Netflix's New Global Hit Western Series Is A Reminder To Watch Emily Blunt's Forgotten Show On Prime Video With 84% On RT

Since its release on January 9, 2025, American Primeval has quickly become one of Netflix's most popular shows in general and certainly one of the best Westerns on Netflix. The series does not hold back in its depiction of the violence and uncertainty of life during the settlement of the American West, keeping audiences entertained. American Primeval has a great cast, led by Friday Night Lights' Taylor Kitsch and GLOW's Betty Gilpin as two of the many characters attempting to survive in Utah in the 1850s.

American Primeval blends real events with fictional characters to create a compelling look at the conflict between the US Army, Mormon settlers, and Native American groups throughout the territory. Though the series certainly contains some dramatic moments, what makes them even more compelling is that many are based on the truth. Due to its interesting characters and violent mix of fiction and real history, it is unsurprising that American Primeval has made a splash with audiences. While the new Western has rightly received a lot of attention, Prime Video has another Western that is actually rated even higher.

Fans Of American Primeval Should Watch The English

Both Are Great Westerns Featuring A Strong Female Lead

The English puts Emily Blunt in the lead role as Lady Cornelia Locke, an English woman who comes to America seeking revenge for the death of her son. During her journey, she encounters a Pawnee man named Eli Whipp (played by Chaske Spencer), an Army Sergeant who is owed land in Nebraska in payment for his military service. Despite their differences, circumstances force them together, and they continue making their way toward Nebraska. However, as with Sara and Isaac in American Primeval, their journey is not simple or safe.

Though each of the shows have their own stories and unique characters, The English and American Primeval are surprisingly similar. Both shows center on a woman trying to make her way across the American West with a traveling partner, and meeting a lot of trouble along the way. Both series also feature compelling side plots that connect all the dots together, but The English's style of connecting the past and the present circumstances of the characters is arguably even better than American Primeval, as all the side stories ultimately connect to Cornelia Locke.

American Primeval & The English Show How To Get Modern Westerns Right

They Have Compelling Stories And Don't Shy Away From The Brutality Of The Time

One feature that sets The English and American Primeval apart from many of their modern Western counterparts is how unflinching they are in their depictions of the American West. While there is some distinction between the two, as American Primeval is set in 1857 in Utah and The English is set in Kansas and Nebraska in 1890, they both portray those locations and times as very brutal. In fact, both The English and American Primeval's endings make it clear that there were not always happy endings for people living at that time.

The English and American Primeval both feature strong female leads who can be just as brutal as any of the men in the show.

Additionally, both series focus on stories and characters that would not have been the focus in traditional Westerns, effectively refreshing the Western genre. The English and American Primeval both feature strong female leads who can be just as brutal as any of the men in the show. Likewise, American Primeval and The English also feature Native American characters in starring roles, and largely as the more likable characters, in contrast to many traditional Westerns with white male heroes, which did not reflect the reality of American history.

The English Didn't Get The Attention It Deserved

Despite Its Famous Star, The English Did Not Get As Much Attention As American Primeval

Sadly, though Emily Blunt is a household name and the series has been readily available on Prime Video, The English has remained under the radar since its release in 2022. Because it was released during November and December, it may have been overshadowed by holiday releases, but it has remained underrated since then. In contrast, American Primeval has been an immediate success for Netflix. This success may in part be due to the resurging popularity of Westerns or the ending of Yellowstone and its audience's desire for a replacement.

Whatever the case may be, American Primeval's popularity has affirmed the audience desire for great Western shows, and The English is the perfect example of the same type of show. The English is gritty and does not pull its punches, and it features phenomenal performances from its two leads, giving it similarities to the best aspects of American Primeval. Since American Primeval is not confirmed for season 2 yet, The English is the perfect way to continue on with a similar type of story that will leave audiences satisfied.