The first season of the American television drama series '' Sons of Anarchy'' premiered on September 3, 2008, and concluded on November 26, 2008, after 13 episodes aired on

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FX. It is also the only season to air on Wednesdays before the show moved to Tuesdays for the remainder of its run. Created by Kurt Sutter, it is about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on

protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

Jackson "Jax" Teller (

Charlie Hunnam Charles Matthew Hunnam (; born 10 April 1980) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Pete Dunham in ''Green Street Hooligans'' (2005) and as Jax Teller in the FX series ''Sons of Anarchy'' (2008–2014). For the latter, he was ...

), the vice president of the motorcycle club, who begins questioning the club and himself. ''Sons of Anarchy'' is the story of the Teller-Morrow family of Charming, California, as well as other members of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original (SAMCRO), their families, various Charming townspeople, allied and rival gangs, associates, and law agencies that undermine or support SAMCRO's legal and illegal enterprises.

Plot

The series begins with the destruction of a warehouse the club uses to store and assemble guns, which is their main source of income, by a rival MC right before the overdose of Jax's Methamphetamine-addicted, pregnant ex-wife Wendy. An emergency C-section is performed, and their son Abel is delivered ten weeks prematurely. Jax finds his father's memoirs when he visits a storage unit to collect some old baby clothes. John Teller, Jax's father, was one of the founders of SAMCRO, and the book describes his trials with and hopes for the club. Jax's mother, Gemma Teller-Morrow, is now married to the President of SAMCRO, Clay Morrow. Jax's best friend Opie has just been released from prison for serving time for a club-related crime. The first season deals with Jax trying to reconcile things happening to the club with what he reads in his father's memoirs, Opie trying to take a lesser role in the club, and local and federal law enforcement trying to shut down SAMCRO.

Cast and characters

Main cast

as Jackson "Jax" Teller, a disillusioned club member who is Vice President of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original in Charming. He discovers a written diary by his late father John that makes him question his life and the club. *

Katey Sagal Catherine Louise "Katey" Sagal (; born January 19, 1954) is an American actress and singer. She is known for playing Peggy Bundy on '' Married... with Children'' (1987–1997), Leela on ''Futurama'' (1999–2003, 2008–2013, 2023), Cate Henne ...

Gemma Teller Morrow Gemma Teller Morrow (''née'' Madock) is a fictional character on the FX television series ''Sons of Anarchy'', played by Katey Sagal. Gemma is the widow of John Teller, a founding member of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original ...

, Jax's mother and the queen of Charming. She is the matriarch of the club through her marriage to President Clay Morrow. * Mark Boone Junior as Robert "Bobby Elvis" Munson, the Secretary and a former Vice President of SAMCRO, in Charming. *

Kim Coates Kim F. Coates (born February 21, 1958) is a Canadian–American actor who has worked in both Canadian and American films and television series. He has worked on Broadway portraying Stanley Kowalski in ''A Streetcar Named Desire'' and in the lead ...

as Alexander "Tig" Trager, a former Sergeant-at-Arms at the club. *

Tommy Flanagan Thomas Lee Flanagan (March 16, 1930 – November 16, 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He grew up in Detroit, initially influenced by such pianists as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole, and then by bebop musicians. ...

as Filip "Chibs" Telford, a club member from Glasgow, Scotland. He is SAMCRO's connection with the IRA. *

Johnny Lewis Jonathan Kendrick Lewis (October 29, 1983 – September 26, 2012), also credited as Johnny K. Lewis, was an American film and television actor. He played Kip "Half-Sack" Epps in the first two seasons of the FX series ''Sons of Anarchy'', and o ...

as Kip "Half Sack" Epps, a prospect (prospective member) of the club, who often gets hazed by the club and is given undesirable tasks. *

Maggie Siff Maggie Siff (born June 21, 1974) is an American actress. Her most notable television roles have included department store heiress Rachel Menken Katz on the AMC drama ''Mad Men'', Dr. Tara Knowles on the FX drama ''Sons of Anarchy'' for which s ...

as Dr. Tara Knowles Jax's high-school sweetheart. She performs successful surgery on his premature child Abel. * Ron Perlman as Clarence "Clay" Morrow, the President of SAMCRO. He is Jax's step-father and Gemma's husband.

