As a devoted fan of Kurt Sutter’s gripping storytelling and captivating character development, this recent turn of events with “The Abandons” has left me feeling like a gold miner who just struck it rich… only to find out that someone else has claimed the claim post-strike.
If you’re eagerly anticipating Kurt Sutter’s upcoming Netflix original Western drama, “The Abandons”, I regret to inform you that recent developments might not be what you hoped for. Surprisingly, Sutter has relinquished his role as executive producer and showrunner on the series just weeks before the first season was due to complete filming. This unexpected move has left many in disbelief!
The report from Deadline states that Sutter left the show The Abandons due to disagreements about the series’ creative direction. Specifically, it seems Netflix didn’t approve of a longer first episode (approximately 100 minutes) for the seven-episode series.
After finding a full-length pilot, the strategy going forward was to divide the initial episode into two separate episodes. This required crafting a new cliffhanger and extra scenes to ensure each episode could work independently. According to Deadline, these newly written scenes have been penned down but not yet filmed, leaving the first two episodes still incomplete.
Netflix’s The Abandons loses Kurt Sutter as showrunner
According to Deadline’s report, it is believed that Sutter left “The Abandons” following a discussion with Netflix about the incomplete edits of the split episodes. After the strike, it appears that both networks and streaming platforms are reducing their budgets. As a result, the Western drama has been reduced from 10 to 8 episodes, and there have also been reports that production costs exceeded the initial budget.
On either end of this situation, it’s disheartening to see the current state of TV shows on streaming platforms. Despite the fact that such disputes shouldn’t escalate to this degree, we require a balance of regulations to safeguard the quality and continuity of serialized storytelling in television, while at the same time giving creators ample room for artistic expression. Striking that balance is crucial.
Originally, fans eagerly anticipated watching Kurt Sutter’s new Netflix show, given his impressive work on series like “Sons of Anarchy” and “Mayans M.C.” However, although they will get to experience his creative input from his role as writer and showrunner for much of the first season of “The Abandons,” he is no longer involved in the project, so he won’t have control over the final version that gets released.
Otto Bathurst, serving as both an executive producer and director on the show, is now in charge for the rest of the production phase. With just a few weeks left until wrapping up filming, it’s unfortunate that creative disagreements occurred so close to the end. One can’t help but wonder if there was a chance to iron out these issues earlier on in the process.
This drama series, titled “The Abandons,” boasts an extensive cast led by Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson, Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, Lucas Till, among others. Set in 1850s Oregon, it follows various families as they embark on their Manifest Destiny and unite to confront the wealth and power that marginalized them. Expect a heart-racing narrative centered around themes of justice and survival.
Following Netflix’s revelation in May 2024 that filming was underway in Canada, Sutter shared his enthusiasm about narrating this tale and delivering it to Netflix. This sentiment was conveyed through a statement made to Tudum.
I am fascinated by the metamorphosis of good into evil. What must transpire to drive the morally sound to become the dangerously corrupt. The Abandons explores those complex compromises through the most powerful human instinct — the love and protection of mothers.
We’re eagerly waiting to find out more about the future of “The Abandons” series on Netflix, as they haven’t given any updates yet regarding its production status and further developments. Since filming is wrapping up and post-production might start towards the end of this year, things can still be altered. For now, it’s planned to air on Netflix sometime in 2025.
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2024-10-04 00:33