Netflix's gritty Western 'American Primeval' is inspired by the true story of a brutal massacre

Preston Mota as Devin Rowell and Taylor Kitsch as Isaac in episode one of "American Primeval."

Matt Kennedy/Netflix

• Netflix's "American Primeval" is inspired by the true story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
• The massacre is depicted in episode 1 and is the inciting incident for the main characters' journey.
• The real-life tragedy took place in 1857 in Utah. 120 people were murdered.

Netflix's dark new Western series, "American Primeval," draws inspiration...