The Abandons Review: A Western Drama With a Star-Studded Cast That Misses the Mark

Netflix’s latest western series, The Abandons, was highly anticipated due to its pedigree and star-studded cast, including Game of Thrones alum Lena Headey and The X-Files’ Gillian Anderson. Created by Kurt Sutter, co-creator of Sons of Anarchy, the series was expected to fill the void left by Yellowstone with its gritty portrayal of the lawless 1850s Washington Territory. However, despite the initial buzz, The Abandons has faced significant criticism, leaving fans and critics underwhelmed. Currently holding a mediocre 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, the show’s debut has been less than spectacular. Here’s why the show isn’t living up to expectations.

Key Features of The Abandons

The Abandons centers around two strong-willed women, Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey) and Macey O’Grady (Gillian Anderson), who battle for supremacy in the unforgiving frontier of 1850s Washington Territory. Despite the intriguing premise and talented cast, the series has failed to capture the attention of critics and viewers alike.

Feature	Details
Show Name	The Abandons
Premiere Date	December 2025
Creators	Kurt Sutter (initially), Otto Bathurst & Rob Askins
Cast	Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson, others
Setting	1850s Washington Territory, Pre-Civil War America
Genre	Western Drama
Platform	Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score	50%

The Struggles: Why Critics Are Disappointed?

The reviews have been harsh, with many pointing out the lack of originality and the unconvincing execution of the storyline. Critics have compared The Abandons unfavorably to Yellowstone, noting that while both shows focus on family dynamics and land ownership, The Abandons lacks the compelling depth and authenticity of its predecessor.

Nick Schager of The Daily Beast criticised the show for its predictability, noting that Sutter’s series “piles on clichés without any sense of authenticity, rhythm, or originality.” He pointed out that while Yellowstone had a certain “assuredness” in its writing, The Abandons fell short of providing any meaningful commentary or engaging moments. Schager speculated that The Abandons would struggle to retain an audience, particularly with its focus on “pre-Civil War America,” a time and place that “was a down-and-dirty” setting but failed to explore any deeper themes.

In a similarly scathing review, Judy Berman of Time blasted the series as “everything wrong with TV in 2025.” While she acknowledged Headey’s strong performance as Fiona Nolan, she criticised the show’s lack of memorable characters and reliance on tired Western tropes. Berman described the series as “cobbled-together” and full of “unmemorable” characters and cliched plotlines, which she believes viewers have seen too many times before. She expressed frustration that The Abandons didn’t do enough to differentiate itself from the Western genre’s oversaturation in TV.

Storyline Breakdown

The show follows two formidable women, Fiona and Macey, who navigate the harsh terrain of the American frontier in the mid-1800s. The lawless world of the Washington Territory serves as the backdrop, with the two women battling not only each other but the unforgiving forces of nature, lawlessness, and the pursuit of land.

Fiona Nolan, played by Lena Headey, is a woman who’s seen it all. A landowner with a complicated past, she’s determined to preserve her family’s holdings despite the ever-present threat of hostile forces. On the other side is Macey O’Grady, portrayed by Gillian Anderson, whose motivations seem more personal than simply survival. These women’s rivalry is the show’s central conflict, but as the critics have pointed out, it’s not enough to carry the weight of the series.

The lack of fresh perspectives and characters who feel more like cardboard cutouts rather than fully fleshed-out individuals contributes to the show’s inability to capture the same audience that flocked to Yellowstone or Sons of Anarchy.

What Could Have Worked?

Despite the harsh criticisms, there are still aspects of The Abandons that show potential. The show’s production design and costume work are noteworthy, capturing the gritty atmosphere of the 1850s frontier. The performances from Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson also add some depth to the characters, even if the writing fails them.

1. Star Power: Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson, both known for their iconic roles in Game of Thrones and The X-Files, respectively, bring credibility and skill to their performances. However, their star power couldn’t overcome the lacklustre writing.
2. Setting & Atmosphere: The 1850s Washington Territory, with its wild and untamed nature, provides a visually striking backdrop that could have supported a more compelling story. The production team’s attention to detail in crafting this environment was a definite strength.

Behind-the-Scenes Struggles

The series was originally set to begin production in 2023 but faced delays due to the union strikes. Filming eventually began in May 2024 and concluded in October 2024, with the show’s first season now available for streaming. However, production issues weren’t confined to the timeline.

Kurt Sutter, who was initially set to helm the project, left the series before production wrapped. Sources close to the production cited “creative differences” between Sutter and Netflix as the primary cause of his exit. This departure came after Sutter reviewed the rough cut of the first few episodes. Netflix felt the show was too long, pushing for a split of the first installment into two episodes, which required additional scenes to be filmed.

After Sutter’s exit, Otto Bathurst and Rob Askins took over as the new showrunners, continuing production under a new direction. This change in leadership likely contributed to the uneven nature of the final product, with critics noting a lack of cohesion and direction.

Comparison: The Abandons vs. Yellowstone

While comparisons between The Abandons and Yellowstone are inevitable, they highlight the key differences between a show that works and one that falls flat.

Feature	The Abandons	Yellowstone
Core Theme	Female rivalry in a lawless frontier	Family dynamics, land ownership, and power struggles
Tone	Gritty, but lacks nuance and originality	Raw, intense, and emotionally charged
Character Depth	Shallow, with stereotypical characters	Deep, multidimensional characters with complex arcs
Writing Quality	Predictable, clichéd plotlines	Tense, gripping writing with moral dilemmas
Viewer Engagement	Mixed reviews, unlikely to retain a large audience	Massive following, consistently strong ratings

Recent Updates: Changes and Adjustments

Since its release, the series has been heavily critiqued, and while Netflix has yet to comment on the reception, changes in creative direction and the departure of Kurt Sutter are clear indicators of the struggles behind the scenes. The first season, clocking in at over 1 hour and 40 minutes, was initially envisioned as a more concise story but was split to accommodate Netflix’s direction.

Why It Matters?

The Abandons serves as a cautionary tale for Western dramas in the streaming age. While there’s still an audience for period pieces set in the rugged American frontier, it’s clear that the genre needs more than just a compelling premise and a famous cast to thrive. Strong writing, fresh perspectives, and complex characters are essential to capturing viewers’ attention in an oversaturated market.

With Yellowstone’s success, there’s been a surge in interest in Western-themed dramas. However, The Abandons demonstrates that even with the pedigree of Kurt Sutter and a talented cast, success isn’t guaranteed unless the show can offer something new and engaging.

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