Netflix to “eat Yellowstone” with violent new Western series

Netflix may be set to “eat Yellowstone” after releasing first-look footage of its violent new Western series.

Although Paramount’s Yellowstone has been accused of dropping in quality over the course of its seasons, Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western series remains one of the most popular entries to the TV landscape in recent years. 

Its Season 5 premiere alone did record-breaking numbers, with more than 12 million viewers across the US tuning in when it arrived in November 2022. Though it’s coming to an end, the Yellowstone universe will live on through its various spinoffs, including 1923, 6666, and a handful of others in development. 

Now it appears Netflix is hoping to lasso some of that success with the upcoming release of a violent new Western series. 

Netflix will “eat Yellowstone” with new Western series

This week, Netflix shared a first look at American Primeval, a six-episode series exploring the raw and adventurous birth of the American West. The reveal, shared at the Next on Netflix event, comprised footage of the show ahead of its 2024 release. Check it out: 

There’s been much hype about American Primeval, with many describing it as Netflix’s answer to Yellowstone. JoBlo joked at the time of its announcement: “Lookout Paramount, Netflix is looking to eat Yellowstone’s prairie dog and beans with a Western series of its own design.”

Elsewhere, ScreenRant predicted that it will “make Yellowstone seem tame.” Others are just hyped about the show, with the footage showing wagons journeying through the vast landscape, Taylor Kitsch’s character pointing his gun, and Native American warriors riding to battle. 

Sharing the Netflix 2024 preview on X, one wrote: “That 2.8 seconds of American Primeval has rocked my world.” “I’m excited for American Primeval,” said another, while a third added that they’re “waiting for American Primeval.”

While the show has sparked Yellowstone comparisons, the Kevin Costner starring series is a neo-Western, whereas American Primeval takes us back to the Old West. 

“Prepare for violent collisions of cultures, religions, and communities as men and women fight and die for control of this new world – and for a land they truly believe is their destiny,” explains Netflix.  

“The ensemble tells a story of the sacrifice all must pay when they choose to enter a lawless and untamed wilderness.”

Alongside Kitsch, the cast includes Jai Courtney, Kyle Bradley Davis, Dane DeHaan, Betty Gilpin, Nick Hargrove, Derek Hinkey, Saura Lightfoot Leon, Preston Mota, Shawnee Pourier, Joe Tippett, and Shea Whigham. 

Speaking to Netflix, director and executive producer Pete Berg said: “I’m looking forward to taking viewers into the most dynamic, intense, and heart-pounding survival tale humanly possible. We are going into the belly of the beast.”