# The Abandons

The Abandons is an upcoming American Western action drama television series created by Kurt Sutter for Netflix. Set in the 1850s, the series centers on the conflicts of several outlaw groups during the Old west period.

## Premise

In 1850s, Fiona Nolan, a devout Irish woman who is incapable of conceiving a child, tries to build a family by adopting four orphans believing in higher purpose of her acts. She soon finds herself struggling against European aristocrats claiming possession of her recently acquired home in Oregon.

## Cast
### Main

* Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan
* Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness
* Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness
* Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness
* Nick Robinson as Elias Teller
* Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller
* Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason
* Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle

### Recurring

* Clayton Cardenas
* Patton Oswalt
* Brían F. O'Byrne
* Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
* Michael Ornstein
* Jack Doolan
* Marc Menchaca
* Sarah Grace White
* Katelyn Wells
* Haig Sutherland
* Jonathan Koensgen
* Ryan Hurst
* Michael Greyeyes
* Michiel Huisman
* Toby Hemingway

## Production
### Conception

The idea of The Abandons was conceived by Kurt Sutter some time before the creation of Sons of Anarchy. The settings of the series was inspired around the origins of the American Mafia.

### Development

On October 13, 2022, Netflix ordered The Abandons for ten one-hour episodes. Kurt Sutter, the creator of the show, also served as the showrunner and executive producer through his production banner, SutterInk. Alongside Sutter, Emmy Grinwis, Stephen Surjik, and Otto Bathurst were appointed as executive producers during an announcement on March 27, 2023. Bathurst and Surjik also served as series directors with the former directing its first episode. The following year on March 1, 2024, Jon Paré joined the production as series executive producer.

### Casting

On March 27, 2023, Lena Headey was unveiled as the leading character of the series. On June 28, 2023, Gillian Anderson was announced as a part of main cast. Lucas Till, Nick Robinson, Lamar Johnson, Diana Silvers, Aisling Franciosi, and Natalia del Riego were revealed to have joined the main cast on March 1, 2024. Three days later, Clayton Cardenas, long-time collaborator of Sutter, was revealed as a part of the recurring cast. More cast were announced about two weeks later with Patton Oswalt, Sarah Grace White, Michael Ornstein, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Brían F. O'Byrne, Haig Sutherland, Jack Doolan, Jonathan Koensgen, Katelyn Wells, and Marc Menchaca all joining in recurring capacities. Additional casting were announced on April 4, 2024 with Ryan Hurst, Michael Greyeyes, Michiel Huisman, and Toby Hemingway joining the series in recurring roles.

### Filming

Series filming began in Spring 2024, with Calgary, Alberta as one of its shooting locations. It was revealed on August 9, 2023 that the principal photography were delayed by a year due to ongoing union strikes at that time.
In October, Sutter left the show with a few weeks of shooting left. Sources said Sutter's departure came after Netflix saw rough cuts of the series' first episodes. The premiere was nearly feature-film length and was eventually split into two episodes, which necessitated additional scenes. Executive producer and director Otto Bathurst and co-EP Rob Askins were set to oversee the remainder of the shoot. Sutter and Netflix declined to comment. Gillian Anderson confirmed the end of filming at the end of October.