The revival of the Western genre isn’t losing steam anytime soon, as evidenced by “The Abandons,” a new period drama premiering on Netflix later this year. Created and written by Kurt Sutter (“Sons of Anarchy,” “Mayans M.C.”), the series stars Gillian Anderson (“The Crown,” “Sex Education”) and Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”) as two women battling for power on the Western frontier. “The Abandons” is currently in postproduction, with an anticipated premiere date scheduled for sometime in 2025.
Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming series, including cast members, casting directors, and what to know if you’re hoping to land a role on “The Abandons” or similar projects.
JUMP TO
Per Tudum, “The Abandons” takes place in the Wild West of 1850s Oregon. The action-drama series tells the story of two determined matriarchs, Fiona (Headey) and Constance (Anderson), as they battle over ownership of the land. Fiona, an Irish woman who’s unable to have children of her own, adopts four orphans to create her family and build a life on the frontier. Constance inherited a mining fortune from her late husband and is eager to expand her influence out West.
“I am fascinated by the metamorphosis of good into evil,” Sutter said to Tudum about the project. “What must transpire to drive the morally sound to become the dangerously corrupt. ‘The Abandons’ explores those complex compromises through the most powerful human instinct—the love and protection of mothers.”
The main cast of Season 1 includes:
- Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan
- Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness
- Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness
- Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness
- Nick Robinson as Elias Teller
- Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller
- Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason
- Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle
Casting veterans Wendy O’Brien (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Abbott Elementary”) and Lisa Parasyn (“Outlander,” “Reign”) were the lead CDs for Season 1 of “The Abandons.” Denise Harkavy (“Batwoman”) served as supervising producer, with Sutter, Otto Bathurst, Emmy Grinwis, Jon Paré, and Stephen Surjik serving as executive producers. The drama was produced for Netflix by SutterInk, Sutter’s creative production company.
For those who are wondering how to land a gig with a casting director like O’Brien, check out what she had to say about finding new talent and why putting your own spin on a role can make your audition more memorable for the CD. “It may not be right for that role, but you get a sense of who that person is or what’s unique about them and it sets them apart from everyone else,” she told us.
As of now, there’s no word on whether “The Abandons” will be picked up for a second season. If it is, we’ll share those details as soon as we can. Until then, check out Backstage’s weekly casting call guides, where we spotlight the best acting jobs of the moment:
Our casting call directories are updated regularly with even more opportunities. Bookmark these pages for quick access:
Before you head to that audition or casting call, practice with these tips and tricks to keep your skills in top shape:
- How to Master Voice Projection
- The 10 Best Audition Monologues for Actors
- How to Act in a Period Piece