American Primevalis a new Netflix Western series that shocked many for its graphic, disturbing violence, but above all, the show has been praised for its talented cast. The show centers on Sara and Devin, a mother and son who flee from their past and are met with the unforgiving landscapes of the American West.American Primevalboasts a cast of compelling charactersplayed by some of TV’s most seasoned actors, like Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin.Despite the experienced actors in the cast, newcomer Shawnee Pourier stands out for her nuanced performance as Two Moons.
Shawnee Pourier is an Indigenous actor who grew up in New Mexico and graduated from high school in Albuquerque. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and can speak Lakota (viaThe Direct). At only 20 years old, Pourier’s career is just getting started, and she has time to develop herself as an actress. But based on her performance inAmerican Primeval, it’s clear that Pourier is a star for the ages.
How Shawnee Pourier Landed The American Primeval Role
She Responded To A Casting Call
Although Shawnee Pourier might beAmerican Primeval’s breakout star, it is not her first acting credit. Pourier made her television debut on the wildly popular Netflix seriesStranger Things, which is set to release its fifth and final seasonlater in 2025. InStranger Things, Pourier played “Cute Girl,” who flirted with and even rubbed her foot against Noah Schnapp’s Will Byers in season 4.
Pourier also appeared in theNative American-influenced seriesDark Windsinseason 2 as Anna Atcitty. It’s Anna’s murder that gets the plot rolling, as the first 2 episodes of season two deal with uncovering the truth behind her death.
This all led to Pourier becoming cast inAmerican Primeval. The actress discussed how she acquired the role through Instagram, in an interview withPop Culture With Pat:
“So I was scrolling through Instagram one day and Midthunder Casting posted a casting call for [American Primeval], and I was like, oh, that’s interesting. And then I was talking to my sister, and my sister was like: ‘You should ask your agent about it”…. And then I was going to talk to my agent about it, and she sent me the audition.’
Pourier went on to reveal that she was called back by casting directors twice and eventually landed the roleofTwo Moons. The rest, as they say, is history.
Shawnee Pourier Plays Two Moons With No Dialogue
The American Primeval Actress Relied On Facial Expression & Gestures
American Primevalis stacked with memorable characters, with Pourier playing Two Moons, a young Indigenous woman from the Shoshone tribe. Two Moons is a silent character because her tribe cut her tongue out. After she loses her ability to speak, she escapes her community, eventually joining forces with Sara and Devin.Two Moons can be described as a driven character who is determined to survive on the prairie.
American Primeval Is Over For Now, But There Are 3 Good Ways To Continue Netflix’s Hit Western Show
The Western American Primeval was a massive success for Netflix, and luckily there are several great ways for the streamer to continue the series.
Pourier’s performance is especially captivating because she can’t rely upon dialogue to express her motivations, personality, or emotions. Still, she brings so much to the role simply through her gestures, movements, and facial expressions. Through Pourier’s performance, viewers know what Two Moons is going through.
Two Moon’s movements are strategic and change with each situation. Pourier is especially good at conveying urgency and drama in her physicality, which fits her character. Her ability to craft a character with such depth and still give her a personality is a testament to Pourier’s acting ability. Regarding Two Moons’ speech, Pourier said,
“She could talk, she just chose not to because it would sound weird. Well, that’s what I put together in my head.”
What’s Next For Shawnee Pourier
Her Future Is Bright
It seems unlikely thatAmerican Primevalwill not return for season 2, as it was conceived as a limited series. However, executive producer Peter Berg discussed the weatherconditions needed to film a second season ofAmerican Primeval, as the first season saw the cast and crew battling frigid temperatures to secure a shot. But in terms of story, Sara, Devin, and, of course, Two Moons would be at the center of a potential second season.
As for Pourier, she continues to keep busy, even when she’s not acting. She is an ambassador for 3Feathers Quilts, a company that produces authentic Native American star quilts. She frequently appears in 3Feather’s social media videos, endorsing and emphasizing the quilts’ significance to Indigenous cultures. Although the future is uncertain forShawnee Pourier, her talent speaks for itself.
