‘The Abandons’: A Perfect ‘Deadwood’ Follow-up Streaming On Netflix

by

Netflix is hoping its new series, “The Abandons,” will revive interest in Westerns (a poor reception could hurt other Western projects the streaming service has planned). The show, available now, centers on Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey), an Irish woman who adopts four children after discovering she’s unable to have her own. However, Fiona’s new life as a mother is complicated when European nobles try to take her Oregon home. Gillian Anderson (known from “The X-Files”) plays Constance Van Ness, the lead antagonist, a ruthless and wealthy character who prioritizes possessions over people and community.

As a big fan of shows like The Shield and Sons of Anarchy, I was really intrigued when I heard about this new series created by Kurt Sutter. It’s a little concerning he left a few weeks before they finished filming the first season, but honestly, I’m still optimistic. The guy’s a proven storyteller – he’s only really missed once with The Bastard Executioner, and even then, some people think that show deserved a longer run. I’m hoping this new one will be another win for him!

With Westerns enjoying a resurgence on TV, now is an ideal time for a show like The Abandons to debut. The popularity of Yellowstone proves there’s a strong demand for well-made, quality storytelling, which is what the show’s creator usually delivers. However, to really stand out, The Abandons needs to be as good as, or even better than, the gold standard of the genre: Deadwood.

Sutter Fell in Love With Westerns After Watching ‘Deadwood’


HBO

Many consider Deadwood, starring Timothy Olyphant, to be the best Western television show ever made. Created by David Milch, known for NYPD Blue, the series is set in 1870s Deadwood, South Dakota, both before and after it officially became part of the Dakota Territory. The show follows the transformation of Deadwood from a rough-and-tumble mining camp into a growing town. Former sheriff Seth Bullock (Olyphant) hopes to find peace, but quickly clashes with Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), a powerful and manipulative saloon owner who controls much of the town.

The series feels surprisingly modern because it explores themes of greed, morality, and crime in a complex way. Critics loved it, giving it a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it won eight awards from 28 nominations, including one Golden Globe. The Writers Guild of America also recognized its excellent writing, ranking it among the top 101 TV series of all time. Despite its popularity, the show was unfortunately cancelled after just three seasons, much to the dismay of its fans. However, a follow-up movie, Deadwood: The Movie, was later released, continuing the story ten years after the series finale.

Kurt Sutter has said that the show Deadwood was a major inspiration for his work. He explained to Deadline that he first came up with the idea long before creating Sons of Anarchy, and Deadwood was always a guiding influence.

I’ve always been drawn to westerns, even before working on ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ and then ‘Deadwood’ came along. It reminded me of the story of Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull, who, after seeing Eric Clapton play guitar, decided he would become the best flautist in rock – and he succeeded! Seeing ‘Deadwood’ had a similar effect on me. It made me realize I wanted to focus on crime dramas, and that’s why I ended up working with so many actors from that show. Despite that, I still really enjoy westerns, and I actually tried to develop a western project during the pandemic.

It became easier for Sutter to get his project approved after Danielle Woodrow, a colleague from his time at FX, joined Netflix. Netflix was actively looking for a Western series similar to Yellowstone, and this allowed Sutter, as a writer and producer, to present his idea.

Though we’ll miss Sutter, the show is still being guided by talented directors. Otto Bathurst, known for his work on Peaky Blinders and Black Mirror, and Stephen Surjik, who directed episodes of The Punisher and The Witcher, are leading the team. Alongside Anderson and Headey, the Western boasts a strong supporting cast full of engaging actors. The four orphaned siblings are played by Lamar Johnson (The Last of Us, Your Honor) as Albert Mason, Natalia del Riego (Velma, NCIS: Los Angeles) as Lilla Belle, Diana Silvers (Booksmart, Ma) as Dahlia Teller, and Nick Robinson (Love, Simon, A Teacher) as Elias Teller.

Is ‘The Abandons’ the Next ‘Deadwood’?


Netflix

The show Deadwood moves at a deliberate, confident pace that feels surprisingly different from most modern television. Its calm moments, contrasted with sudden violence, are refreshing and even startling, largely because it’s been a long time since anyone made a Western with the same careful detail and unhurried style of classic films by directors like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. With the same creative team behind it, The Abandons is poised to become a highly praised Western over time. While it’s too soon to say if it will surpass the Emmy-winning Deadwood, the producers are clearly aiming high, which means everything needs to be flawless. The writers will need to strike a balance – honoring the traditions of the genre without being afraid to take risks and, most importantly, ensure the show remains engaging and fun.

Ultimately, two things are crucial for this show’s success. First, the actors playing villains – especially the one played by Anderson – need to deliver captivating and complex performances. Second, the show needs to maintain compelling storylines over many seasons, lasting longer than similar shows like the one on HBO.

Al Swearengen is one of the most compelling villains on television, and Ian McShane’s performance is a huge reason why. He was perfectly cast as the show’s complex antagonist – truly awful and violent, yet somehow charming. McShane delivers a powerful performance, as does Gillian Anderson. To keep the show strong, Constance Van Ness needs to continue portraying a strong, determined, and unyielding character, avoiding any simplistic portrayal. Swearengen was always a multifaceted character, and while much of what he did was wrong, he often had understandable motivations. Despite his flaws, he genuinely wanted the town to succeed, making him a villain audiences could surprisingly support. He even showed kindness at times, like when he helped the neglected orphan, Trixie.

I really think the long-term success of The Abandons will prove whether it’s a truly great show. It needs to grab a wider audience than just those who already love Westerns, though. We all remember Deadwood – critics adored it, but the ratings just weren’t consistently high enough to guarantee another season. It was expensive to make, with HBO and Paramount sharing the costs. When it came time to renew the show, HBO wasn’t willing to put any more money into it, especially since the viewership wasn’t massive.

Whether this success will continue remains to be seen. Netflix tends to support popular shows, so as long as viewership stays high, the show should continue, regardless of cost. Let’s hope that happens, and in the meantime, let’s appreciate this compelling story, which powerfully illustrates how our pursuit of personal success often comes at the cost of others.

Read More

2025-12-05 01:20