics clash as men and women battle for a piece of the new world against rivals and each other.
- Release Date
-
January 9, 2025
- Network
-
Netflix
- Cast
-
Taylor Kitsch
, Jai Courtney
, Dane DeHaan
, Betty Gilpin
, Nick Hargrove
, Kyle Bradley Davis
, Derek Hinkey
, Saura Lightfoot Leon
, Preston Mota
, Shawnee Pourier
, Joe Tippett - Character(s)
-
Isaac
, Sara Rowell
, Gant
, Buffalo Run
, Jacob Pratt
, Abish Pratt
, Red Feather
, James Wolsey
, Virgil Cutter
, Two Moons
, Jim Bridger - Creator(s)
-
Peter Berg
, Eric Newman
, Mark L. Smith - Producers
-
Eric Newman
, Mark L. Smith - Seasons
-
1
- Writers
-
Peter Berg
, Eric Newman
, Mark L. Smith - Directors
-
Peter Berg
