P R I M O R D I A L
In a brutal prehistoric world, a young boy must rise as the reluctant leader of his tribe after his father's untimely death, navigating hostile forces, internal betrayals, and the existential threat of a rival Neanderthal tribe, while uncovering the secrets that could unite or destroy them all.
"Primordial" is an animated, intense, personal exploration of survival set in the unforgiving world of our ancient ancestors. Set during the Cognitive Revolution, the story follows the Ak’tu Tribe, a group of Homo sapiens hunter-gatherers struggling to endure as they move from one harsh environment to another. At the center of this tale is Tarek, the young son of the tribe’s fallen leader, who must quickly rise to the challenge of guiding his people to either prosperity or ruin. Along the way, Tarek battles not only external threats but also internal power struggles that threaten to tear the tribe apart.
The series takes place at a pivotal moment in human evolution, when advanced language, complex social bonds, and belief systems—such as gods and divine bloodlines—begin to take root. These developments set the Ak’tu apart from their human cousins, the Neanderthals, who also inhabit the region. The land they now call home is teeming with Neanderthal bands unwilling to share resources or territory with a rival species.
Each episode presents new, life-threatening challenges for Tarek, his family, and the tribe, as they contend with predators, disease, and the ever-present specter of death. Tarek's desire for vengeance drives him to see the Neanderthals as the ultimate enemy—he believes that eradicating them from the Green River Valley is the key to his tribe’s survival. Yet, as the story unfolds, Tarek begins to understand that danger comes in many forms, both human and otherwise, and that the true battle for leadership may lie closer to home.