Warning: this article contains slight spoilers for American Primeval.Though it is not Netflix's first Western series, American Primeval has become a global hit, and, almost a month after its initial release, it remains in Netflix's top 10 shows globally. The series captures a new, gory take on historical semi-fiction, combining real people and events with fictional characters who are the emotional heart of the story. In short, American Primeval has all the features of a successful Western series.
American Primeval has a gripping story surrounding a mother and son traveling across the country under dangerous circumstances while the Westerns on Netflix now, the streamer still has yet to match the success that Taylor Sheridan has found in his Yellowstone Western franchise.
American Primeval Doesn't Match Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone Franchise
One Miniseries Cannot Compete With A Franchise
American Primeval has proven itself successful, but Netflix having one hit show is no match for the batch of Westerns that Taylor Sheridan has built for Paramount+. Sheridan currently has 10 shows and movies on Paramount+, which certainly generate more interest than Netflix's American Primeval can do on its own. After airing in 2018, Yellowstone gained a massive level of popularity that has proved how valuable the Western genre can truly be. During its time on air, Yellowstone was also ed by the prequel series 1883 and 1923, and at least three more sequels are rumored to be in development.
Show |
Status/Air Dates |
|---|---|
Yellowstone |
2018-2024 |
1883 |
2021 |
1923 |
2022-2025 |
The Madison |
Filming, likely to air late 2025 |
1944 |
The prequel has been announced |
6666 |
A Yellowstone spinoff |
Along with the shows directly in the Yellowstone franchise, Sheridan's name has also been attached to the new Western series Landman and to 2023's Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The sheer number of shows along with the success that they have found has made Taylor Sheridan the king of the modern Western series, and Netflix is simply unable to match that level of popularity. While arguably even has some advantages over Yellowstone, Netflix has a long way to go before it can truly compete with one of the biggest shows of the past decade.
Could American Primeval Have More Seasons & Spinoffs?
Its Popularity Means Another Season Or Spinoff Could Be Possible
Though nothing has been confirmed yet, audiences have already begun speculating over whether American Primeval will get another season. Based on the first season's popularity, it would certainly make sense for Netflix to capitalize on the show's success and green light another season. However, because American Primeval's ending saw many of the best characters killed off, making a direct sequel could be quite difficult. The only main characters left alive at the end were Sara, Devin, and Two Moons' group, Jim Bridger, and Brigham Young, and the latter two have a set history.
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Instead, the more popular idea that has been proposed is a prequel starring Taylor Kitsch's character Isaac Reed. American Primeval's creator, Peter Berg, has even stated that if the show were to continue, he would choose to focus on other stories in Reed's life. An Isaac Reed prequel would certainly be the best way to go, as it would bring back a fan favorite character and allow Netflix to build on American Primeval's success. However, it is also possible that the streamer could still choose to go in a different direction.
Why Netflix Aiming For Its Own Yellowstone Would Make Sense
A Western Franchise Would Be A Smart Move For Netflix
Netflix catching on to the popularity of Western TV and attempting to create its own version of Yellowstone makes perfect sense because of how massive the show was. Yellowstone was the perfect sort of "Dad TV" that has proven successful for streaming services in the past, and would certainly work for Netflix in the future. Prime Video has done this as well with series like Reacher, proving that it is not only the Western genre but also the target audience and character appeal that matters.
Part of what made Yellowstone so successful in the long term was the combination of action and tense moments with family drama.
From this perspective, as much as American Primeval was an entertaining and well-acted show, it may not be the series that will compete with Taylor Sheridan's Western empire. Part of what made Yellowstone so successful in the long term was the combination of action and tense moments with family drama. Even if an Isaac Reed prequel does happen, American Primeval was far more about the gory, difficult moments of life in the West during the 1850s than it was about the characters' emotions, meaning Netflix may have to adjust the series or start anew to find long-term success.
American Primeval
- Release Date
- 2025 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Netflix
- Directors
- Peter Berg
Cast
Taylor KitschIsaac
Jai CourtneySara Rowell
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Peter Berg, Eric Newman, Mark L. Smith
- Creator(s)
- Peter Berg, Eric Newman, Mark L. Smith
- Seasons
- 1
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