Now that we’re officially in cozy season with the colder weather, the biggest streaming services are naturally dropping more bingeable content because now is quite literally the perfect time for it. Netflix is arguably the best at delivering fresh new shows during this time of year, and today marks the release of “The Abandons,” a new western drama that looks perfect for “Yellowstone” fans.
“Yellowstone” might take place in the modern day, but its world has grown thanks to prequels like “1923” and “1883.” So with “The Abandons” arriving with its own share of brawls and messy family battles, there’s a good chance it could become the next big western to get hooked on, or at least keep you busy until Taylor Sheridan’s next project “Y: Marshals” lands next year.
With “The Abandons,” Netflix heads even deeper into the past. The new series, set in 1854, stars Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey as two opposing matriarchs leading families that couldn’t be more different. Now that it’s streaming on Netflix, I’m pretty confident it’ll ride its way to the No. 1 spot in the next few days. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
What is ‘The Abandons’ about?
Set in 1854 in Washington Territory, “The Abandons” centres on two very different families locked in a deadly struggle. On one side is Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey), a devout Irish-immigrant widow who cannot have children and has instead built a “found family” by adopting several orphans and outcasts.
They claim a ranch in the silver-rich region of Jasper Hollow as their home. On the other side is the wealthy, aristocratic Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson), head of a mining dynasty intent on expanding her power by any means necessary. Their clash over land and power pulls both families deeper into trouble, stirring up old grudges and a risky romance that threatens to make things even worse. Before long, they’re locked in a fight that consumes everything around them.
‘The Abandons’ reviews — what the critics are saying
Now that “The Abandons” is streaming on Netflix, reviews are starting to roll in. The show doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score at the time of writing, but there are already plenty of opinions online, and from what I’m seeing, they’re not all that positive.
Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter said: “While I’ll continue to insist that The Abandons' isn’t painful to watch (even when tragedy dictates it ought to be), neither the seven episodes nor the cliffhanger they culminate in are compelling enough to warrant investing further in a show that already feels cut to bits and has lost its driving creative force.”
The Independent’s Nick Hilton stated it “rapidly gets sucked into soap opera territory, where the dialogue is stilted and cliched and the characters are differentiated largely by circumstance, rather than personality. The supporting cast are terminally bland, yet neither Anderson nor Headey is afforded more than very blunt interiority.”
Carly Lane from Collider even said that Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey "deserve better than Netflix’s plodding western.”
However, there are some positive reviews as well, and it’s worth remembering that these are just opinions. How you feel about the series will depend on your taste in westerns and whether shows like “Yellowstone” appeal to you.
Ashley Hurst from What’s on Netflix said: “Unlike so many other westerns, this one we don’t feel like we’ve seen it all before. While power struggles are certainly a quintessential part of any western, this series tackles the theme from the perspective of motherly love. It tackles family drama first, blending it with political complexities. When the action hits, the stakes feel weightier, especially when the series reaches its culmination in the finale.”
Katie Palmer’s Express review even compared it to “Yellowstone”: “Where Yellowstone's downfall was leading with character-driven chaos rather than logical storytelling, The Abandons sets the right balance of violence with family drama.”
Absolute Geeks’ Josh. L even said the show “has something essential,” which is the “mythic momentum.” In their review, they stated, “Westerns aren’t about realism — they’re about the stories we tell ourselves about justice, survival, community, and power. And on that front, the show delivers.”
Should you stream ‘The Abandons’ on Netflix?
Whether you stream “The Abandons” depends on what you’re looking for in a western series. This one doesn’t focus heavily on character-driven storytelling and instead leans on a strong narrative with intense action sequences. While it may not be as in-depth as “Yellowstone,” it still has that gritty quality that makes it clear who to root for, and you’ll likely find yourself hooked anyway.
“The Abandons” isn’t exactly a memorable series, with its cheesy script and lack of real edge, but the strong cast and action are likely to appeal to genre fans. If it reaches No. 1 on Netflix (which I’m confident it will), there’s a good chance it could be renewed for a second season. Of course, if the feedback turns overwhelmingly negative, that cliffhanger may never get resolved.
Still, anyone seeking an easy binge-watch may enjoy “The Abandons,” especially since there are seven episodes available to stream right now. However, if you’re not feeling it, see our guide on the new Netflix shows and movies to watch this week.
Stream "The Abandons" on Netflix.
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