The Abandons, Netflix’s new series from Kurt Sutter (creator of Sons of Anarchy), is finally on Netflix! Fans of westerns and gripping drama are already hooked. The show stars Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson and unfolds a tense story of family rivalries, shifting alliances, and the fight for survival in the unforgiving wild West.
Promising a return to the raw spirit of the New Frontier—where justice was enforced by force and loyalty could mean life or death—The Abandons is shaping up to be a must-watch. In our full article, you’ll find the complete details: plot, cast, production notes, and release date.
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The Abandons: all the key details
- Original Title: The Abandons
- Format: TV series
- Seasons / Episodes: planned 1 season of 10 episodes
- Genre: western, drama, action
- Country of Production: United States
- Original Language: English
- Creator: Kurt Sutter
- Main Cast: Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson, Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi
- Production: Sutter Ink / Netflix (co-production)
What The Abandons is about
Set in 1854 in the Washington territory, the series follows two opposite families: one wealthy and powerful, bound by blood ties, and the other a group of orphans and outcasts, united by affection and survival. Their lives collide around two pivotal crimes, a dark secret, an impossible love, and a land rich with silver. The narrative reflects the traditional American struggle between wealth and poverty, in a setting where the law holds little power.
“This first chapter of The Abandons is a classic American story — the frontier, two families — both at war and in love with each other, a battle over who owns the land and who makes the rules,” says executive producer Chris Keyser in an interview with Tudum. “Among crimes, vendettas, and forbidden passions, we tackle universal themes: what is family? How do you maintain goodness in a tough world? And how far would you change yourself to protect what you love? We tell this through the characters played by Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson, two widows fighting for survival. Their story is truly worth following.”
The narrative focus is Fiona Nolan, an Irish immigrant who adopted four children to form a family and find meaning in a ruthless world. Her peace is shattered when corrupt forces target her land and the very existence of her family. On the other side, Constance Van Ness is an ambitious matriarch who builds her power through ruthless resources and strategies. Alliances and inevitable conflicts develop between the families, in a tension-filled atmosphere made even more palpable by natural settings and wild landscapes that emphasize the contrast between law and anarchy, ideals and compromises.
Cast and main characters
Lena Headey is Fiona Nolan, a brave woman willing to do anything to protect the family she chose. Gillian Anderson plays Constance Van Ness, a ruthless, cold, and cunning rival with great political and economic ambitions. On Netflix, she can also be found in Scoop. Lucas Till plays Garret Van Ness, a key member of the Van Ness clan involved in the conflict. Aisling Franciosi is Trisha Van Ness, Diana Silvers plays Dahlia Teller, Nick Robinson is Elias Teller, and Natalia del Riego is Lilla Belle. The cast also includes Patton Oswalt, Ryan Hurst, Michael Ornstein, Michiel Huisman, Jack Doolan, and others.
Where was The Abandons filmed?
Main filming took place around Calgary, Alberta (Canada). This choice aligns with the western aesthetic, favoring wide-open spaces, variable climates, and scenic landscapes that enhance the narrative tension.
Is it based on a true story?
No, The Abandons is not based on a true story. It’s a fictional Western‑drama set in the 1850s, and it was not adapted from a real historical event or a non‑fiction book.
Behind the scenes
The idea for The Abandons had long been in Kurt Sutter’s drawer, eager to create a modern western. Netflix ordered the series in 2022, with one season of 10 episodes planned. Preparations and casting began in 2023, slowed by strikes in the film industry. Filming then started in 2024. A turbulent moment came with Sutter’s departure as the main creator due to artistic differences about the pilot, initially conceived as a film and later converted into a TV series.
The series is available on Netflix starting December 4, 2025 ► Don’t miss the Netflix release
