Netflix's 6-Part 'Tombstone Meets Bone Tomahawk' Western Series Quietly Saved A Genre

2 weeks ago 20

Published May 10, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT

Faith Roswell is a Senior Writer on Screen Rant's Classic TV team. Since earning her degree in Creative Writing over a decade ago, Faith has written articles on film and TV from a variety of different angles. Faith now combines her knowledge of psychology with her love of monster movies to give more insight into what makes the best ones.

You may have read her Screen Rant lists and features covering horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, or read her Amazon Top 10 book, "Movie Monsters of the Deep."

Faith has had an extensive career as a writer, appearing on BBC live radio, researching true crime for Rotten Mango podcast, and writing for publications including Mental Floss, Atlas Obscura, and The Daily Jaws before beginning here at Screen Rant.

The Western genre has often been described as an essential classic or an outdated relic depending on the viewer and their preferences. However, the current Western revival is challenging some of the biggest misconceptions about the genre, with the best neo-Western TV shows embracing typical themes and character types while setting the show in the modern age. The most popular example is undoubtedly Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone, which is often credited with popularizing the Western revival. That said, not all prestige Western TV shows have to resemble the sprawling Sheridanverse.

With bloody battles, a graphic scalping, and many scenes of assault and violence, American Primeval is brutal and gory in a way that may shock viewers expecting a more traditional adventure story. However, this unexpected approach is exactly what the Western genre needs to survive and evolve past its older tropes. The show has an 87% positive audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes while Yellowstone has 76%, and while the lower score is still good, American Primeval's success here proves that there is room for much more creativity in the Western genre.

That said, American Primeval divided critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with some critics feeling that the show prioritized its visuals over its characters. On the other hand, other reviewers have commented on the fact that the series highlights the talent of its actors and that the reason many of the most heartbreaking deaths in the show have such an emotional impact is because the viewer has connected with the character. American Primeval's cast includes Kim Coates, Dane DeHaan, and Betty Gilpin playing a character far removed from her previously best-known role.

American Primeval Gave One Actor Their Best Role In Years

Taylor Kitsch as Isaac Reed in American Primeval

The cast of American Primeval includes both well-known and newer actors, and the show has given many of its cast members the opportunity to show a new side of their work. While Betty Gilpin is arguably the most obvious transformation after the 1980s wrestling drama GLOW boosted her profile and earned her three Emmy Award nominations, American Primeval gave another actor their best role in years.

Before American Primeval, Taylor Kitsch was best known for playing the resident troubled bad boy character, Tim Riggins, in the TV show adaptation of the movie Friday Night Lights. The show earned him two Teen Choice Award nominations and gave him his career break. That said, despite later appearances in well-regarded action movies like 21 Bridges and TV shows like True Detective and The Terminal List, he has rarely been afforded the opportunity to play a particularly complex character until American Primeval, which instantly became one of Taylor Kitsch's best TV shows.

Taylor Kitsch lost 20-25 pounds to play Isaac in American Primeval.

Kitsch plays the mysterious guide and mountain man, Isaac Reed, who agrees to accompany Sara and her son on their journey because he knows the landscape. Not only is he central to some of the hardest-hitting moments in the show, but he fully committed himself to the role. Kitsch described filming American Primeval as "hell" due to the harsh weather conditions and learning to ride a horse in a boot after breaking his foot on set. The hardship clearly paid off, with Kitsch's performance being widely praised, and his final scene one of the defining moments in American Primeval.