The creator of Sons of Anarchy, Kurt Sutter, has made a sudden exit from his new Netflix series just weeks before the conclusion of filming. The upcoming Western series, titled The Abandons, starring Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, began filming in May in Alberta, Canada, and was expected to wrap up in mid-October. However, according to Variety, creative disagreements with Netflix led to Sutter’s departure. Changes like reducing the episode count from 10 to eight due to budget constraints were reportedly made by Netflix, though the streaming platform declined to comment on the situation. Representatives for Sutter have been approached for a statement.
The Abandons, which features Anderson and Headey as two mothers embroiled in a violent feud, was greenlit by Netflix in October 2022. The show’s official synopsis describes a narrative where diverse families in 1850s Oregon unite to protect their land against a corrupt force seeking to evict them. Sutter, aged 64, not only created the series but also served as its executive producer and showrunner. Discussing the inspiration behind The Abandons during Netflix’s Tudum event in May, Sutter highlighted themes of moral ambiguity and maternal instinct.
This is not the first time Sutter has exited a project abruptly. In 2019, he was fired from FX’s Mayans MC after complaints were raised by the cast and crew, leading Disney’s HR department to take action. In response to his dismissal, Sutter refuted allegations of fostering a toxic work environment and claimed his limited presence on set didn’t warrant such severe criticisms. While acknowledging some misjudgments on his part, Sutter emphasized the importance of empowering the show’s co-creator for its future.
In the realm of television dramas, Sutter’s departure from The Abandons adds another chapter to his career marked by creative highs and contentious exits. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the Western series and its production schedule moving forward. The news of Sutter’s exit has sparked speculation and curiosity among fans eagerly anticipating The Abandons’ premiere on Netflix.