With its upcoming Western television series American Primeval, Netflix is following in the footsteps of Yellowstone. However, the initial glimpses of the new show suggest that it will have darker tones than its predecessor.
Despite receiving mixed reviews for its first season, Yellowstone was one of the most watched and critically acclaimed television programs when season 2 debuted. This was thanks to Paramount’s bold decision to take a chance on the Taylor Sheridan series.
It simply continued getting better, and as a result, numerous other production companies noticed and started working on their Western productions. Of course, Yellowstone has contributed to the renaissance of the Western genre.
Sheridan is still producing in this genre, with his next show Land Man, and his miniseries Lawmen: Bass Reeves from 2023. Horizon: An American Saga is a four-part Western epic that Kevin Costner is directing, writing, producing, and starring in.
A couple of Amazon Prime Video’s initiatives are now in development. Lastly, it appears like Netflix is committed to making American Primeval the same kind of success as Yellowstone.
American Primeval Looks Like A Darker, Bigger & More Violent Yellowstone
On February 1, Netflix unveiled a preview of its 2024 TV shows and movies, including a clip from American Primeval. Despite being brief, the first look gives fans a preview of what to expect from the next Western.
Three sequences from the video are shown: men on horses on Indigenous land who appear to be riding toward combat; wagons moving through a dark and enigmatic terrain; and Taylor Kitsch’s character pulling out a rifle.
The editing and dark colors of these three samples suggest that the limited series on Netflix will be gorier and more graphic than Yellowstone.
Produced by Pete Berg, Eric Newman, and Mark L. Smith, the new show centers on a bloody collision of cultures and religions and the struggle for control of the American West.
The fact that American Primeval exists indicates that Netflix is attempting to emulate Yellowstone’s popularity. Still, the first glimpse of the new limited series shows how the streaming service aims to outdo the Paramount production by bringing up the violence and harshness of the West (at least, during the early days of American colonization).
Hence, Netflix is putting its unique take on the Western genre rather than trying to imitate Taylor Sheridan’s masterpiece. The company’s desire to have its own Yellowstone is clear from the 2024 Next trailer on Netflix. There are more Western TV shows that Netflix will soon be releasing in addition to American Primeval.
Another series that delves into the in-demand genre is being produced by the streaming service called Ransom Canyon. Starring Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel, April Blair wrote, produced, and directed the film Ransom Canyon, which tells the narrative of a modern-day Western romance.
While Kelly’s character moves out of New York and back to the Texas town, Duhamel’s character owns a ranch there. The show’s debut date is unknown, but Netflix is developing several Westerns in the wake of Yellowstone’s popularity.