Netflix’s newly released drama series ‘The Abandons’ has quickly drawn attention for its gritty tone, atmospheric storytelling, and high-profile cast. Created by Kurt Sutter, the series — which premiered on Netflix on December 4 and shot to the streamer’s Top 10 list across several countries — boasts a star-studded cast, including Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson, Aisling Franciosi, Diana Silvers, Lucas Till, Nick Robinson, and more.
The show centres on the intensifying conflict between two families led by two formidable matriarchs, exploring themes of survival, loyalty, and how far family will go to protect their own in a lawless frontier community. Among the cast is Laura-Claire English, who appears as May Moran, the wife of local tavern owner Leslie Moran (played by Jack Doolan). While her role unfolds subtly, May’s presence is most notable in the emotionally charged events of Episode 5, where the violence of frontier life erupts into chaos and death for the already fractured community of Angel Ridge, exposing secrets and testing loyalties in the lead-up to the explosive final episodes. We caught up with Laura-Claire to talk about her experience on the series, working with the cast and creative team, and what lies ahead.
Laura-Claire, how does it feel to be part of the cast of ‘The Abandons’?
It is really exciting to be part of this project and to have gotten to work alongside such a talented cast and crew. I’m a big fan of Sutter’s work, so when I learned about the project, I knew that conceptually it was going to be a great story, with the gritty ambiance and intensity that his work is known for. This was further enhanced by the incredible ensemble cast and creative team involved.
Who did you work with, both opposite on screen and behind the scenes?
I initially shot for three episodes in scenes directed by Kurt Sutter, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, and Guy Ferland. I had the opportunity to work alongside and meet a number of wonderful actors, including Lena Headey, Diana Silvers, Jack Doolan, Tim Murphy, Jonathan Koensgen, Katelyn Wells, Gin Fedotov, and Brian Quintero.
Behind the scenes, I also had the chance to meet Brian O’Byrne, which was a really memorable moment for me, as I’ve been a big fan of his for many years. We didn’t have any scenes together, but one day he came up to me and introduced himself after hearing there was another Irish actress on set. We ended up chatting about home and those sorts of things, and how we enjoyed working on the project — we Irish really do seem to find each other wherever we go.
How did you prepare for the role?
My scenes weren’t dialogue-heavy, so there wasn’t a lot of preparation required in that sense. Instead, I focused on grounding myself and getting to know the actors I was sharing scenes with. May, running the local tavern alongside her husband Leslie Moran, would naturally have a relaxed and familiar relationship with most of the townspeople, even if that wasn’t being conveyed directly through dialogue.
Before shooting our scene, I got to spend some time with Tim, Jack, and Lena. The atmosphere was easy and relaxed, and everyone was very down-to-earth; we spent most of the time chatting and joking around. It was quite hot at the time, as Alberta was in the midst of a prolonged heatwave, so I commiserated with Lena about the multiple layers of period-appropriate clothing, which included stockings, bloomers, an underskirt, and more, as was fitting for a woman of my station. The easy atmosphere behind the scenes helped set the tone for the natural, familiar energy when shooting.
The bar scene in Episode 5 — which was the one of the scenes I filmed that made it into the final cut — was more intense and impactful for my character. That scene required much more emotional preparation, particularly in understanding the gravity of what May experiences in that moment, as her whole world is changed. The impenitent violence in that scene is a precursor to the carnage that quickly follows, rocking the foundation of the entire community.
Featured photo credit: Lucas Preston Photography