Special guest cast

Drea de Matteo Andrea Donna de Matteo is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Adriana La Cerva on the HBO television drama ''The Sopranos'' (1999–2006), for which she received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in ...

as Wendy Case, Jax's ex-wife and Abel Teller's biological mother. She is a meth addict. *

Ally Walker Allene Damian "Ally" Walker (born August 25, 1961) is an American actress. She made her television debut in the NBC daytime soap opera '' Santa Barbara'' (1988) before landing the leading roles on the short-lived dramas '' True Blue'' (1989–199 ...

as Agent June Stahl * Tom Everett Scott as Rosen * Brian Van Holt as Kyle Hobart

Recurring cast

Dayton Callie Dayton Callie (born 1946) is an American actor, best known for playing Charlie Utter on HBO's '' Deadwood'', former Police Chief Wayne Unser on ''Sons of Anarchy'', and Jeremiah Otto on AMC's '' Fear the Walking Dead''. He has also voiced W ...

as Chief Wayne Unser *

Theo Rossi John Theodore Rossi (born June 4, 1975) is an American actor and producer. He portrayed Juan Carlos "Juice" Ortiz on the FX series ''Sons of Anarchy'' (2008–2014) and Hernan "Shades" Alvarez in ''Luke Cage'' (2016–2018). His film roles i ...

as Juan-Carlos "Juice" Ortiz *

Ryan Hurst Ryan Douglas Hurst (born June 19, 1976) is an American actor, known for his roles as Gerry Bertier in '' Remember the Titans'' (2000), Sgt. Ernie Savage in '' We Were Soldiers'' (2002), Tom Clarke in '' Taken'' (2002), Opie Winston in the FX dr ...

as Harry "Opie" Winston *

Taylor Sheridan Taylor Sheridan (born May 21, 1970) is an American filmmaker and actor. Sheridan portrayed David Hale in the FX television series ''Sons of Anarchy'' and Danny Boyd in '' Veronica Mars'' (2005–2007). Sheridan has written several films, incl ...

as Deputy Chief David Hale *

William Lucking William Lucking (June 17, 1941 – October 18, 2021) was an American film, television, and stage actor, best known for his role as Piney Winston in '' Sons of Anarchy'' (2008–2011), and for his movie roles in ''The Magnificent Seven Ride!'' ( ...

as Piermont "Piney" Winston * Dendrie Taylor as Luann Delaney *

Sprague Grayden Sprague Grayden (born July 21, 1980) is an American actress. She played schoolteacher Heather Lisinski in the television drama '' Jericho'', Karen Kawalski in ''John Doe'', first daughter Olivia Taylor in the television thriller '' 24'', and Kr ...

as Donna Winston *

Jay Karnes Jay Karnes (born June 27, 1963) is an American actor, best known for his role as LAPD detective Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach on the FX television series ''The Shield'', Agent Josh Kohn on ''Sons of Anarchy'' (2008) and Craig on '' The Crossing'' ...

as Agent Joshua Kohn *

Mitch Pileggi Mitch Pileggi (born April 5, 1952) is an American actor. He played Horace Pinker in '' Shocker'', Walter Skinner on ''The X-Files'', Colonel Steven Caldwell on ''Stargate Atlantis'', Ernest Darby in ''Sons of Anarchy'', and Harris Ryland in t ...

as Ernest Darby, a member of a white supremacist gang called the Nordics *

Emilio Rivera Emilio Rivera (born February 24, 1961) is an American film and television actor and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his portrayal of Marcus Álvarez in ''Sons of Anarchy'' and its spin-off, ''Mayans M.C.'' He is also known for his de ...

Marcus Álvarez The following is a list of characters from ''Sons of Anarchy'', and its spin-off ''Mayans M.C.'' Both are American crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter. ''Sons of Anarchy'' aired from 2008 to 2014, ''Mayans M.C.'' since 2018. Cast ...

Tory Kittles Tory Kittles is an American actor. He has appeared in the films '' Malibu's Most Wanted'' (2003), '' Get Rich or Die Tryin (2005), ''Next'' (2007), '' Miracle at St. Anna'' (2008), and '' Dragged Across Concrete'' (2018). He is known mostly fo ...

as Laroy Wayne *

Taryn Manning Taryn Manning is an American actress and singer. She is best known for portraying Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett in the Netflix original series ''Orange Is the New Black'' (2013–2019), Cherry in ''Sons of Anarchy'' (2008–2010), Nola in ''Hus ...

as Cherry / Rita *

Keir O'Donnell Keir O'Donnell is an Australian–American actor, best known for his roles in the films ''Wedding Crashers'', ''The Break-Up'', '' Paul Blart: Mall Cop'' and ''American Sniper'' as well as numerous television appearances. Early life O'Donnell ...

as Lowell Harland, Jr. * Glenn Plummer as Sheriff Vic Trammel * Julie Ariola as Mary Winston * Jamie McShane as Cameron Hayes

Guest stars

* David LaBrava as

Happy Lowman The following is a list of characters from ''Sons of Anarchy'', and its spin-off ''Mayans M.C.'' Both are American crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter. ''Sons of Anarchy'' aired from 2008 to 2014, ''Mayans M.C.'' since 2018. Cast ...

