It’s been over a decade since Sons of Anarchy roared off into the sunset, but fans haven’t exactly let go. The FX crime drama, created by Kurt Sutter, carved out a legacy alongside shows like The Sopranos, delivering a gritty biker saga that people still argue about today.
Now, twelve years after the series wrapped, Sutter has offered a fresh update on the long-discussed prequel that would dig into SAMCRO’s earliest days.
During its run from 2008 to 2014, Sons of Anarchy became a powerhouse for FX Network, pulling in massive audiences and building a loyal fanbase. Even its controversial final season couldn’t slow down the conversation. That ongoing interest helped fuel spinoff series Mayans M.C. in 2018, but fans have always had their eyes on something else: the origin story.
Sutter recently opened up about where things stand with that idea, and it sounds like the door is still very much open. His relationship with John Landgraf has evolved since his time working directly under him, and that connection could play a big role in what happens next.
“[FX Networks Chairman] John Landgraf and I were always friends while I worked with him, but we’ve become really close friends since I left, and that’s been powerful for me,” Sutter told Deadline.
“I know that he loves the IP, and I trust John. When I know it’s the right time for it, and it all makes sense, that’s when it’ll happen. When we have lunch, we’ll talk about the business and work, but it’s never about the pursuit of a single project.”
So yeah, it’s not a greenlight, but it isn’t a shutdown either. In fact, Sutter made it clear there’s still creative fuel in the tank for this world.
“Look, I think there are still some stories to tell, and it would be fantastic to come back and be able to do that. I don’t think it’s completely off the table, but as things change, you embrace whatever direction you’re taken in.”
If you’re a fan, you already know why the idea of a prequel is so cool. The original series followed Jax Teller, played by Charlie Hunnam, as he spiraled deeper into violence and moral compromise. By the end, the story had pushed its characters to some pretty extreme places, leaving viewers divided on whether it stuck the landing.
But the real goldmine has always been the past. The proposed prequel, often referred to as Sons of Anarchy: First 9, would focus on the founding members of SAMCRO. These weren’t just bikers causing chaos. Six of the nine were Vietnam War veterans trying to carve out a new way of life after coming home.
Among them were Jax’s father, John “JT” Teller, and Piney Winston, men who originally built the club around loyalty, brotherhood, and a rejection of societal rules.
Of course, that ideal didn’t last. Power struggles and ambition crept in, especially from figures like Clay Morrow and Gemma Teller, steering the club toward guns, crime, and a much darker identity.
That transformation is where the prequel could really shine. There’s a tragic angle baked into the DNA of this story, watching something built on purpose slowly unravel into something dangerous.
Sutter’s storytelling has always leaned into that kind of dramatic weight. The original Sons of Anarchy pulled heavily from Hamlet, and a First 9 series could dive even deeper into that Shakespearean tone, exploring how good intentions collapse under pressure, ego, and greed.
At this point, nothing is officially in development, but it’s clear the idea hasn’t been abandoned. And honestly, that’s enough to keep fans paying attention.
Because if there’s one thing this franchise proved, it’s that SAMCRO’s history is just as compelling as its downfall.
