New Netflix Series Debuting Thursday: Accuracy of Brigham Young and Mountain Meadows Storyline

On Thursday, Netflix is dropping a new six-episode series called “American Primeval” that takes a fictionalized look at the events of the Utah War in 1857. This series is not a documentary, but rather a dramatized version of history, incorporating real figures like Brigham Young, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while also highlighting events like the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Historian Barbara Jones Brown, co-author of “Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath,” noted that the series is clearly labeled as fiction, giving the creators the freedom to craft their own narrative. The Utah War was a complicated time, instigated by U.S. President James Buchanan and characterized by resistance from President Young and the Latter-day Saints in the face of federal encroachment on the Utah Territory.

The show aims to capture the harsh reality of survival in the American West during that time period, showcasing the violent clashes and struggles faced by individuals as they fought to control the land. The creators want to delve into the gritty and intense aspects of human survival, providing viewers with a heart-pounding tale of life in the 19th century.

The series uses the Mountain Meadows Massacre as a focal point of its narrative, a tragic event that occurred amid tensions between different groups in the region. While some historians have debated the extent of President Young’s involvement in the massacre, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that he ordered it. The series explores the complexities of the Utah War, the challenges faced by early settlers, and the brutal realities of life in the American frontier.

Through a fictionalized lens, “American Primeval” seeks to examine the collision of cultures, religions, and communities in a landscape where survival is the ultimate goal. With characters like Jacob Pratt and Isaac Reed navigating this tumultuous terrain, the series promises to deliver a gripping and intense portrayal of historical events. If you’re a fan of historical dramas with a twist, this may be a series worth checking out when it premieres on Netflix.