‘The Abandons’: Everything We Know About Netflix’s New Western

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Westerns are still popular, especially on streaming services, with shows like Yellowstone and Outer Range leading the way. Netflix has also found success with Western TV shows like American Primeval and Territory, and they’re continuing to invest in the genre. They’re creating a new series, The Abandons, from Kurt Sutter, the creator of Sons of Anarchy and Mayans M.C., hoping to offer viewers another compelling Western. Set to premiere in December 2025, the show is already generating excitement and some believe it could fill the void left by Yellowstone.

The new series, The Abandons, is generating a lot of buzz. Between its stunning yet harsh Old West visuals in the trailer, the compelling story of a fight between a developer and a town, and the incredible performances expected from stars Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, there’s plenty to look forward to. But Western fans will want to know more before it arrives. Here’s a complete overview of The Abandons, including details about the cast, storyline, and release date.

What We Know About the Plot of ‘The Abandons’


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The new series, The Abandons, is set in 1854 in the fictional town of Jasper Hollow, Washington Territory. It centers on a conflict between two powerful women: Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson), a determined businesswoman expanding her late husband’s mining empire, and Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey), a deeply religious woman who has created a family from those living on the edges of society. Fiona is fighting to keep her cattle ranch in Jasper Hollow, a town rich in silver, despite pressure from the Van Ness family. As the two families become entangled, a long-held secret, disputes over land, and a forbidden love story come to light. According to executive producer Christopher Keyser in an interview with Tudum, the first part of the series focuses on the intense rivalry between these two women.

The first chapter of The Abandons tells a familiar American tale: families clashing on the frontier, caught between love and rivalry, and fighting for control of the land and its future.

I’m seriously hyped for this new show! The creator, Keyser, says it’s going to be a wild ride with tons of twists and turns, and honestly, the cast alone – Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson as these powerful widowed women – is enough to get me hooked. It sounds like it’s not just about murder and revenge (though there’s plenty of that!), but also about really big questions like what family means and how to stay true to yourself when things get tough. It’s going to be amazing to see these actresses tackle that. We don’t know if it’ll get a second season yet, but the first one sounds absolutely addictive – and perfect for anyone missing Yellowstone right now. I can’t wait!

‘The Abandons’ Comes With a Phenomenal Cast and Crew


Netflix

Kurt Sutter, the creator of The Abandons, is a seasoned TV veteran known for shows like The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, The Bastard Executioner, and Mayans M.C. However, he left the project shortly before filming finished, and neither he nor Netflix publicly explained the reason. Though Sutter directed the first episode, Otto Bathurst and Rob Askins took over for the remainder of the season, and the show doesn’t currently have a single showrunner. Despite behind-the-scenes challenges, Sutter’s initial work provides a foundation for the series. Bathurst, who has directed episodes of popular shows like Black Mirror, His Dark Materials, and Halo, helped guide the series beyond that first episode with his experience.

The main draw of the new series, The Abandons, will likely be its stars: Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan and Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness. Gillian Anderson first became famous for her role as Dana Scully in The X-Files and has continued to be a prominent figure in television and film, with recent appearances in Sex Education and Tron: Ares. Lena Headey is widely recognized for her performance as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones. This marks the first time Headey and Anderson will share a screen, and audiences are excited to see the dynamic between these two talented actresses as rivals.

The show boasts a strong supporting cast, featuring well-known actors from popular Netflix series like Marc Menchaca (from Ozark) and Katelyn Wells (Ginny & Georgia). Several actors who have previously worked with the show’s creator also make appearances, including Brían F. O’Byrne (The Bastard Executioner), Clayton Cardenas (Mayans M.C.), and Michael Ornstein (Sons of Anarchy).

Complete cast list of The Abandons:

  • Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan
  • Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness
  • Brían F. O’Byrne as Walter Paxton
  • Clayton Cardenas as Quentin Serra
  • Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Oma Serra
  • Haig Sutherland as Pastor Collier
  • Jack Doolan as Leslie Moran
  • Jonathan Koensgen as Joseph Langley
  • Katelyn Wells as Samara Alderton
  • Marc Menchaca as Sheriff Hayworth
  • Michael Greyeyes as Jack Cree
  • Michiel Huisman as Roache
  • Michael Ornstein as Issac Marstein
  • Patton Oswalt as Mayor Nibley
  • Sarah Grace White as Kiki

When and How To Watch Netflix’s ‘The Abandons’


Netflix

Get ready to binge! The new series The Abandons will be available on Netflix starting December 4, 2025. All 10 episodes will be released at once, giving you a full season to enjoy. Netflix is planning a big December with plenty of holiday content, including the new Christmas series Man vs. Baby featuring Rowan Atkinson, and the final season of Stranger Things. Emily in Paris will also be back for its fifth season. The Abandons is launching at the beginning of the month, making it a great choice to watch before you get caught up in all the seasonal favorites.

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2025-11-12 05:04