‘The Abandons’ Ending Explained: Who Survives the Fire?

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the finale of The Abandons!

The Abandons left behind broken hearts and ashes.

The Netflix Western show stars Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan and Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness, the matriarchs of two distinct families in the Washington Territory during the 1850s.

Over the drama’s seven episodes, Fiona and Constance wage war against each other as they fight for the future of their families and the frontier town of Angel’s Ridge. Inevitably, they become entangled through crime and potential wealth.

The season ends with secrets — and bodies — unburied, leading to a fiery climax in Constance’s burning mansion, featuring her facing off in a brutal battle with Fiona.

Here’s the ending of The Abandons explained, including what the series’ executive producer has said about the finale cliffhanger.

How does The Abandons end?

When it is confirmed that Fiona and her children are responsible for the death of Constance’s son, Willem (Toby Hemingway), Constance strikes back, kidnapping Fiona’s daughter, Dahlia (Diana Silvers).

Later, Fiona confronts Constance at the Van Ness mansion, where Constance stabs Dahlia in the leg in front of Fiona. “That pain is nothing compared to that of a true mother,” Constance tells Fiona, who adopted her children. “Nothing compared to my suffering!”

Their confrontation is cut short once Fiona’s family and friends — like Miles Alderton (Ryan Hurst) — shoot at Constance’s men, allowing Fiona and Dahlia to break free.

Constance escapes into her house as Fiona’s son, Elias (Nick Robinson), launches a wagon full of burning barrels toward the structure. It crashes into the mansion, sending it up in flames. Fiona then goes into the burning building, following Constance.

She finds her in the attic, and their face-off continues, this time with both of them delivering blows, including Constance, who beats Fiona with a table leg.

As the house turns into a fiery inferno, one silhouette eventually emerges in the front doorway, but the episode cuts to black before their identity is revealed.

Does Constance find out who killed her son?

Yes, Constance learns that it was the Nolans who killed her son, Willem.

In the finale, Willem’s body is unearthed and brought to the Van Ness’ mansion. It is there that Constance delivers the truth to her daughter, Trisha (Aisling Franciosi), revealing that it was Fiona and her family of Abandons who are responsible for Willem’s death.

What happens to Elias and Trisha?

Elias and Trisha are The Abandons’ Romeo and Juliet, a pair of star-crossed lovers from warring families who are torn apart by loyalty.

In the finale, Constance reveals to Trisha that her brother, Willem, was killed by the Nolans, and Elias was involved.

Willem was murdered in the first episode of the series after he raped Elias’ sister, Dahlia. Afterward, Fiona struggles to keep her family’s dark secret hidden.

When she learns the truth from Constance, Trisha tearfully confronts Elias, who confirms his involvement with her brother’s murder, telling her, “Your brother was a monster. He raped my sister, and your family strangles us. I love you, but I’d do it again.”

Elias rides off, leaving Trisha with his jacket, and she puts it on before walking away. The two still have feelings for each other, but it is unclear if Trisha will be able to forgive Elias for what he did to her brother.

What is Miles Alderton’s real identity?

Miles is a settler of the neighboring land of Jasper Hollow and a friend of Fiona’s. In the finale, Constance’s son, Garret (Lucas Till), tells Miles’ daughter, Samara (Katelyn Wells), about her father’s true identity.

It is revealed that Miles is actually an outlaw named Adam Winston, “a wanted criminal and a very dangerous man.”

Miles used to be a member of a gang, who found out he was secretly married. The gang “demanded” that he “end the marriage,” but he didn’t, and instead went on the run to keep his family safe.

Who survives the house fire?

It isn’t confirmed who survives the Van Ness mansion fire at the end of The Abandons finale.

As the house burns, a figure emerges from the collapsing building, but it is unclear whether it is Fiona or Constance.

When asked about the ambiguous ending, executive producer Chris Keyser told Tudum, “I’m not going to answer that question.”

“I have a feeling about how it ought to go, but I don’t want to, in any way, tip my hand,” he continued. “Clearly, one person survives, maybe two people survive, [but] which one that is, and whether it’s one or two — all of those things are up in the air. And that’s the fun.”