Netflix's highly anticipated Western drama, The Abandons, has finally arrived on the streaming platform, bringing with it a star-studded cast and sweeping frontier landscapes. The series, which draws favourable comparisons to Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe, is already garnering critical acclaim. For viewers captivated by its epic scenery, the question arises: where was this tale of land, family, and conflict brought to life?
Stunning Backdrops for a Frontier Conflict
The seven-part series is set in the Old West of the 1850s and centres on a fierce battle for land. Lena Headey portrays Fiona Nolan, an Irish matriarch determined to protect her newly acquired Oregon homestead. Her adversary is Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness, a formidable figure from European nobility equally resolved to seize the property for herself. This clash of wills unfolds against a visually spectacular backdrop that is integral to the story's atmosphere.
Production for The Abandons commenced in spring 2024, following a delay of approximately one year caused by industry-wide union strikes. The search for the perfect locations to represent the untamed American frontier led the production north of the border, to the rugged and cinematic province of Alberta, Canada.
Primary Filming Hub: Calgary and Beyond
The primary base for filming was Calgary, Alberta. As the largest city in the province, it offers extensive production infrastructure. More importantly, the expansive plains just outside the city limits were expertly transformed into the 1850s frontier town central to the series' narrative. This area's open landscapes and historic feel make it a perennial favourite for Western productions.
Additional key shooting spots included the dramatic territories of Stoney Nakoda and Kananaskis Country. Southern Alberta, with its vast prairies, long dirt roads, and preserved historic towns, has long served as a stand-in for the American West in countless films and television series, earning it the nickname "Hollywood North."
The Historical Setting: Washington Territory
While filmed in Canada, the story of The Abandons is firmly rooted in American history. The narrative takes place in what was historically known as the Washington Territory. This organised territory existed from 1853 until 1889, when it achieved statehood. The story is set near its border with Oregon.
At its greatest extent, the Washington Territory's borders were fluid and encompassed parts of present-day Montana and Wyoming, as well as the entire state of Idaho. This vast, lawless region provides the perfect geopolitical tension for a story about land ownership and survival.
Executive producer Christopher Keyser set the scene for Tudum, describing the series as "a classic American story - the frontier, two families both at war and in love with each other, [and] a battle over who owns the land and who makes the rules." He added that it explores profound questions about family, morality, and sacrifice, all seen "through the eyes of Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson, as two widowed matriarchs battling to survive."
The combination of this compelling narrative, powerhouse performances, and the authentically rugged Canadian scenery makes The Abandons a must-watch for fans of epic Western dramas. All seven episodes are available to stream now on Netflix.
