A SONS OF ANARCHY THEORY TURNS NETFLIX’S UPCOMING WESTERN INTO A SECRET SAMCRO PREQUEL

Kurt Sutter’s latest project, The Abandons, has already got fans buzzing with excitement and speculation. Since the success of Sons of Anarchy, Sutter has built a reputation for creating gritty worlds full of outcasts and violence, and his new Netflix Western appears no different. Set in 1850s Oregon, The Abandons might seem like a shift from his outlaw biker tales. However, there are several hints that the show could be more connected to Sutter’s previous work than initially thought. It could be a hidden prequel to Sons of Anarchy.

The Abandons follows a group of outcast families fighting against corrupt enemies in a lawless landscape. Sound familiar? While not much has been released about the show, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating that The Abandons will offer a backstory to SAMCRO's origins and the Teller family at the center of it all. However, with the recent news of Sutter’s exit from the project, theories about The Abandons being a prequel to Sons of Anarchy have taken a new turn.

Everything We Know About The Abandons So Far

The Abandons is an upcoming Western drama set to be released in the second quarter of 2025. As it currently stands, the Netflix show has only recently finished production, and not much has been said about its story. However, what has been said has already sparked excitement among fans.

For fans of Sutter’s signature storytelling, his latest project promises to deliver an exciting new saga. The Abandons will follow a group of outcast families in 1850s Oregon, as corrupt rivals attempt to force them out. Not much to go from, but given Sutter’s track record, viewers can expect intense themes with a heavy dose of lawless action. And with Netflix – home to violent Westerns like Godless – backing the project, there will likely be no shortage of bloodshed and high-stakes drama.

The show’s cast is also already generating buzz. Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey and two-time Emmy winner Gillian Anderson lead the show, and Sons of Anarchy fan-favorite Ryan Hurst (best known for playing Opie Winston) is also among the cast. Hurst’s exact role remains under wraps, but given his past collaborations with Sutter, his character is likely to play a significant part. Joining him are other Sutter alums, including Michael Ornstein (SoA’s Chuck Marstein) and Clayton Cardenas (Mayans M.C.’s Angel Reyes).

For now, fans of Sutter have every reason to be excited. With an all-star cast and a gripping premise, The Abandons has all the makings of Netflix’s next must-watch series.

The Abandons and SAMCRO Theory, Explained

Even with limited details available about the show, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about its possible connections to Sutter’s other works — most notably, Sons of Anarchy. Both shows share similar themes, particularly with outcast families banding together to fight against enemies. However, it’s the characters’ surnames that have led fans to believe that The Abandons is a SoA prequel.

The show features two characters with the surname Teller: Elias Teller (played by Nick Robinson) and Dahlia Teller (played by Diana Silvers). This has sparked speculation among fans that these characters could be ancestors of John and Jax Teller. Fans believe that the show could explore the backstory of the Teller family, much like how 1883 did with Yellowstone’s Dutton family. However, the Teller surname isn’t the only connection fueling speculation. While Hurst’s role in The Abandons hasn’t been fully revealed yet, fans are already wondering if there could be a link between his new character and his SoA past. Some even think Hurst’s character could be another ancestor of SAMCRO’s founding members.

How The Abandons Could Expand on SAMCRO’s Story

Despite taking place in an entirely different time and setting, The Abandons could offer an interesting expansion to the SoA universe – should the theory be proven correct. While SoA delved a little into SAMCRO’s origins and the central Teller family, much of their history beyond Jax Teller’s time remains a mystery.

One possible avenue The Abandons could explore is how the Teller family’s roots trace back to the same principles of loyalty and protection, especially since the mention of outlier families fighting against those in power mirrors the early days of SAMCRO. This connection could provide a glimpse into how the Teller name might have evolved through generations.

The Abandons’ premise offers a chance to explore how the Teller family’s toughness was shaped long before John’s time. Were they involved in similar struggles? Did their past struggles set the stage for what would later become SAMCRO? While it’s still unclear how the two shows will (or could) connect, it’s easy to see how these two could cross paths. Whether through subtle nods to SoA or actual connections, The Abandons has the potential to strengthen the legacy of the Teller family and provide long-awaited insights into their origins.

Kurt Sutter’s Departure Could Affect the Theory’s Credibility

• Sutter’s unexpected exit from The Abandons due to creative differences raises doubts about the show's future direction and its connections to Sons of Anarchy.
• His departure could weaken the prequel theory, as the potential SoA references were largely based on his creative influence and style.
• Despite the uncertainty, the show still has a strong cast and interesting premise, leaving room for the theory to evolve—though its future remains unpredictable.

Sutter’s departure from The Abandons was a shock to many, especially as it came so close to the show’s completion. According to reports, the exit was prompted by creative differences after Netflix viewed rough cuts of the first few episodes, and decided to split the first episode into two. These changes required rewrites and reshoots, creating a further delay, and ultimately leading to Sutter’s exit.

This decision has left many wondering what the future of The Abandons holds, and how this could impact the show’s connections to SoA. Since much of the speculation around the two shows being linked stemmed from Sutter’s signature style, his departure from the project raises questions as to whether The Abandons will deliver what’s been promised. Though the show will continue under new leadership, the absence of Sutter undoubtedly changes the course of the series. Without Sutter at the helm, The Abandons could lose some of the drama that made SoA such a hit.

The change in leadership could also influence the theory that The Abandons is a prequel to SoA. This connection was largely driven by Sutter’s involvement, so the creative shift could change how these links are portrayed – if they’re portrayed at all. The absence of Sutter could mean that these potential SoA references are toned down or removed entirely, weakening the theory that The Abandons is a hidden prequel.

Netflix is known for backing risk-taking dramas, but with The Abandons now losing the visionary behind Sons of Anarchy, the show may find it hard to live up to the expectations that come with being associated with Sutter’s name. The potential for The Abandons to tie into Sons of Anarchy through subtle references and family connections remains, but whether these will materialize in the way fans hope is uncertain. However, as it stands, The Abandons still has a strong cast and an interesting premise. And no news of character changes has been announced, so the potential for ancestry links between the two shows remains. Only time will tell, but the uncertainty around its future makes this one of the most fascinating, and unpredictable, projects of 2025.

Ultimately, while The Abandons holds a lot of potential for exploring connections to Sons of Anarchy, the uncertainty surrounding its future leaves fans in limbo. With Sutter’s departure from the project, the direction of the show is now in new hands, and whether the prequel theory will hold up is anyone's guess. However, the possibility of revisiting the Teller family roots still makes The Abandons one to watch closely.

As it stands, The Abandons still has a lot to offer, even without the same creative direction that birthed SAMCRO. With its cast, premise and Sutter’s storytelling, it’s a series that could interest fans in its own right. However, whether it will satisfy the desire for SoA connections or take a completely different direction is a question that will likely keep fans on the edge of their seats until its release.

2025-02-14T10:19:22Z