“The Abandons” Explores Brutal Maternal Instincts in the American west
A new Netflix series, The Abandons, created by Kurt Sutter, delves into the ruthless lengths to which mothers will go to protect their families amidst the violent backdrop of the late 19th-century American West.Inspired by the ancient roots of the mafia – Sutter describes it as stemming from “the marginalization of Sicilian peasant families by landowners and the aristocracy” – the show portrays a landscape where survival demands a fierce, often unforgiving, maternal spirit.
The series centers on Fiona Nolan, portrayed by Lena Headey, an Irish immigrant and adoptive mother of four children, battling to defend her land and family. Opposite her stands Constance Van Ness, played by Gillian Anderson, a New York aristocrat involved in exploiting silver deposits and dispossessing local farmers.Their conflict unfolds in a territory not yet fully established as a state, where the indigenous Cayuse people continue to resist forced displacement, quickly escalating into bloodshed. the Abandons presents a stark depiction of motherhood stripped bare, showcasing the brutal realities faced by women striving for autonomy and security in a lawless era.
