New Western Drama Not Named 'Yellowstone' Begins Filming

Season 1 of the upcoming Wild West series The Abandons has started filming in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  

The drama series was created by Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy, Mayans M.C.) and will have an all-star cast including Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) and Gillian Anderson (Sex Education, The Crown, The X-Files).

The show will tell the story of a group of very diverse renegade families in the 1850s living in Oregon.  They will find an alliance and band together to fight corrupt forces while doing anything they can to save their land.  

Just as Tombstone tested the lines between survival and law, so will The Abandons. Headey, who will play Fiona Nolan, and Anderson, depicting Constance Van Ness, characterize two mothers who are entwined in a bloody feud.

The storyline explores the consequences of violence, the divisive power of secrets and the battles within families to keep what they deem theirs.  

In an interview with Tudum, creator Sutter said, "I am fascinated by the metamorphosis of good into evil.  What must transpire to drive the morally sound to become the dangerously corrupt. The Abandons explores those complex compromises through the most powerful human instinct - the love and protection of mothers."

The series promises a blend of action, drama and the moral complexities characteristic of Sutter's storytelling.  Season one is expected to consist of ten hour-long episodes.  The exact release date has yet to be announced by Netflix.

Sutter has reported that his inspiration was drawn from various historical and cultural sources including the origins of La Casa Nostra and classic Western TV shows like "Bonanza".

Given Sutter's past of successful and must-watch dramas, there is no question fans will be drawn to his dramatic style of storytelling and complex characters.  

Keep an eye on Netflix for its release and further updates.