‘American Primeval’ Season 2 Depends on Two Conditions for Peter Berg

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Titled “American Primeval,” this new Netflix television series opened at the peak of their chart, gaining widespread popularity among viewers despite some divided critical opinions (MovieWeb’s Matt Mahler nearly gave it top marks). Masterminded by Mark L. Smith and overseen by director Peter Berg, the show delivers a grim and intense portrayal of frontier existence, focusing on the tumultuous 1850s Utah region where tensions ignited between Mormons and the U.S. administration. Civilians and native communities found themselves in the line of fire as these conflicts unfolded. The entire six-episode series was released on January 9, and while labeled a miniseries, there’s a possibility for a follow-up installment.

During an interview with Decider, Peter Berg, who directed every episode of the series, shared his thoughts on his time during production and discussed factors that might encourage him to return for a second season or at least stimulate conversation about another installment in the gritty historical drama based on real events. For Berg, the decision hinges largely on two things: weather conditions and collaboration with one particular individual.

After finishing our project and seeing all the surviving actors, a deep affection overcame me. There are numerous paths we could take. With my body still recovering from the chilly mountainous conditions during winter, if the location wasn’t as cold, perhaps we could revisit it. If Julie O’Keefe is available for another meeting, I would be open to discussing a return.

‘American Primeval’ Thrives on Historical Accuracy

American Primeval is a series that doesn’t resort to excessive violence merely for effect, but instead uses it to portray historical authenticity and heighten the tension for viewers. Despite several characters meeting their end in the final episode, there are others who survived, potentially serving as key figures in any potential sequels. Furthermore, given the 19th-century frontier setting, the series presents ample opportunities for the characters to confront various survival obstacles.

It’s not surprising that Berg believes Julie O’Keefe is qualified, considering her extensive knowledge of Indigenous cultures. Previously, she worked on Martin Scorsese’s film “Killers of the Flower Moon” and played a significant role in ensuring the historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity of “American Primeval.” In an interview for the Netflix site Tudum, O’Keefe explained that her role involved researching and collaborating with the most respected experts from each tribe featured in the story. She emphasized the importance of working closely with the actual cultural experts and historians from these tribes.

The future of the series “American Primeval” remains undecided, as it was initially planned as a limited miniseries rather than an ongoing one. Its high death toll and factual basis restrict the storyline without venturing too far into fiction. However, given its potential for anthology-style storytelling like Ryan Murphy’s shows “Feud,” “Monster,” “American Horror Story,” and “American Crime Story,” it could continue in a similar vein. You can catch up on the series through the link provided below:

Watch American Primeval

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2025-01-13 15:31