The new Netflix series The Abandons plunges viewers into the lawless frontier of 1854. While the story unfolds in the fictional town of Angel’s Ridge within the Washington Territory, the epic landscapes and gritty town scenes were created far from the American West. The show was filmed entirely in Alberta, Canada, using its sweeping plains and dramatic mountains to bring this story of family, land, and conflict to life.
The seven-episode drama, which started streaming on December 4, 2025, stars Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson as two powerful matriarchs locked in a battle over silver-rich land. Behind the performances is a setting that acts as a vital character itself, crafted from specific, historic locations across Southern Alberta.
Where The Abandons Was Filmed: Alberta’s Stand-In for the American Frontier
Despite being set in the Washington Territory of 1854, The Abandons was filmed entirely in the Canadian province of Alberta. Principal photography took place between May and October 2024, centered around the city of Calgary.
Southern Alberta is a popular region for film productions, especially Westerns, due to its expansive, untouched landscapes. The area features open plains, long dirt roads, and existing historic town sets that require minimal digital alteration to convincingly portray the 19th-century American frontier. The production also filmed in surrounding areas, including locations near Stoney Nakoda and Kananaskis Country. Local residents reported hearing loud noises, including simulated explosions, during the shoot.
A Guide to Key Filming Locations
The production utilized several distinct areas around Alberta to create the world of The Abandons, from the main town to remote wilderness spots.
The CL Ranch: The Fictional Town of Angel’s Ridge
The central hub of the series, the fictional town of Angel’s Ridge, was brought to life at the CL Ranch. This location is roughly a 35 to 40-minute drive from downtown Calgary and is well-known to filmmakers. The ranch includes a ready-built Western town set and has been used for other series like Fargo and Tin Star. To enhance the backdrop, the production used visual effects to add the towering Rocky Mountains behind the town.
Nakoda Lakeside Lodge: Home of the “Abandons” Family
The rugged homestead belonging to Lena Headey’s character, Fiona Nolan, and her adopted family is located in the Nakoda Lakeside Lodge area. This site is on the shores of the Bow River within a First Nation reserve and provided the scenic, river-side setting for the family’s ranch. Netflix’s official filming location site notes that this lodge, closed for over a decade, is being revitalized and served as a key location in the show’s first episode.
Stoney Park Campground: The Van Ness Estate
In contrast to the modest Abandons ranch, the wealthy Van Ness family estate was filmed at the Stoney Park Campground in Mînî Thnî. This campground served as the main location for the Van Ness homestead throughout the series. Reports indicate that while a section of the porch was a real set, the grand house itself is primarily a digital creation.
Dramatic Natural Backdrops: Rivers and Badlands
For action sequences and sweeping vistas, the crew traveled to some of Alberta’s most iconic natural landmarks. Scenes involving rivers were shot on the Bow River near Banff, a popular area for outdoor sports. One of the most visually striking locations used was the Drumheller Badlands and Horsethief Canyon. The area’s uniquely colored, banded slopes formed by ancient river erosion were used for a major horse chase scene in the third episode.
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The Story Behind the Scenery
The setting is more than just a backdrop in The Abandons; it’s the core of the conflict. The series follows Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey), a devout Irish woman who builds a chosen family by adopting four orphans on land she believes is her divine right. Her peace is shattered by Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson), the iron-willed matriarch of a wealthy local dynasty who is determined to mine the silver buried beneath Fiona’s land.
Creator Kurt Sutter, known for Sons of Anarchy, has described the show as an exploration of “the metamorphosis of good into evil,” driven by the powerful instinct of mothers to protect their families. The production itself faced a notable shift when Sutter departed the project with a few weeks of filming remaining in October 2024. Executive producers Otto Bathurst and Rob Askins oversaw the completion of the shoot.
The Ensemble Cast Bringing the Conflict to Life
The series features a large ensemble cast led by Headey and Anderson. Lena Headey’s Fiona Nolan is portrayed as a fierce yet pious protector, a stark contrast to her famous role as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones. Gillian Anderson’s Constance Van Ness is a calculating widow trying to secure her family’s fortune and status.
Their families are filled with familiar faces. Fiona’s adopted “Orphans” include Nick Robinson as Elias Teller, Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller, Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason, and Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle. The Van Ness children are played by Lucas Till as Garret, Aisling Franciosi as Trisha, and Toby Hemingway as Willem. The cast also includes notable recurring players like Patton Oswalt as the town mayor, Ryan Hurst as a neighboring settler, and Michiel Huisman as a dangerous outlaw.
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