Netflix’s New Western Series ‘The Abandons’ Debuts With Divisive Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Every streaming service is searching for its next big hit like Yellowstone, and it seems they’ve potentially found one with this new Western drama. Initial reviews are in, and there are enough to give the show an overall rating.

Starring Gillian Anderson, known for The X-Files, and Lena Headey, famous for Game of Thrones, The Abandons tells the story of two powerful women, Constance Van Ness and Fiona Nolan, locked in a bitter rivalry for control of the Washington frontier in the 1850s. With such talented leads and a compelling premise of feuding families, many expected The Abandons to be a hit for Netflix. However, the series has surprisingly received mixed reactions from viewers.

So, I’ve been checking out the early buzz on The Abandons, and it’s…mixed, to say the least. Right now, it’s sitting at 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, which basically means people are really divided. Gavia Baker-Whitelaw from TV Guide gave it a 5.5/10, and their take was that Lena Headey and Milo Anderson could have really knocked it out of the park, but the script just didn’t give them much to work with. And Carly Lane over at Collider wasn’t impressed either, giving it a measly 4/10, especially considering how abruptly the original creator, Kurt Sutter, left the project. It sounds like things went downhill fast.

It’s natural to ask what direction The Abandons would have taken if its creator, Sutter, had stayed involved throughout the entire series. However, without his consistent guidance, the Netflix western struggles to build and maintain a compelling storyline.

It’s Not All Doom and Gloom for ‘The Abandons’


Netflix

Despite its flaws, The Abandons has earned some positive feedback. Katie Doll from CBR noted a “slight edge” that allows the story to develop, though she acknowledged some fundamental issues. Karina Adelgaard of Heaven of Horror particularly praised the performances of Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson, stating they make the show worthwhile. And Sara Clements of Next Best Picture has so far given the series its most favorable review.

Okay, so this show definitely delivers on all the Western tropes – you’ve got your shootouts, epic horseback riding, and honestly, the sets and costumes are just gorgeous. But what really got to me was how deeply it explored what actually makes a family, with a lot of heart but also a really honest, clear-eyed look at the messy stuff. It’s not just action, it’s surprisingly thoughtful.

In the 1850s, in the rough and tumble world of Washington, two families – one rich and influential, the other poor but incredibly devoted to each other – fiercely compete for control.

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2025-12-04 18:37