Hey there, Montana history fans! Have you heard the buzz about Netflix’s new series American Primeval? If not, you’re missin’ out, because the legendary mountain man himself, Jim Bridger plays a big role in the story. Finally, Hollywood’s giving him the credit he deserves!

Now, Jim Bridger isn’t just a side character in this show. Nope, he’s right at the heart of it all. Actor Shea Whigham totally nails the role of Bridger in the series. Whigham even said this was one of his favorite characters to play, and honestly, can you blame him? Bridger lived through the kind of chaos and brutality that makes today’s world look like a walk in the park.

For those needing a quick history refresher on Jim and his ties to Montana: Bridger was born in 1804 and orphaned by 13. From there, he became an apprentice to a blacksmith but decided that the great outdoors was way more exciting. He joined William Henry Ashley’s fur trapping expedition and boom, he found himself in Montana.

American Primeval doesn’t sugarcoat the savage reality of the frontier. You’ve got blood feuds, untamed wilderness, and plenty of jaw on the floor/"did-that-just-happen" moments.

But Bridger’s story isn’t all grit and gore. He was a trailblazer, one of the first non-Indigenous folks to explore Yellowstone and the Great Salt Lake area. He even founded Fort Bridger, a fort built to help pioneers travel west. The fort is where much of Bridger's involvement in the series takes place in what is now Wyoming.

Watching all this play out in American Primeval is like stepping into a time machine and landing smack in the middle of the Wild West at its wildest. The cinematography and mind-blowing action sequences will change how you look at life in the Wild West.

So grab some popcorn (or jerky, for the authentic vibe) and get ready for a wild ride.

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