Taylor Kitsch’s new brutal western series is dominating the top charts on Netflix

“Friday Night Lights,” the television drama that followed the rise and fall of the Dillon High School Panthers football team, is rightly considered by critics and viewers to be one of the best shows of the 21st century. Although the series never achieved Nielsen ratings During its five seasons (Oddly enough, it’s a highly compelling and accessible saga centered around America’s most popular sport), and those who loved it rode a weekly emotional rollercoaster of triumphs, defeats, romances, breakups, and one murder (a poorly thought-out plot that represents the series’ only blunder). The writing, led by showrunner Jason Katims, aside from the aforementioned detour, was sharp and always surprising, while the cast, led by Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, struck resonant chords with their portrayals of decent, flawed human beings trying to do what’s right. By their teammates, family and friends outside the locker room.

The show not only boosted Chandler and Britton’s careers; It has also introduced an exciting group of young talent to the world including Jesse Plemons, Michael B. Jordan, Adrian Palicki, Micah Kelly and Zach Gilford. Among the series’ early standouts, an actor who seemed particularly poised for movie stardom was Taylor Kitsch. As tough, trouble-making linebacker Tim Riggins, Ketch displayed an irresistible charm and a devilish penchant for danger. Studios could certainly turn this guy into an action hero, if not an award-winning stage actor.

After briefly appearing as the mutant Gambit in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” Kitsch got his chance at big-time stardom in 2012 with the films “John Carter” and “Battleship.” “Savages.” The first two currently rank in the top 10 flops of all time, overshadowing the fact that he was very good in the third (a sleazy Oliver Stone thriller that got lost in the summer shuffle).

But even though Kitsch never became the A-list movie star he could have been, I think he could have been (and still can be at the age of 43), he took those failures in stride and went on to work in both cinema and… And TV. And now, 13 years after the messed-up year of 2012, he’s the star of Netflix’s most-watched series!

According to the FlixPatrol websitethe new western series “American Primeval” is the highest-rated show on Netflix. Yes, it is currently more popular than the “Squid Game”.

“American Primeval” is a graphically violent story of conquest and survival in the midst of the mid-19th century Utah War between Mormon settlers and the U.S. Army. Betty Gilpin plays a determined woman trying to move herself and her son from Fort Bridger to California, where she will meet her husband. When they are unable to secure an escort to their destination, she turns to a mysterious loner played by Kitsch to guide her through this evil hell.

Kitsch received rave reviews for his performance in the miniseries, which, as directed by his former “Friday Night Lights” (and yes, “Battleship”) collaborator Peter Berg, received generally mixed reviews. Because the view was created by Mark L. Smith, screenwriter of The Revenant. It should come as no surprise that this western epic is tough sledding. If you’re able to handle some particularly graphic violence, you may find that “American Primeval” is just borderline redolent for you. It has a great topic (which has been touched upon somewhat Scott Frank’s hit Netflix series ‘Godless’) and an A-list cast that also includes Kim Coates, Dane DeHaan, Jai Courtney, and the reliably adorable Shea Whigham. Try it while you’re hunkered down this winter!