Ransom Canyon's cast and plot might echo the success of another favorite Western

Creating an interesting TV soap that generates millions of viewers is an art in itself. It requires a great evolving plot (often based on a book or a series of books), an unusual location, and something that can carry it. Such a concept was a great success for Yellowstone, and Virgin River did well, too.

Now, following this concept, starting April 17, 2025, Netflix began showing Ransom Canyon, another such series. The 10-episode series is created, written, and executive produced by April Blair (Wednesday, All American) and features a big-name cast starring Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, James Brolin, and many others.

The first two episodes were directed by Amanda Marsalis (Ozark, The Umbrella Academy). While the initial critics' opinions are mixed, the audiences don’t seem to be bothered much so far, as it is topping or is close to the top of viewers' lists in many countries.

What is Ransom Canyon about?

The comparisons with Yellowstone abound here, as Ransom Canyon is another drama set in the West, this time in the vast expanses of Texas ranches. It is another struggle over land ownership, intertwined with family relations and romance, focusing on the one between the lonesome ranch owner, Staten Kirkland (Duhamel), and local dancehall owner Quinn O’Grady (Kelly).

The general plot though centers on three ranching families who are locked in a constant battle over land ownership with a plot wrench being thrown in when a mysterious cowboy who goes by the name of Yancy Grey (Jack Schumacher -Top Gun, Maverick), comes to town digging up quite a few secrets from the past.

Who is in the cast of Ransom Canyon?

Along with Duhamel, Kelly and Schumaher, some of the key characters in the series are:

• James Brolin (Sweet Tooth) as Cap, Staten’s key opponent and owner of the competing Fuller ranch
• Eoin Macken (La Brea) as Davis Collins, Ivy-educated owner of the modern Bar W Ranch
• Marianly Tejada (One of Us is Lying) as Ellie Estevez, Quinn's best friend in Ransom Canyon
• Lizzy Greene (A Million Little Things) as Lauren Brigman, the daughter of the town's sheriff and head cheerleader
• Garrett Wareing (Manifest) as Lucas Russell, a ranch hand at Double K Ranch, who wants to achieve more
• Andrew Liner (Vampire Academy), as Reid Collins, the star quarterback of Ransom High
• Jaren K. Robledo (Rez Ball) as Jack Yellowbird
• Casey W. Johnson (GLOW) as Kit Russell
• Jennifer Ens (Chapelwaite) as Ashley
• Brett Cullen (Joker) as Senator Samuel “Sam” Kirkland
• Kate Burton (Grey’s Anatomy) as Katherine Bullock
• Niko Guardado (Party of Five) as Tim O’Grady
• Philip Winchester (Strike Back) as Sheriff Dan Brigman
• Justin Johnson Cortez (Walker: Independence) as Kai
• Kenneth Miller (The Cleaning Lady) as Freddie

The seeming clash between critics and viewers about Ransom Canyon will probably continue, possibly drawing the series an even larger audience.

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