A new Western saga has arrived on Netflix, and it brings together a powerhouse cast led by two iconic actresses. The Abandons, which began streaming on December 4, 2025, is the creation of Kurt Sutter, the mind behind Sons of Anarchy . The show is set in the harsh frontier of the 1850s Washington Territory and centers on a brutal clash over land, family, and power . While Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson lead the fight as rival matriarchs, the series is filled with compelling characters who flesh out the dangerous town of Angel’s Ridge. One of them is Madame Giselle, the shrewd operator of the local brothel, played by veteran actress Katey Sagal .
Who Is Madame Giselle in The Abandons?
In the gritty world of The Abandons, Madame Giselle runs the brothel in Angel’s Ridge . Her character represents a classic figure in Western storytelling—the businesswoman operating in the shadows of a lawless society. While the main conflict rages between Fiona Nolan’s found family and Constance Van Ness’s wealthy mining dynasty, Giselle’s establishment serves as a social hub and a reminder of the diverse, often desperate, people trying to survive on the frontier .
Her role, though smaller than the two female leads, adds crucial texture to the town. It shows that life in Angel’s Ridge isn’t just about ranchers and miners; it includes everyone society has cast aside . Katey Sagal’s performance brings a lived-in realism to the part, continuing her long creative partnership with series creator Kurt Sutter .
Katey Sagal’s Career and Notable Roles
Katey Sagal’s portrayal of Madame Giselle is the latest in a long and varied career that has made her a familiar face across generations of TV viewers. Her breakthrough came with the iconic role of Peggy Bundy on the hit Fox sitcom Married… with Children . For 11 seasons, her funny and over-the-top performance helped define the show and cemented her place in pop culture.
Following that success, Sagal seamlessly transitioned into voice acting, most notably as the one-eyed spaceship captain Turanga Leela on the beloved animated series Futurama* . She returned to this role for the show’s 2022 revival on Hulu .
However, it was her dramatic turn as Gemma Teller Morrow on Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy that showcased her powerful range. Her intense and complex performance as the matriarch of a motorcycle club earned critical acclaim and demonstrated her ability to lead a serious drama .
In recent years, Sagal has continued to appear in a wide array of TV shows. She had a recurring role on The Conners as Louise, John Goodman’s love interest, and has made guest appearances on series like Shameless and Dead to Me . She also starred in the 2021 ABC drama Rebel .
The Star-Studded Cast of The Abandons
The Abandons features an ensemble cast, with Sagal’s Madame Giselle appearing alongside a large group of established and rising stars. The story is driven by the conflict between two formidable women.
Lena Headey plays Fiona Nolan, a devout Irish woman who has built a “found family” by adopting four orphans and fights to protect her land and children . Headey is globally recognized for her role as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones .
Gillian Anderson plays her rival, Constance Van Ness, the wealthy widow who leads a powerful mining family and seeks to expand her fortune by acquiring Fiona’s land . Anderson is famous for playing FBI Agent Dana Scully on The X-Files .
The supporting cast includes several notable names:
- Nick Robinson and Diana Silvers play Elias and Dahlia Teller, siblings who are part of Fiona’s adopted family .
- Lucas Till plays Garret Van Ness, Constance’s son and heir .
- Aisling Franciosi plays Trisha Van Ness, Constance’s daughter who forms a secret connection with Elias .
- Michiel Huisman plays Roache, an outlaw with shifting loyalties hired by Constance .
What is The Abandons About?
The series is a classic Western tale of rebellion and survival. The story follows Fiona Nolan, who has created a home for outcasts and orphans on a coveted piece of land . This puts her on a direct collision course with Constance Van Ness and her affluent family, who want to claim the territory for their mining empire .
The show explores themes of land rights, family loyalty, and the brutal struggle for power on the American frontier . Kurt Sutter described it as “a classic American story” involving “two families both at war and in love with each other, [and] a battle over who owns the land and who makes the rules” .
The Abandons premiered its first season, consisting of seven episodes, on Netflix on December 4, 2025 . All episodes are available to stream globally on the platform.
The show does not make a brothel madam the main character. Still, the series does include a supporting character named Madame Giselle. She runs a brothel and plays a small but noticeable part in frontier life. Katey Sagal plays the role.
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