‘The Abandons’ Is Netflix’s ‘Yellowstone’ Replacement as a Global Streaming Hit

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The streaming service has been trying to capitalize on the popularity of neo-Westerns, like Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, and their newest show in this genre is proving successful. It recently reached number two on the platform’s global charts. The series features a surprising combination of actors, including a well-known villain from Game of Thrones and a former sex therapist and alien skeptic from Netflix.

The Abandons is a 19th Century-set series that stars and , and was created by Kurt Sutter, best known as the mind behind The Shield and Sons of Anarchy. The full synopsis for the series reads:

In 1854 Washington Territory, the lives of the leaders of two contrasting families become intertwined. One family is established and wealthy, connected by lineage, while the other is a close-knit group of orphans and outsiders united by hardship and affection. Their destinies collide due to two crimes, a hidden secret, a forbidden romance, and a valuable piece of land containing silver. This clash mirrors the broader American conflict between the rich and the poor, all unfolding in a remote area where the law struggles to reach.

The series is off to a good start, ranking second globally behind Stranger Things and third in the U.S. However, strong initial viewership isn’t everything. Streaming services want viewers to keep coming back for more, so a second season isn’t automatic even with high numbers.

Will ‘The Abandons’ Be Renewed for Season 2?

While The Abandons tries to capture the popularity of Western dramas like Yellowstone and Ransom Canyon, it unfortunately feels like a lower-budget copycat. Despite featuring talented actors like Lena Headey and Dermot Anderson, it missed the peak of the genre’s recent surge and doesn’t quite stand on its own.

Critics haven’t been kind to the show, giving it a score of only 24% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience reactions are also mixed, with a 44% approval rating. This puts it behind other Netflix series – like Territory (which was canceled after one season) and Ransom Canyon (renewed for a second season). Ultimately, the show feels like it arrived too late and doesn’t offer anything new or unique compared to what’s already out there.

Reviewers have largely criticized the show, citing poor dialogue, overused tropes, and a feeling that it’s simply trying to capitalize on a trend that’s losing popularity. Despite decent viewership numbers, audience reactions haven’t been much better. One lifelong Western fan called it the worst show ever, while others described it as completely lacking redeeming qualities. A common complaint was that the premise – a story about female cowboys – felt unoriginal and the characters weren’t well-developed.

Netflix might decide to renew The Abandons for a second season if it continues to attract new viewers in the next few weeks. However, if it does get renewed, the next season will need to be significantly better and more engaging than the first.

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2025-12-08 01:22