Netflix released a new Western drama, The Abandons, on December 4. Ever since they announced it would be starring Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, fans have been counting down the days till they could see the two legends on screen.
Anderson, best known for hits such as Sex Education and The X Files, has been an LGBTQ+ icon throughout her prolific career, opening up about her sexuality back in 2012. She is also set to star in a camp slasher film soon with the director of I Saw the TV Glow. Anderson’s Abandons co-star, Headey, of Game of Thrones fame, is also much-loved by the community, such as in her role as Luce in the wholesome sapphic romcom Imagine Me & You from 2005.
The Abandons is set in 1854, in Washington Territory, and sees the two stars pose as matriarchs of rival families. Fiona Nolan (Headey) and Constance Van Ness (Anderson) are embroiled in a murderous struggle for land and power. With themes of class, love, and tragedy, the show certainly earns its place as a Western drama.
Whilst the relationship between the two matriarchs isn’t explicitly queer, the phenomenal casting has had fans clamouring for an enemies-to-lovers slowburn, and there have already been calls for a second season, with one X user commenting, “but… can they kiss? Please as a treat.”
The co-stars commented on their queer fanbase in an interview with PRIDE, with Headey stating, “We’ll make you proud”.
Anderson also spoke in the interview about the fun of having two women leading in this Western drama. “I’ve never played a baddie before, and I was looking forward to leaning into that. It is cathartic”, she said.
While it has garnered mixed reviews so far, reviewers have unanimously praised the performances by the two leads, for which reason we’re also tuning in!
Amongst the wider cast are Irish actors Aisling Franciosi and Brían F. O’Byrne. There are also actors from other queer film and TV favourites, such as Diana Silvers from Booksmart, Nick Robinson from Love, Simon, and Lamar Johnson from The Last of Us. A star-studded cast indeed!
© 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.
comments. Please sign in to comment.