Gillian Anderson Saddles Up in a Dark Western Drama

If you adored Gillian Anderson’s icy turn as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown, brace yourself — she’s about to channel that same steel in a brand-new Netflix drama. The Abandons, a sweeping Western saga arriving this December, has been described by Netflix as “pulse-pounding” and critics are already calling it a must-watch for fans of Yellowstone.

Anderson stars opposite Game of Thrones legend Lena Headey in a story of rival clans, buried secrets, and land soaked in blood and silver. Two widowed matriarchs, locked in a brutal fight for survival, set the stage for one of Netflix’s most ambitious dramas yet.

What Is The Abandons About?

The series whisks viewers back to 1854, deep in the Washington Territory of the American Northwest. There, two families — one rich, one forged from orphans and outcasts — collide in a land war that spirals into murder, revenge, and forbidden romance.

• Constance Van Ness (Anderson) is a wealthy widow with ruthless ambitions to control the town.

• Fiona Nolan (Headey) leads her makeshift family of strays and underdogs, struggling to carve out their own place.

According to Netflix, the families are bound by “two crimes, an awful secret, a star-crossed love, and a piece of land with silver underneath.”

Executive producer Chris Keyser calls it a “classic American story” of families at war, asking timeless questions: What makes a family? How do you stay good in a bad world? And what would you sacrifice to protect what you love?

The Cast: A Powerhouse Line-Up

Alongside Anderson and Headey, The Abandons features a stacked ensemble:

• Nick Robinson as Elias Teller

• Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness

• Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller

• Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason

• Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness

• Michael Greyeyes, Ryan Hurst, Natalia del Riego, Clayton Cardenas, Marc Menchaca, Patton Oswalt, Michiel Huisman, and more.

This wide-ranging cast ensures that the story of The Abandons isn’t just a duel between two women, but a sprawling community saga filled with tension, betrayal, and shifting loyalties.

When and Where to Watch

The wait isn’t long. The Abandons will premiere globally on Netflix on Thursday, December 4, 2025 — just in time for a winter binge.

Why It’s Perfect for Yellowstone Fans

Like Yellowstone, The Abandons thrives on land disputes, family honor, and the dark choices people make to survive. But its 19th-century frontier setting adds a harsher edge — a lawless landscape where survival comes at an even greater cost. And with Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey as dueling matriarchs, fans can expect powerhouse performances with as much venom as vulnerability.

Final Word

The Abandons promises murder, revenge, and matriarchal power struggles in a lawless land. With Gillian Anderson as icy Constance Van Ness and Lena Headey as fiery Fiona Nolan, Netflix may have just found its answer to Yellowstone — with a historical twist.