No, there isn't an episode 8 of The Abandons — even after that shocking cliffhanger

Netflix's new Western drama series The Abandons from Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter arrived on Dec. 4 and quickly made an impact on the top 10. In the United States, the series debuted at the No. 3 position after its first day of availability, proving that audiences will definitely tune in to watch Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson portray feuding matriarchs in the 1800s.

Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson) leads the wealthy family that sets the town for Angel's Ridge, while Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey) steers the ship for the Abandons, a group of orphaned found families that stick together in Jasper Hollow outside of town. Both groups clash over ownership of land in the Hollow, and a death in episode 1 sets the tone for their brutal battle.

Throughout the course of the first season of The Abandons, the Van Ness family and the group of outsiders clash in various ways. There are secret romances, backstabbing (both literal and figurative), and an a fiery all-out war in the season finale. But are these seven episodes all that are coming to Netflix? Will we get an answer to that cliffhanger? Well, no. Not yet, at least. Let's explain.

The Abandons on Netflix only has 7 episodes in season 1

Unfortunately for viewers who want more from the story, The Abandons season 1 only contains seven total episodes. Even though it seems like the season ends abruptly with the episode 7, and it feels like there might be an episode 8 (or even another half of the season coming), Netflix only ordered these seven episodes for the Western drama's first season.

Actually, when the streamer first ordered Sutter's series back in October 2022, there were initially 10 episodes commissioned. It's unclear what exactly happened to those three extra episodes, especially since when creative differences behind the scenes caused Sutter to exit the series in October 2024 before filming officially wrapped.

During that time, it was reported that the first episode was nearly feature length like an episode of Stranger Things, but Netflix asked Sutter to split the story into two episodes, which resulted in additional scenes being shot. Otto Bathurst Rob Askins, both executive producers, took over the scenes after Sutter's departure, but it's still not confirmed why only seven episodes were made.

Warning: Spoilers from The Abandons from this point forward!

The Abandons ending leaves Constance and Fiona's fates unconfirmed

Without another episode immediately following The Abandons episode 7, there are seemingly endless questions left to be answered. Not a single storyline was resolved in the series, and it doesn't even seem like this episode was intended to be the season — or even series — finale. Most importantly, Anderson and Headey's characters are left in utter peril.

Constance and Fiona's bitter feud reaches a fever pitch after Fiona turns down Constance's land ownership proposal and the truth about Willem's murder is revealed. Even though Fiona tries to fess up to killing Willem, Constance believes what she was told, that Dahlia killed him. She retaliates by stabbing Dahlia multiple times right in front of Fiona.

The rest of the Abandons create chaos on the Van Ness property to save Fiona and Dahlia, including burning down their mansion. However, Fiona runs into the house after Constance to put an end to their battle. They come to intense, Dynasty-level physical blows as the manor burns down. The episode's end finds one woman exiting the burning house, but it's not clear who it is.

On top of not knowing whether Constance or Fiona survives the fight, The Abandons also doesn't resolve what's going on with Trisha, how Miles and Samara Alderton will proceed now that his real identity has been exposed, and so many more lose threads. Headey and executive producer Chris Keyser wouldn't reveal to Tudum who walked out of the fire, whether it was one or both matriarchs.

If viewers want to know what happens next in The Abandons, we will simply have to keep streaming the series and spread the word to ensure that Netflix renews season 2. Surely, it could be something of an uphill battle for the Western, which was mired in chaos and premiered in the shadow of the biggest Netflix show of the year. Keep your fingers the cliffhanger will be resolved!

Watch The Abandons only on Netflix.