‘Game of Thrones’ Star Lena Heady Rides at Dawn Against Gillian Anderson in New Look at Netflix’s Western Drama ‘The Abandons’ [Exclusive]

The frontier is about to burn in Netflix’s ambitious new Western drama, The Abandons. We’re excited to include the gritty, much-anticipated new series as part of Collider’s Exclusive Preview event for winter television and film titles and share a new image that centers on Game of Thrones alum Lena Headey and her family of outcasts and orphans, who are just trying to make their way in the untamed Washington Territory in 1854. There’s a sense of danger in the still, as each of the five riders makes haste amid burning trees that light up the night. To make their way in this land yet untouched by justice, they’ll have to fight for their right to exist and prosper.

Headey’s Fiona Nolan is one of two matriarchs at the center of The Abandons, alongside Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson). Compared to Nolan’s found family, bound by love and necessity, Van Ness’s clan is one of wealth and privilege, bound by blood with a completely different definition of what constitutes family. Despite their differences, these two find their fates intertwined thanks to “two crimes, an awful secret, a star-crossed love,” and a piece of land rich with silver that each side lays claim to. The fires are her doing in an attempt to scare Fiona and her kin off the land they so desire. It’s a classic tale of haves and have-nots unfolding in a violent frontier where the rich and powerful are free to use any methods to extort without any fear of the law.

What makes Netflix’s latest western so complex is the many ties that bind and make the conflict all the more painful for both sides. The streamer nabbed the perfect creator to pen such a sprawling feud between families, too, with Sons of Anarchy mastermind Kurt Sutter creating and executive producing. He was also set to serve as showrunner, but he departed last year. Otto Bathurst, best known for directing 2018’s Robin Hood, oversaw the rest of the production alongside Robert Askins, and both also served as executive producers, alongside Chris Keyser, Stephen Surjik, Emmy Grinwis, and Jon Paré.

Who Will Ride With Headey and Anderson in ‘The Abandons’?

The Abandons is a bit of a return to Netflix for Headey after lending her voice to Evil-Lyn in the animated Masters of the Universe: Revelation and Revolution. Anderson, meanwhile, coming off Tron: Ares and known for The X-Files, will get another chance to embrace a bit of villainy opposite her. Filling out their families and the rest of the frontier is an extensive cast featuring Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, Lamar Johnson, Natalia del Riego, Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Toby Hemingway, Michael Greyeyes, Ryan Hurst, Katelyn Wells, Clayton Cardenas, Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Brían F. O’Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Patton Oswalt, Michael Ornstein, Jonathan Koensgen, Jack Doolan, Michiel Huisman, Haig Sutherland, and Sarah White.

The Abandons rides onto Netflix on December 4. Check out the new image above and stay tuned here at Collider throughout the week for more exclusive looks at the winter’s biggest upcoming titles.