When Netflix released The Abandons on December 4, starring A-list stars Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, many viewers tuned in hoping for a gritty, classic-style Western.
However, according to many reviewers this was far from the reality thanks to bad dialogue and overuse of CGI… with Netflix producing the show you would think they could afford to have real cows on set!
The Abandons, which saw Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter quite literally abandon the series in late production due to creative differences, is set in the fictional town of Jasper Hollow. The show depicts mining tycoon Constance Van Ness’ (Gillian Anderson) battle with Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey) over the future of their town… and it gets ugly.
Aside from the leading ladies, many other Hollywood stars appear in the seven-episode series- including a few familiar faces from Game of Thrones. Before you round up the posse to watch the show, let’s take a look at who’s who in Netflix’s The Abandons.
Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness
European arisocrat Constance Van Ness is the head of her powerful family that rule over the small town of Jasper Hollow in Oregon. Gillian plays Constance with theatrical levels of iciness, which many critics felt was a bit over the top.
Constance represents the powerful elite trying to squeeze out Fiona Nolan’s ragtag crew, and her unpredictability means that when she is on screen you are definitley going to be on the edge of your seat!
Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan
Best known for her icy brilliance as Cersei Lannister, Lena pivots into a completely different kind of power here. Fiona is a widowed Irish mother whose determination to protect her children pulls her into a dangerous rebellion.
Lena plays her not as a classic gunslinger, but as a woman hardened by grief and poverty, more a quiet burning of fury whose leadership grows out of necessity, not desire.
Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness
If Lucas Till’s face looks familiar, you could be recognising him from back in the day when he played Miley Cyrus’ love interest in Hannah Montana: The Movie… throwback! And although he is still riding horses in this role, the characters have no similarities.
Garrett is the youngest son of Constance (Gillian Anderson) who is thrust into the role of family protector after his older brother Willem goes missing. As majority of his clan do, Garrett treats the orphans in Fiona (Lena Headey)’s camp with huge disdain.
Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason
Lamar Johnson, best known for his role in The Last of Us, appears as the educated Black man, Albert Mason in The Abandons who was born free in Philadelphia before being “adopted” into Fiona’s family.
Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness
Aisling Franciosi is an Irish actress who, like Lena, has also appeared on Game of Thrones! The 32-year-old actress plays the soft-natured, piano playing daughter of Constance, Trisha Van Ness.
Despite being quiet around her family, Trisha begins a secret romance with Elias, one of Fiona’s orphan sons… it’s always the ones you least expect!
Nick Robinson as Elias Teller
Nick Robinson, who plays Elias Teller in the series, is no stranger to popular TV shows and has also starred in A Teacher and Maid.
In The Abandons, Elias is one of the four orphans taken in by Fiona, along with his sister Dahlia. Elias is one of Fiona’s most trusted people in her life, a fact that becomes complicated due to his relationship with Trisha.
Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller
Diana Silvers, who began her career on the Hulu series Into the Dark, plays the orphan sister of Elias who is also graciously taken in by Fiona.
It is Dahlia’s violent assault at the hands of Willem Van Ness in the first episode of the series that ignites an even deeper hatred between the two families.
Toby Hemingway as Willem Van Ness
Toby Hemingway plays one of Constance’s obnoxious and entitled sons, Willem, who goes missing after visciously assaulting Dahlia.
The actor will be a familiar face to many thansk to his roles in The Covenant, The Black Swan, and In Time.
Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle
Natalia del Riego, who is best known for her appearance in the family drama, Promised Land, plays Lilla Belle in The Abandons.
Lilla Belle is one of Fiona’s adopted children, originally of Indigenous descent.
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