‘American Primeval’ Isn’t a Normal ‘Western’ Says Kim Coates

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With “Yellowstone” concluding, media platforms are seeking ways to fulfill viewers’ cravings for additional content rooted in the “Western” genre. Whether it’s modern-day tales or stories drawn from history, there’s a hunger for such narratives. Leading the charge is Netflix with its upcoming limited series titled “American Primeval“, which delves into the struggle to dominate the American West and the turbulent encounters between religion and societal norms. However, it’s not just a Western, asserts star Kim Coates; it transcends that category entirely.

In an exclusive interview, MovieWeb spoke with actor Coates about the historical drama American Primeval. In this production, Coates portrays Brigham Young, who served as the second president of the LDS church after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844. Following that, he was appointed as the first Governor of Utah Territory in 1851. The story of American Primeval jumps ahead to 1857, a time when Young had already settled into his position. For Coates, this series is not just a Western, but rather an educational journey through history.

I need to share something with you. Recently, Peter and all of our team leaders had a lengthy meeting about the tremendous media attention we’ve been receiving. About a month ago, I spent five hours doing interviews, and while I understand why people classify it as a ‘Western’, for me, this story isn’t just a Western. Instead, it’s more like a history lesson.

Coates stated, “We find ourselves on the brink of the Civil War, and I can hardly fathom how anyone managed to live in 1857. The desire for land was rampant among Native Americans, white settlers, Mormons, and many others. Survival was a constant struggle… This six-part limited series revolves around this very survival instinct, taking place in the Wild West, specifically Utah, and it’s based on actual events.

Kim Coates Dove Deep to Bring Governor Brigham Young to Life

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve always admired the transformative power of character acting, and Coates is truly one of the masters. He immersed himself brilliantly in the role of Tig Trager on Sons of Anarchy, and he did it again here for American Primeval. To embody the enigmatic figure of Governor Young, a real-life historical character, Coates delved into research, seeking to understand his essence. As he put it:

Upon receiving a call from Peter Berg suggesting I play Brigham Young, I felt a momentary pause, exclaiming something like, “Wow, Brigham Young!” At that point, my knowledge about the Mormon faith was limited. I had heard of the university and Joseph Smith, the founder, but not much more. To prepare for the role, I read extensively, covering three substantial books: “The Pioneer Prophet,” “The Prophet and the Reformer,” and “The 27th Wife,” which was written by the only wife to ever divorce Brigham Young. There was a lot of material to digest.

As a film enthusiast, let me share my experience: “I sat down with a Mormon family for a heart-to-heart chat, ensuring them that they were free to keep any secrets if they wished. The only question they chose not to answer remained untold, and I’m respecting their privacy on that matter. But such an opportunity to embody a historical figure like Brigham Young doesn’t come knocking at everyone’s door.

Besides Coates, the miniseries “American Primeval” features Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Jai Courtney, and the consistently excellent Shea Whigham, who plays Jim Bridger. Their scenes with Coates are particularly noteworthy. The six-episode limited series is set to debut on Netflix on January 9, 2025. You can catch it here when it premieres.

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2025-01-08 20:01