Versatile and self-aware, Betty Gilpin moves with ease onscreen and onstage

For seven months, she worked in New Mexico to create “American Primeval,” a gruesome western set against the dangerous Utah Territory of 1857. Filming took place under harsh conditions, frequently at night, and with unpredictable co-stars – horses. As the shoot was nearing its end, Hollywood experienced a strike in mid-2023, putting “American Primeval” on hold for months. When production resumed early in 2024, Gilpin found herself six months pregnant with her second child and unable to ride a real horse. In response, the producers provided her with a robotic horse instead.

How the LA Fires Are Impacting Hollywood

In the area, the Palisades fire – the largest among several currently burning – ignited on Tuesday under a combination of circumstances such as strong winds, causing widespread destruction in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood known for its star residents. On Wednesday evening, another significant blaze, dubbed the Sunset fire, started near Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles County. This fire poses a threat to iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl, the Walk of Fame, and the Dolby and TCL Chinese theaters. As of Wednesday night, the Sunset fire has spread over 43 acres without any containment, as reported by CAL FIRE.

In Netflix’s Gritty and Ambitious American Primeval, a Wild West Melting Pot Boils Over

Titled “American Primeval,” Netflix’s most daring western production yet, boldly delves into exploring frontier life in the Utah Territory during 1857, a time of growing tension between North and South as various factions vie for control of this unclaimed territory. The characters include mountain men, bounty hunters, and self-proclaimed pioneers. Brigham Young (Kim Coates) leads a militia of Mormons, who are fighting for their religious freedom in an increasingly ruthless manner; the U.S. Army is tasked with monitoring his actions to prevent him from amassing too much power. Native American communities such as the Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone, who have inhabited this land for centuries, are also present, each employing unique tactics to endure the encroachment of colonizers.