Netflix has released all seven episodes of 'The Abandons,' a revisionist Western created by Kurt Sutter. The series stars Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey as rival matriarchs in a 19th-century frontier tale. Set against sweeping Alberta landscapes, it explores themes of family feuds and land disputes amid production challenges.
Overview
'The Abandons' is a Netflix drama centered on the intense rivalry between widowed mining mogul Constance Van Ness, played by Gillian Anderson, and Irish immigrant Fiona Nolan, portrayed by Lena Headey. Fiona leads an adopted family of outcasts in the fictional town of Angel’s Ridge, which Constance seeks to claim for its potential silver riches. The story draws echoes of 'Deadwood' with its focus on frontier tensions, investor influences like Cornelius Vanderbilt, and violent confrontations between the groups.
Cast and Characters
Supporting the leads are Diana Silvers as Dahlia, Nick Robinson as Elias, Lamar Johnson as Albert, Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle, and Aisling Franciosi as Trisha. The ensemble includes a brief role for Patton Oswalt as the town mayor. Reviews note strong performances from Anderson and Headey, with Anderson delivering a steely Machiavellian presence and Headey a protective ferocity, though character development for others feels uneven.
Production Background
Created by Kurt Sutter of 'Sons of Anarchy' fame under Sutter Ink, the series faced a turbulent production. Sutter departed before filming concluded, and the episode order was reduced from 10 to eight, then to seven, resulting in shorter runtimes around 30 minutes each. Shot in Alberta to depict 19th-century Washington settings, the show emphasizes graphic violence and family bonds but has been critiqued for its abrupt finale and underdeveloped premise.
Release Details
All episodes became available for streaming on Netflix on December 4, 2025. While praised for its lead actors and visual scope, 'The Abandons' has drawn mixed reactions for feeling compressed and incomplete compared to its ambitious setup.