Written by Mark L. Smith and directed by Peter Berg, American Primeval is a gritty TV mini-series that was released on January 9th, 2025 on Netflix. The six-episode series centers around the American West and the violent fights between the indigenous tribes, Mormon militia, and the colonial settlers who had just arrived. The series hit the ground running with fans and critics alike praising the show for its raw portrayal of the time period alongside the star-studded cast’s performances.
The cast of American Primeval
Taylor Kitsch as Isaac Reed
Born on April 8th, 1981, Taylor Kitsch is a Canadian actor who is well known for his role as Taylor Riggins on the NBC series Friday Night Lights. He has also acted in films such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Savages, John Carter, and several other films.
Betty Gilpin as Sara Rowell
Elizabeth Folan Gilpin, aka Betty Gilpin, is best known for her role as Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Glow and she earned three Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for her role. The actress is also known for her parts in Nurse Jackie, A Dog’s Journey, and several other TV shows and films including The Hunt, for which she won a Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Actress.
Dane DeHaan as Jacob Pratt
Dane William DeHaan is an American actor best known for his roles as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Valerian in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. He has also starred in Oppenheimer, Tulip Fever, Two Lovers and a Bear, and other films.
Saura Lightfoot-Leon as Abish Pratt
While she only made her acting debut in 2020, Saura Lightfoot-Leon has already hit the ground running, winning two British Independent Film Award nominations for her debut film role in Hoard.
Derek Hinkey as Red Feather
Derek Hinkey is a former professional boxer turned actor who made his acting debut in 2023 with Walker: Independence. He has also had roles in Django, Americana, and Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 amongst other shows.
Joe Tippett as James Wolsey
Born on March 1st, 1982, Joe Tippett is an American actor who is best known for his roles in the Mare of Easttown, Alaska Daily, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
Jai Courtney as Virgil Cutter
Jai Stephen Courtney is an Australian actor who started his acting career as a teenager with roles in both films and television. However, it’s his role as Eric Coulter in The Divergent Series and as Kyle Reese in Terminator Genisys that shot Courtney to fame. He has also had roles on The Terminal List, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and Suicide Squad amongst others.
Preston Mota as Devin Rowell
Preston Mota is a child actor best known for his role in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City.
Shawnee Pourier as Two Moons
Shawnee Pourier is an up-and-coming American actress who is now known for her role on American Primeval. She made her acting debut in 2022 in Seeds, a short film, and has since earned roles in Stranger Things, Dark Winds, and Rude Girl amongst others.
Shea Whigham as Jim Bridger
Born January 5th, 1969, Shea Whigham is best known for his role as Elias "Eli" Thompson on Boardwalk Empire. Not only that, he has also had roles in Agent Carter, Perry Mason, American Hustle, and several other films and series.
Recurring Cast
Lucas Neff as Captain Edmund Dellinger
Kyle Davis as Tilly
Tokala Black Elk as Buffalo Run
Nick Hargrove as Cottrell
Dominic Burgess as Cook
Alex Fine as Gant
Kip Weeks as Pepper
Kim Coates as Brigham Young
Irene Bedard as Winter Bird
Nanabah Grace as Kuttaambo'i
Alex Breaux as Wild Bill Hickman
FAQs
A. Yes, American Primeval released on January 9th 2025 on Netflix.
A. While American Primeval is a largely fictional narrative, the show does contain a few actual events and characters including Brigham Young of the Mormons.
A. While American Primeval has been marketed as a mini-series, creator and director Peter Berg has revealed that they are in talks over a spin-off rather than a proper season 2 of American Primeval.
