Netflix’s new Western drama The Abandons arrived with big expectations, especially with stars like Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson leading the cast. Set in the rugged American frontier of the 1850s, the series mixes family loyalty, greed, revenge, and survival — all wrapped in a gritty and visually stunning Western world. However, behind-the-scenes drama, mixed reviews, and uncertain viewership numbers have raised a big question:
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Will Netflix renew The Abandons for Season 2?
If you’re wondering whether the story will continue after that explosive cliffhanger, here’s everything you need to know.
Has Netflix Renewed The Abandons for Season 2?
As of now, Netflix has not renewed The Abandons for Season 2.
The current renewal status is uncertain, sitting at roughly 50/50, and here’s why:
1. The Behind-the-Scenes Drama
The series experienced major production issues before release.
Most notably:
- Creator Kurt Sutter left the show just weeks before filming ended.
- He reportedly disagreed with Netflix on episode structure, budget issues, and creative direction.
- After his departure, the show was completed by director Otto Bathurst and co-executive producer Rob Askins, with Sutter having zero input on the final cut.
Such backstage conflicts often hurt a show’s chances of renewal.
2. Mixed Audience and Critic Ratings
Following its December 4 release, reviews have been average to poor:
- Our review: 3.5/5 stars – praised acting, criticized pacing and character depth
- The Guardian: 3 stars
- CBR: 6/10
- The Independent: extremely negative, calling the show “inexcusable”
Harsh reviews usually make Netflix hesitant about renewing expensive projects.
3. Viewership Numbers Are Good, But Not Strong Enough
Even with mixed reviews, The Abandons entered the Top 10 global series list, but the numbers weren’t exceptional.
In Week 1, it gained:
- 37 million viewing hours
- 7.3 million completed views
- Rank #4 in Netflix’s English-language Top 10
However, when compared to similar titles, things look tricky.
Week 1 Viewership Comparison (Important for Renewal)
| Title | Completed Views | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| UNTAMED S1 | 24.6M | #1 |
| The Perfect Couple | 20.3M | #2 |
| Black Doves S1 | 10.8M | #3 |
| American Primeval | 10.4M | #4 |
| The Abandons S1 | 7.3M | #8 |
| Ransom Canyon | 7.2M | #9 |
| The Residence | 6.4M | #11 |
Shows with higher viewership and lower budgets like Ransom Canyon have been renewed, while big-budget projects near The Abandons’ numbers (The Waterfront, The Residence) were cancelled.
So the viewership alone doesn’t guarantee a Season 2.
4. Cast Comments Indicate No Future Plans Yet
In a recent interview, Gillian Anderson said:
“I don’t think there will be [season 2] until we know what the response is.”
This confirms that no creative work or planning has begun for another season.
What The Abandons Season 2 Could Explore (If Renewed)
(Spoilers Ahead)
Season 1 ends on a tense and fiery cliffhanger where Fiona and Constance face off inside the burning Van Ness estate. In the final moments, the camera shows a lone black silhouette standing in front of the flames — leaving viewers unsure who survived.
This ending opens up multiple possibilities for a potential Season 2.
1. Who Survived the Fire?
The biggest unanswered question:
Was it Fiona or Constance who walked out alive?
Season 2 would likely reveal the survivor and explore the consequences of their final battle.
2. Revenge, Power, and New Alliances
If Constance survives, she will almost certainly:
- rebuild her empire,
- seek revenge on Fiona’s family, and
- tighten her grip over the settlement.
If Fiona survives, she may:
- lead her family into hiding or open rebellion,
- confront new enemies in the region, and
- fight to protect her children and land.
3. Expansion of the Frontier World
Executive producer Christopher Keyser described Season 1 as “Chapter One” of a larger story. This indicates:
- more lands to explore,
- more outlaw groups,
- deeper conflicts between settlers, Native communities, and expanding businesses.
4. The Mystery of the West Could Grow Bigger
The show hints at political power, land ownership conflicts, and corruption. Season 2 could expand on:
- the growing influence of mining corporations
- the arrival of powerful new families
- hidden secrets of the Washington Territory
All these elements create a strong setup for another chapter—if Netflix approves it.
Why Netflix Might Still Renew The Series
Even though challenges exist, The Abandons still has strong points:
✔ Powerful cast (Lena Headey & Gillian Anderson)
Their fanbase drives global interest.
✔ Beautiful cinematography
The show’s visual appeal stands out among other Westerns.
✔ Strong potential for long-term storytelling
The world-building clearly hints at multiple seasons.
✔ High engagement despite mixed reviews
Social media buzz and cliffhanger debates show active viewer interest.
Sometimes Netflix renews shows not for early numbers, but for long-term potential.
⚠ Why Netflix Might Cancel The Series
On the flip side, several factors may hurt renewal chances:
- Very expensive production (period Westerns cost a lot)
- Mixed to negative reviews
- Creative conflict with the original creator
- Lower-than-required debut viewership
- No existing fanbase (unlike book or game adaptations)
Netflix tends to cancel shows that don’t perform exceptionally in the first 28 days.
So, What Is the Current Renewal Prediction?
Based on performance, criticism, and internal issues:
The Abandons Season 2 Renewal Probability: ~50%
It is neither confirmed nor highly likely — its future depends on:
- Second and third-week viewership numbers
- Social media engagement
- Budget vs. performance evaluation
- Internal interest from Netflix executives
If numbers rise in the coming weeks, Season 2 becomes much more possible.
When Could Season 2 Release (If Renewed)?
If Netflix renews The Abandons in early 2026, the likely timeline would be:
- Writing: 6–9 months
- Filming: 4–6 months
- Post-production: 6 months
Earliest Possible Release:
Late 2027 or early 2028
Western dramas require heavy production work, so fans shouldn’t expect a quick turnaround.
What The Abandons is All About — A Quick Recap
Set in the 1850s, The Abandons follows two strong matriarchs on opposite ends of society:
Fiona (Lena Headey)
- Owner of a struggling ranch
- Mother of four adopted children
- Fierce, loyal, protective
- Represents the working poor fighting for survival
Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson)
- Wealthy mining empire widow
- Manipulative, ambitious, powerful
- Sees the frontier as a land to conquer
The conflict between these two families erupts after a mysterious murder, leading to:
- betrayal
- alliances
- political corruption
- and a final showdown inside a burning mansion
Season 1 ends without answering who survives.
Final Thoughts: Will The Abandons Return?
Right now, The Abandons stands on unstable ground.
It has:
- strong characters
- beautiful production
- a gripping cliffhanger
- and passionate discussions online
However, it also faces:
- mixed reviews
- expensive production
- departure of its creator
- uncertain viewership numbers
Netflix may wait several more weeks before making a final decision.
If you are a fan of rugged frontier stories, powerful female leads, and intense drama, you probably want Season 2 as much as many others — but we’ll need to stay patient for an official update.
Would you like to see The Abandons return for Season 2?
Tell us your thoughts below!
