Where was American Primeval filmed? Filming locations of Netflix's latest Western miniseries, explored

Get ready to witness the birth of the American West in Netflix's latest show, American Primeval, which debuts on the streaming platform on January 9, 2025.

According to IMDB, the official logline of the show reads as follows:

''It follows the gritty and adventurous exploration of the birth of the American West, the violent collisions of cults, religion, and men and women fighting for control of the new world.''

Set in 1857, the show is a fictional dramatization of the fight between men and women to possess and gain control of the American West. The violent collision of culture and religion to gain the upper hand over an untamed land of the Old West will be told in Netflix's latest miniseries in six episodes.

Created by Mark L. Smith, the principal photography for the show took place in New Mexico on February 6, 2023. While it was briefly interrupted by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, the crew managed to wrap up the shooting by May 12.

In an interview with Netflix's Tudum, producer Pete Berg expressed his excitement for this new tale,

“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.”

Let's have a look at the filming locations for American Primeval.

Filming locations for Netflix's American Primeval

To authentically depict a bygone era, the crew for American Primeval chose New Mexico as their primary filming location. The semi-arid deserts, mountainous terrains, and natural landscape felt like the perfect choice to recreate an era crucial for the civilization of the American West. These are the major filming locations:

1) Albuquerque

Albuquerque, the 'Duke City' of New Mexico, is a city rich in arts and commerce and was the primary choice for filming for Netflix's latest. The city is a seamless blend of Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo cultures, making it a perfect location to add authenticity to the American West series.

The topography of this place boasts vast stretches of arid deserts, which are ideal for the show in depicting a gritty tale of the Old West and a bygone era with all its dangers and possibilities. Some iconic landmarks for the city include the Petroglyph National Monument, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and ABQ Biopark- Botanical Garden.

2) Bonanza Creek Ranch, Santa Fe

Bonanza Creek is the most iconic and popular location for filmmakers of Western films. It is a historic site just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is also featured in Western classics like The Lone Ranger (2013), The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, and Django Unchained (2012), for its possibility to build extensive sets to capture the richness of Western American culture from the Olden days.

It also boasts a historic Spanish fort that adds to the authentic richness and historical accuracy central to a show like American Primeval. Its Pueblo-style architecture accurately captures the essence of Western dramas and films. The ranch offers endless possibilities to build sets, suiting the period in which the show/film is set.