Exclusive Interview: Kim Coates Unravels the Dark History of Brigham Young in ‘American Primeval’

Kim Coates is no stranger to transformative roles, but his portrayal of Brigham Young in Netflix’s American Primeval takes his craft to an entirely new level. Known for his ability to delve deep into complex characters, Coates masterfully unravels the layers of one of history’s most polarizing figures. The limited series doesn’t shy away from the dark and violent truths of America’s past, and Coates delivers a performance that is both haunting and human, capturing the desperation and decisiveness required to survive in 1857.

With meticulous attention to detail—from adopting a period-accurate accent to fully embodying the physicality and mindset of Brigham Young—Coates immerses himself in a role that challenges perceptions and sparks reflection. Filmed entirely on location, the visceral environment amplifies the intensity of Coates’ performance, making it a standout in an already gripping series. His dedication to unraveling the complexities of history and character results in a portrayal that lingers long after the credits roll.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Kim to talk about his transformative performance in American Primeval.

trong>PC: It was important to both Peter [Berg] and Mark [L. Smith] that you filmed this on location with the elements, creating such a visceral viewing experience for audiences. How did filming in that environment help elevate your performance?
Kim: It was paramount—absolutely necessary, deeply felt, visceral, and even violent. The weather kept us all fully immersed. With the wranglers managing the horses, the authenticity of Fort Bridger, where everything was recreated to historical scale, and the wardrobe and research—the books I read and the preparation to play Brigham freaking Young—it all came together. There were no soundstages; everything depended on the lighting and the acting. Our DP, Jacques [Jouffret] from Paris, was incredible. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. The outside elements truly enhanced everything.

PC: Your performance is transformative. The last time we spoke, you mentioned starting from the inside out when preparing for a character. But with this role’s unique physicality, how did that change your approach? How did you prepare, especially since you’re unrecognizable?
Kim: I do remember talking to you before. Did I say that last time? Because that really is how I usually work. But with this guy, it was the exact opposite. When Peter Berg and I had our first conversation about two years ago—almost to the day—he offered me the role of Brigham Young. I said, “Hold on a second.” They sent me some material to read, and then I looked up what he looked like. There was a resemblance—we have the same blue eyes and cheekbones. He had very blond, crimson hair, so I dyed mine completely blond crimson, as you saw. He couldn’t grow facial hair until much later in life, so I only had mutton chops.

We talked extensively about the wardrobe. I also had sit-down meetings with a couple of wonderful Mormon friends. I’m not Mormon myself, and to be truthful, I didn’t know much about the religion, but I learned quickly. I’ll never forget the experience of embodying him and truly feeling like him. I carried my Book of Mormon everywhere with me and stayed in character day in and day out, especially working with Shea Whigham, who I did most of my scenes with. It was a powerful time for me.

PC: Can you expand on that partnership with Shea, especially since so much of your storyline centers around the acquisition of that fort?
Kim: Once I had the exterior down, I could start to feel what he was like from the inside out. I figured out how he sounded—using that mid-Atlantic accent. I listened to some recordings from the 1890s, not of Brigham Young himself, but of someone from that era. They had a very particular way of speaking, and I worked to encompass that.

When I met Shea, I was already a big fan of his, and he turned out to be a big fan of mine too. You just hope that someone like him—a great actor—is also a good guy. I’ll never forget the moment that door opened in his little hut. I was sitting inside, just being myself, and Shea walked in and said, “Brigham Young, bring it in.” We hugged each other, and from that moment, there was a trust between us. I think it really shows on screen.

PC: It definitely does. There’s such an intense push and pull. The limited series doesn’t shy away from showing the ugliness and violence in our history. Your character, in particular, makes a lot of decisive decisions throughout. But like so many, he’s fighting for survival. For you as an actor, how did you create that space to go to those dark and vulnerable places while also showing that contrast?
Kim: That’s a very loaded and thoughtful question. When you’re playing Brigham Young, no matter what you may or may not know about the Mormon religion or what you may think about Joseph Smith, the story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre has never been told in such an expansive way as Peter Berg is doing it. It was a time of survival. With Brigham Young, whether you learn to respect him, question him, or wrestle with what he was thinking or the dynamics of the Mormon religion, this story needed to be told.

I’ve never been afraid to fail—maybe that’s why I don’t, because I’m not afraid to. With Peter Berg, Mark L. Smith, the writers, and myself, we had in-depth discussions about Brigham Young’s choices, his thoughts, and whether he was being manipulative or completely honest. Nothing was perfect in 1857. Everyone was scrapping for survival. The Mormons were being persecuted over and over again, and their response was fighting violence with violence. It’s messy and deeply human, and I wanted to bring that complexity to the role.

To keep up with Kim, follow him on X and Instagram. Stream American Primeval on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Netflix