Patrick St. Esprit Patrick St. Esprit (born May 18, 1954)"Patrick St. Esprit"
Retrieved 5 June 2015 is an American character actor ...

as Elliott Oswald * Kurt Sutter as "Big" Otto Delaney *

Olivia Burnette Olivia Burnette (born March 24, 1977) is an American actress who began her career as a child actress at the age of six. She is perhaps best known for her role in the NBC sitcom '' The Torkelsons'' (1991–1993), Homeless Woman in ''Sons of Anar ...

as Homeless Woman *

Michael Shamus Wiles Michael Shamus Wiles (born October 27, 1955) is an American character actor of film and television onscreen since the 1980s who has appeared in over 100 films and television shows. Career He portrayed Marc Mitscher in ''Pearl Harbor'' and Mr. Pa ...

as Jury White * Kenneth Choi as Henry Lin * Michael Marisi Ornstein as Chuck Marstein * Marcos de la Cruz as Estevez

Reception

The first season received generally positive reviews from industry critics. Matthew Gilbert of '' The Boston Globe'' said the first season had "real potential". '' The New York Times''’ Gina Bellafante spoke highly of the cast's acting ability, particularly Sagal’s portrayal of Gemma. Brian Lowry of '' Variety'' gave a mixed review, admiring Sutter’s creation of the club and the town of Charming but observing the early episodes lacked direction. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 88% based on 24 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "Rough and harsh, ''Sons of Anarchy'' features one of television's best ensemble casts."

Production

Although ''Sons of Anarchy'' is set in Northern California's Central Valley, it is filmed primarily at Occidental Studios Stage 5A in

North Hollywood North Hollywood is a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, located in the San Fernando Valley. The neighborhood contains the NoHo Arts District, the El Portal Theatre, several art galleries, and the Academy of TV Arts and Sciences. The North ...

. Main sets located there include the clubhouse, St. Thomas Hospital, and Jax's house. The production rooms at the studio used by the writing staff also double as the Charming police station. External scenes are often filmed nearby in Sun Valley and Tujunga. Interior and exterior scenes set in Northern Ireland during season 3 were also filmed at Occidental Studios and surrounding areas. A

second unit Second unit is a discrete team of filmmakers tasked with filming shots or sequences of a production, separate from the main or "first" unit. The second unit will often shoot simultaneously with the other unit or units, allowing the filming stag ...

shot footage in Northern Ireland used in the third season. Originally,

Scott Glenn Theodore Scott Glenn (born January 26) is an American actor. His roles have included Pfc Glenn Kelly in ''Nashville'' (1975), Wes Hightower in ''Urban Cowboy'' (1980), astronaut Alan Shepard in '' The Right Stuff'' (1983), Emmett in '' Silverado'' ...

was cast in the role of

Clay Morrow Clarence "Clay" Morrow is a fictional character in the FX television series ''Sons of Anarchy''. He is played by Ron Perlman. Morrow is one of the original "First 9" members of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), but ...

and an entire pilot episode was filmed with him. However, series creator Kurt Sutter decided to go in a different direction with the character and re-cast Ron Perlman in the role, and Clay's scenes were re-shot. Additionally, Emilio Rivera was originally cast as a Sons of Anarchy club member named "Hawk," who eventually evolved into the character of Tig Trager.Emilio Rivera Talks SONS OF ANARCHY, a Guest Spot on THE MENTALIST, and Feature Projects
/ref> Also, the One-Niners street gang who buy weapons from SAMCRO first appeared in ''

The Shield ''The Shield'' is an American crime drama television series starring Michael Chiklis that premiered on March 12, 2002, on FX in the United States, and concluded on November 25, 2008, after seven seasons. Known for its portrayal of corrupt poli ...

'', which Sutter produced.

Episodes

Home media release

The first season was released in the United States on

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kin ...

and

Blu-ray The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of stori ...

on August 18, 2009.

References

External links

''Sons of Anarchy''
at FXNetworks.com * {{Sons of Anarchy 2008 American television seasons