The second episode of Netflix’s Western drama The Abandons, titled “The Hunt,” arrived on December 4, 2025, and forced the show’s rival families into a tense and temporary alliance. The catalyst for this uneasy truce is a deadly bear attack that kills the town’s mayor, creating widespread panic in Jasper Hollow. This shared external threat brings Fiona Nolan’s found family and Constance Van Ness’s wealthy dynasty together for a dangerous mission, all while hidden secrets and personal conflicts continue to simmer just below the surface.
Here is a complete guide to the actors and the characters they portray in this pivotal installment of the series.
Fiona Nolan’s Found Family in Episode 2
At the heart of the episode is the makeshift family led by the fierce matriarch, Fiona Nolan. This group, bound by loyalty rather than blood, finds its unity tested as they navigate the bear hunt and its political fallout.
- Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan: In Episode 2, Fiona grapples with the heavy consequences of a killing meant to protect her daughter. As the moral center of her family, she works to shield Dahlia from guilt while maintaining their fragile standing in a town now gripped by fear. Headey is widely recognized for her iconic role as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones.
- Nick Robinson as Elias Teller: Fiona’s adopted son is caught between his duty to his family and his growing personal feelings. He joins the bear hunt alongside both his brother and his rival, Garret Van Ness, a situation that reignites old hostilities. Robinson is known for his leading role in the film Love, Simon and the Netflix limited series Maid.
- Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller: Burdened by the traumatic events of the first episode, Dahlia struggles with intense guilt. Even as Fiona tries to convince her the act was one of self-defense, Dahlia cannot easily shake the weight of her actions, which adds a layer of tension to her character in this episode. Silvers previously starred in the films Booksmart and Ma.
- Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason: The calm and grounded backbone of the family, Albert steps in to de-escalate conflicts, particularly the rising tension between Elias and Garret during the hunt. Johnson earned critical acclaim for his role as Henry in the first season of HBO’s The Last of Us.
The Van Ness Dynasty and Their Associates
On the other side of the feud is the powerful Van Ness family, whose mining interests and search for a missing member make them key players in the events of “The Hunt.”
- Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness: The formidable matriarch of the mining dynasty agrees to cooperate with the hunt, primarily because the town’s chaos threatens her business operations. While publicly supporting the effort, she is privately preoccupied with the disappearance of her eldest son and hires an outlaw to find him. Anderson is celebrated for her roles as Dana Scully in The X-Files and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Crown.
- Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness: With his older brother missing, Garret assumes more responsibility for the family. He takes a leading role in the bear hunt, which is funded by his mother, and his every interaction with the Nolan family is charged with suspicion and hostility. Till is best known for playing the mutant Havok in the X-Men film series and the title role in the MacGyver reboot.
- Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness: The softer, more compassionate Van Ness daughter continues her secret relationship with Elias Teller, a romance that would have deadly consequences if discovered by her family. Franciosi is known for her role as Lyanna Stark in Game of Thrones and her lead performance in the film The Nightingale.
- Michiel Huisman as Xavier Roache: Hired by Constance to find her missing son, Roache is an unpredictable outlaw who operates outside the law. His true motives are unclear, making him a volatile wild card in the town’s power struggles. Huisman played Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones and has starred in series like The Haunting of Hill House.
Key Town Figures and Guest Appearances
The episode also features several important townspeople whose actions directly influence the plot.
- Patton Oswalt as Mayor Victor Nibley: The episode begins with the violent death of Mayor Nibley, who is killed by a bear. This shocking event is what triggers the town-wide panic and sets the hunt in motion, forcing the two feuding families to work together.
- Timothy V. Murphy as Father Killian Duffy: The local priest visits Fiona and Dahlia, claiming he is being transferred away from Angel’s Ridge. Fiona later discovers this was a lie and that he has been paid off by Constance Van Ness to betray them, revealing another layer of corruption in Jasper Hollow.
- Ryan Hurst as Miles Alderton: One of the town’s elder settlers, Miles is a voice of caution who fears that Fiona’s defiance will bring ruin to everyone. He is a recurring ally to the Abandons, though he is haunted by secrets from his own past.
- Michael Greyeyes as Jack Cree: Portrayed as Constance’s trusted and stoic enforcer, Jack is accustomed to carrying out orders without question.
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