Why Kurt Sutter Left Netflix’s Western ‘The Abandons’

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Set to launch on Netflix on December 4, 2025, The Abandons is shaping up to be a strong competitor to Yellowstone. The series, created by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, features Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson as powerful, opposing mothers battling for control in the American Old West.

This new Western series on Netflix features a fantastic supporting cast and realistically depicts the difficult life on the American frontier in the 1800s – it’s likely to be a hit with viewers who enjoy shows like Yellowstone. Beyond the interesting story and characters, it’s also important to mention that Kurt Sutter unexpectedly left the production.

What Is Netflix’s ‘The Abandons’ About?

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From Kurt Sutter, the creator of shows like The Shield and Sons of Anarchy, comes The Abandons, a Western action drama taking place in the Oregon/Washington Territory in 1854. The series centers on the fierce conflict between the Nolan and Van Ness families. Lena Headey, known for her roles in Game of Thrones and Dredd, stars as Fiona Nolan, an Irish immigrant and devout woman who came to America seeking a better life for her family in the silver mining town of Jasper Hollow.

Fiona, unable to have children of her own, lovingly adopts four orphaned children and raises them as her family, believing she’s fulfilling a divine purpose. Together, they become known as The Abandons. While trying to create a good life for her family on the frontier, Fiona clashes with Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson, known from The X-Files and Sex Education), a wealthy widow determined to take control of their land.

With the conflict between the two families escalating, Fiona and Constance are at the forefront of a fierce fight to control their territory. According to executive producer Chris Keyser (speaking with Tudum by Netflix):

As a film buff, I’m really intrigued by the start of The Abandons. It feels like a quintessential American tale – think rugged frontier life, two families locked in a bitter rivalry fueled by both hatred and secret affections, and a real fight over land and control. It’s all set against a backdrop of murder, revenge, and even a little forbidden love. But what I find most compelling is that, even with all that drama, the story seems to be digging into those timeless questions we always grapple with.

This story explores what truly defines a family, how to maintain goodness amidst hardship, and the lengths we’d go to protect those we love. It’s told through the compelling perspectives of Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson, who play two mothers who have lost their husbands and are fighting for survival – and it’s a truly captivating watch.

Why Kurt Sutter Left ‘The Abandons’ in 2024


Netflix

In October 2024, Kurt Sutter, the creator and showrunner, unexpectedly left the production with just three weeks of filming remaining. According to Deadline, Netflix wasn’t happy with early versions of the episodes, which led to Sutter’s sudden departure.

Netflix wasn’t satisfied with the initial cut of the first episode, which was over 100 minutes long and felt slow-paced with too many characters. They first tried to shorten it to an hour, but when that proved difficult, they decided to divide the episode into two parts.

The episode’s writer, Sutter, was frustrated when Netflix asked for changes, including reshoots of the beginning and end, and a cliffhanger in the middle. When Sutter left the show, only one episode of seven was left to finish, and another writer stepped in to create the scenes Netflix requested for its Western series.

Both Netflix and Kurt Sutter haven’t publicly explained his sudden departure from The Abandons, but it likely stemmed from disagreements about the show’s creative direction. Now that Sutter is gone, Otto Bathurst, the executive producer and director, will also act as showrunner, working with co-executive producer Rob Askins. This isn’t the first time Sutter has clashed over creative control; he was fired from FX’s Mayans M.C. in 2019 after reports of a difficult work environment. While there’s no suggestion of problems between Sutter and the actors on The Abandons, Netflix apparently wasn’t happy with the lengthy, slow-paced first episode, which ran over 100 minutes.

Who Else Stars in ‘The Abandons’?


Netflix

Alongside stars Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, The Abandons boasts a strong supporting cast. The four orphans taken in by Fiona are played by Diana Silvers (known for Ma and Booksmart), Nick Robinson (Love, Simon, A Teacher), Lamar Johnson (The Last of Us, Your Honor), and Natalia del Riego (Velma, NCIS: Los Angeles). Though their levels of commitment to Fiona vary, all of the adopted children ultimately remain loyal to the Nolan family.

Constance Van Ness receives support from her children: her ambitious son Garrett (played by Lucas Till, known from MacGyver and X-Men: Apocalypse), her daughter Trisha (played by Aisling Franciosi, who starred in The Nightingale and The Fall), and her oldest child, Willem (portrayed by Toby Hemingway from Hell on Wheels and The Crossing).

While their roles are less detailed, other notable actors in The Abandons include:

  • Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio) as Mayor Nibley,
  • Jack Doolan (White Gold) as Leslie Moran,
  • Michael Greyeyes (V Wars) as Jack Cree,
  • Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones) as Roache,
  • Michael Ornstein (Mayans M.C.) as Isaac Marstein,
  • Clayton Cardenas (Mayans M.C.) as Quentin Serra,
  • Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Little Bird) as Oma Serra,
  • Marc Menchaca (Ozark) as Sheriff Hayowrth,
  • Katelyn Wells (Ginny & Georgia) as Samara Alderton,
  • Catherine Gell (The Northlander) as Beatrice,
  • Sarah Grace White (Grey’s Anatomy) as Kiki,
  • Haig Sutherland (Lucky Hank) as Pastor Collier,
  • Hannah Forest Briand (Camping Trip) as Jenny,
  • Ryan Bruce (Essex County) as Claven

Viewers are hoping The Abandons lives up to the potential the show had with its original creator. We’ll all find out soon enough – all seven episodes will be available on Netflix starting December 4, 2025.

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2025-11-13 00:37