The Abandons: How Netflix is Rivaling Taylor Sheridan in Western TV

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Netflix’s new series, The Abandons, suggests the streaming service is now producing Westerns that are as good as, or even better than, those by Taylor Sheridan. While Yellowstone was fantastic, many viewers felt the show declined in quality after Kevin Costner’s character, John Dutton, left the series.

With the conclusion of Yellowstone in December 2024, viewers are eager to find a new Western show to love. While Taylor Sheridan is well-known in the genre, Netflix’s latest series proves he now faces strong competition.

The Abandons Proves Why Netflix Has Become Taylor Sheridan’s Rival For Western Shows

Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Netflix’s new show, The Abandons, is shaping up to be a major hit, potentially rivaling Taylor Sheridan‘s popular Westerns. The short trailer already showcases powerful acting from Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson. If you enjoy Westerns and the gritty drama of Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy, this series is likely to be right up your alley.

This series centers on Fiona Nolan (Headey) and her deep longing to become a mother, as well as the heartache she experiences due to infertility, leading her to consider raising orphaned children. Similar to compelling Western dramas, the story focuses on intense emotions and a struggle for territory – in this case, Constance Van Ness (Anderson) and Fiona battling over Fiona’s land.

Westerns with female leads are always interesting, and The Abandons is similar to hits like Wynonna Earp and The English. These shows all showcase strong, capable women who are just as skilled and resilient as the traditional cowboys and lawmen we often see in Westerns.

This is significant because it lets the genre develop beyond typical action and simple hero-versus-villain stories, allowing for more complex narratives focusing on things like the search for personal fulfillment and the challenges and joys of being a mother.

The recently released trailer suggests The Abandon has the potential to be a big hit, possibly even matching the success of Yellowstone and lasting for multiple seasons. All ten episodes of the first season will be available on Netflix starting December 4th, 2025 – just enough time to become fully engaged with the stories of Constance and Fiona.

Netflix Continues To Release Worthwhile Western Shows For Fans Of Yellowstone

If you enjoyed the show Yellowstone and its focus on ranch life, you’ll probably be happy to know that Netflix now offers a lot of Western series. They released a new one called American Primeval in April 2025, starring Taylor Kitsch. The series is about the Utah War and follows a mother’s dangerous journey to protect her son as they travel across the frontier.

Despite being released as a limited series, a second season of American Primeval is a possibility due to the strong viewership of its first episodes.

The show Ransom Canyon premiered on Netflix in April 2025. It’s a Western with a romantic side, focusing on a land dispute between three families, but also exploring their personal lives. If you enjoyed the complex family relationships in Yellowstone, you’ll likely love this show.

Following the release of The Abandons, let’s hope Netflix continues to produce Westerns with the compelling family drama, fierce rivalries, and exciting action that fans love in shows like Yellowstone and other popular titles.

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2025-11-06 23:50