Cancelled in 50 Days: Why Netflix Pulled the Plug on 'The Abandons'

Streaming giant Netflix kicked off 2026 with a swift and surprising cancellation decision.

The platform shelved its western drama The Abandons just 50 days after its release, despite launching the show with high expectations and a star-studded cast.

Star Power Couldn’t Save the Show

Starring Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, the series explored a power struggle between two rival families—one wealthy, one impoverished—set in a lawless American frontier during the 1850s. The strong cast also included Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, Aisling Franciosi, and Lucas Till.

While the premise and cast initially generated buzz, the show failed to build sustained momentum with broader audiences.

Strong Viewing Hours, Weak Reception

Interestingly, The Abandons did not suffer from extremely low viewership. In its first month alone, the series accumulated around 100 million viewing hours and attracted roughly 20 million viewers. However, these figures were not enough to secure its future.

Critical and audience reception played a decisive role. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show received a 30% critic score and a 51% audience score. Reviews frequently cited underdeveloped characters, a lack of originality, and a slow narrative pace as key weaknesses.

Behind-the-Scenes Challenges

The project also faced production turbulence. Creator Kurt Sutter departed the series just weeks before filming concluded, reportedly due to creative differences. Industry reports suggested that Netflix had concerns about the pacing and length of the first episode’s initial cut.

Following Sutter’s exit, directors Otto Bathurst and Rob Askins stepped in to lead the project. Despite these changes, the series struggled to find its footing.

A Short-Lived Run

Ultimately, Netflix chose to cancel The Abandons before any long-term continuation plans could materialize. Despite achieving 100 million hours of viewing, the series was unable to secure a place among the platform’s long-running successes.

The decision highlights how streaming platforms increasingly weigh critical reception and audience engagement alongside raw viewing numbers when determining a show’s future.