We are in the United States in 1857. Pain is everywhere, innocence and tranquility are losing the battle against hate and fear. Peace is becoming an increasingly small possibility, and very few possess decency; even fewer know compassion. We are not talking about science fiction or some zombie land, this is the frontier that American pioneers are heading towards and it is real.
‘Once Upon a Time in the West’ (American Primeval) is a fictional dramatization and examination of the violent collision between culture, religion, and community of men and women who struggle and die to preserve some and control others the quarries of United States. This new Netflix miniseries is ready to redefine the genre with its raw storytelling and stunning visuals.
The show, set to premiere on January 9, 2024, features Betty Gilpin and Taylor Kitsch in a thrilling narrative inspired by real historical events, particularly the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre. The series delves into themes of survival, cultural conflicts, and the harsh realities of life in lawless United States. Directed by Pete Berg and written by Mark L. Smith, known for his work on 'The Revenant', 'Once Upon a Time in the West' stands out for its commitment to authenticity. Berg emphasized the team's dedication to filming in the rugged landscapes of New Mexico, capturing the raw essence of the era. "We wanted to make a series that demanded us to delve into the elements," he explained, highlighting the challenges faced by the cast during a 145-day shoot at high altitudes, often in extreme weather conditions.
In this visceral portrait of the American West, Gilpin plays Sara, a mother desperately searching for her husband while trying to protect her young son amidst the chaos. Kitsch plays Isaac, a local with complex backgrounds, raised on a Shoshone reservation. Their dynamic is crucial to the plot and provides a deeply personal lens through which the violent turmoil of the time is explored. “Basically, he speaks Shoshone fluently to give a real sense to his character,” Gilpin noted, praising Kitsch's dedication to immersing himself in his role.
The series does not shy away from graphic violence; on the contrary, its goal is to present a raw description of the period it portrays, with characters grappling with intense moral dilemmas and harsh realities. "We wanted to achieve a certain level of intensity that was faithful to the era," Berg stated, making it clear that 'Once Upon a Time in the West' is both a fictional dramatization and a sincere examination of cultural clashes.
Gilpin's involvement in shaping her character's heart-wrenching journey adds another layer of depth to the series. "There is a tendency to want to make female characters like Sara tough and fearless, but that does not do any favors to the story that people went through," she said, advocating for a more nuanced representation of women in historical narratives.
“Yes, it was important to me that she didn’t feel like Lara Croft. I didn’t want the audience to see Sara as a woman capable of killing a bunch of people and feeling comfortable in that atmosphere,” points out Gilpin. The actress studied and researched the era to be faithful to its customs. “I think about how the women in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ or ‘Downton Abbey’ would be, these women from a buttoned-up society. I think about what their day-to-day life would be like or the life they dreamed of having, which for them involved spending the day sitting writing letters. Or what it would be like to wear corsets and have tea, simply existing within a bubble and living each day as if they were characters in ‘Groundhog Day’. Their existence was repetitive within a very safe, controlled, boring, and hierarchical environment. That's why Sara interested me, a brave woman who leaves everything behind to search for her husband in a hostile land.”
With the growing popularity of westerns in recent years, 'Once Upon a Time in the West' is positioned with many possibilities to capture the audience's attention and generate conversations about its historical themes and character-driven narratives. "It was important for Pete and me that it felt like Sara was completely out of her element. A woman who shouldn't be in this environment, but the circumstances of her life and the secret she holds force her to try to cross those mountains. What is at stake is bigger than her so she is forced to trust someone she probably shouldn't. In order to develop my role, we started by portraying her as someone you wouldn't believe to be brave or belonging to this world, and gradually she discovers her own courage. It was important for me to maintain the authenticity of my character and the story."
Gilpin is an American actress who first found success with a supporting role in 'Nurse Jackie' before becoming a star with her leading role in 'GLOW', also on Netflix. "One of the reasons I became an actress was my passion for the classics. From the Greeks to Shakespeare, I believe our series has a lot of drama, a lot of comedy, it's one of those rare gifts that a muse gives to an actor. The tone, the color, the action, the plot, everything works in 'GLOW'. Plus, I get to work with a wonderful team of actors and actresses. It's a vaudeville on the wrestling ring, where I could portray other characters within your own."
Nominated three times for the Emmy Award, two times for the SAG Award, and three times for the Critics' Choice Award for her portrayal of 'Debbie Eagan/Liberty Belle' in 'GLOW', Gilpin often chooses strong female characters and has just demonstrated this alongside Shailene Woodley in the Starz limited series, 'Three Women', based on the New York Times bestselling non-fiction book written by Lisa Taddeo. Gilpin plays one of the three women, Lina, a housewife in Indiana who has a passionless marriage until she has a life-changing affair. “I read the book when it came out. Me and my group of friends. And we all discussed what percentage of Sloane, Maggie, and Lina we were. When I heard they were preparing the series, I thought it was amazing because Lisa describes women with respect and sheds light on parts of their lives that could be seen as a stain or a mistake. Lisa talks about what we want to hide and does so without judging us. I think she perfectly understands what each woman carries within herself. I like to portray female characters with whom I can connect because they invite understanding of what a woman feels.”
Daughter of actor parents, Gilpin always knew she wanted to be an actress. “Of course, it’s part of my family. They did theater in New York in the 80s and 90s and I, as a child, was fascinated by what they did. My earliest childhood memories are of admiration for this profession and I studied theater before making my debut in the series ‘Law & Order’.