‘The Abandons’ cast guide: Netflix’s wild Western stars Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson and more

Netflix‘s new Western series pits some of the biggest television stars of our time against each other in a bloody battle for territory.

Set in Washington territory in 1854, The Abandons stars Lena Headey, of Game of Thrones fame, and The X Files star Gillian Anderson as two matriarchs locked in a contentious battle after two crimes link their families together.

Executive producer Christopher Keyser calls The Abandons a “classic American story” that brings “murder and revenge and a bit of illicit romance.” What more could you need?

“We get to explore questions we never seem to get away from,” Keyser told Netflix’s Tudum. “What makes a family? How do you stay good in a bad world? And would you change who you are and what you believe in to protect what you love? But in this case, we do it all through the eyes of Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson, as two widowed matriarchs battling to survive. And that … is really something to watch.”

Headey and Anderson are backed by a stellar, star-studded cast full of faces you may recognize. Here is everything you need to know about The Abandons cast.

1. Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan

   Headey stars as Fiona Nolan, a woman who is fiercely protective of her chosen family of orphans and outcasts, known as the Abandons. Nolan proves to be a brutal opponent for Anderson’s Constance Van Ness, who is trying to take over the cattle ranch Nolan built on silver-rich land for her mining dynasty.

   “Fiona stands up for people for whom no one else would take a stand,” Keyser said of her character. “She’s created a family out of nothing and taking care of people who needed to be taken care of. She’s defending her right to something that she actually owns.”

2. Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness

   Anderson stars as Constance Van Ness, the head of a mining dynasty hoping to stake her claim on Jasper Hollow and consolidate her family’s power on the frontier. But with Fiona in her way, Constance will have to take matters into her own hands to wrench the property from Fiona.

   Keyser pointed out that, despite Constance’s questionably moral character, she “has a pretty strong argument that the good of the whole of the community requires some compromise over the land that the Abandons sit on.”

3. Nick Robinson as Elias Teller

   Elias Teller was adopted into the Abandons with his sister, Dahlia Teller, when they were children. But growing up under Fiona’s thumb has left Elias hungry for more, especially when he begins developing feelings for Constance’s daughter, Trisha Van Ness.

4. Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller

   Dahlia just as fiercely loyal and protective of her family as Fiona is. Angered by the Van Ness clan’s ruthless grabs for her family’s land, Dahlia is forced to grow up and fight for the Abandons like never before.

   “On the one hand, it’s the story of growing up and coming into one’s own and finding one’s power, and the ability to protect oneself,” Keyser told Netflix’s Tudum about Dahlia. “And at the same time coldness, and that can only come from understanding truly what cards you might be dealt in life.”

5. Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason

   The Last of Us star Lamar Johnson appears as Albert Mason, a level-headed member of the Abandons who offers some much-needed guidance to his siblings when necessary.

6. Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle

   Described as “unwaveringly determined and fiercely loyal,” Lilla Belle is a mysterious member of the Abandons who will stop at nothing to protect her family – even if it means leaping head-first into a brawl.

7. Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness

   Lucas Till stars as Garret Van Ness, Constance’s heir and the next in line to take over the Van Ness’ dynasty. Garret is desperate for his mother’s approval and attempts to prove he is capable of taking over the helm. But his mother’s refusal to keep him in the loop makes things even more difficult.

8. Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness

   Trisha Van Ness finds herself torn between the two powerful dynasties as she begins developing feelings for Elias, opening her up to be more sympathetic to the Abandons’ cause despite her mother and brothers’ ambitious grab for Jasper Hollow.