The Abandons

In the 1850s Washington Territory two neighboring households compete for control of land and influence, each led by a formidable matriarch. Fiona Nolan, wealthy and ruthless, uses legal clout and hired guns to expand her empire. Constance Van Ness commands devotion from a poorer kinship network that prizes loyalty and raw grit. Young members from each household, including the Teller siblings, get pulled into local politics, alliances, and feuds as the frontier's weak laws let personal ambitions decide outcomes. The series focuses on shifting alliances, moral compromise, and the cost of power in a place where rules are made by those with muscle and money. Romantic ties and disputed inheritances make loyalties fragile, and survival is as political as violent.

Kurt Sutter created the series, which premiered in 2025. Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson lead the cast, with Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, and Lucas Till in key roles, and Sutter's reputation for morally complex drama raised expectations and gritty tone.

As of its initial run the show hasn't received major awards or major nominations, though several critics singled out Headey and Anderson for strong performances and praised the ensemble chemistry in early reviews. Reviewers have repeatedly noted standout scenes and performances in early coverage.

The Abandons has sparked conversation about a female-driven western and about Kurt Sutter's return to serialized TV. Fans discuss its tone and production design on social media, while some scenes have been reposted for their gritty visuals. Its stylized visuals and costume work have been shared on social feeds, helping build a modest online following.

Critical response has been mixed, reflected in a roughly 5.6/10 user score from 75 votes. Reviewers praise the show's focus on power, class, loyalty, and the legal vacuum of the frontier, while noting uneven pacing and occasionally heavy-handed plotting. Themes include corruption, family obligation, gendered power, and frontier lawlessness.