Ransom Canyon,starring Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, and James Brolin, is the latest exploration into life and love on the ranch. Based on the books by Jodi Thomas,Netflix’sRansom Canyonis tragic and heartfelt, with characters viewers can’t help but root for. Here’s why it’s good and what makes it the next best Western to watch. The story revolves around Staten Kirkland, played by Duhamel, and his grief for his wife and son. Complicated by his feelings for Quinn O’Grady (Kelly) and the ongoing fight to preserve the cowboy way of life,Ransom Canyonmixes romance, drama, and mystery.
Fans of westerns will love Ransom Canyon’s beautiful and rustic landscape, while romantics will enjoy the obvious chemistry between Kirland and O’Grady. With twists and turns throughout the show, there’s never a dull moment for fans of a good mystery, too.
Ransom Canyon
Staten Kirkland’s Perseverance and Dedication to His Land Are Admirable, But He’s His Own Worst Enemy
From the outset, it’s obvious that Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) is a man grieving. As he emerges from self-imposed isolation after the death of his wife, his feelings for Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly) are clear.Then, another tragedy hits, and his son, Randall, is killed. Again, Staten is overcome with grief and loss.
ThroughoutRansom Canyon, Staten’s overwhelming pain and heartache influence his decision-making. He remains determined to hold onto his ranch as Austin Water & Power tries to take ownership of the land in the region, a desire that pushes him to explore working closely with his brother-in-law, Davis Collins (Eoin Macken), and his ally in the fight, Cap Fuller (James Brolin). While those are generally positive efforts,Staten gets drunk, fights, and insults the people he cares most about as his internal conflict over whom he loves continues.
Duhamel talked about what it was like to play StatenwithEntertainment Weekly, explaining, “There’s something actually cathartic about it.” To him, Staten is “stubborn,” and,
“If he could just tell her what he feels, he’d get a totally different outcome. But he’s stubborn, and he’s a guy who doesn’t have a lot of tools when it comes to figuring out or expressing what he feels. He doesn’t talk about feelings. This is not a guy who is comfortable with any of that. The easy way for him is just to go back into his dark hole and come back out when he’s ready, rather than actually deal with it.”
There’s an interesting juxtaposition inhow open Staten is when it comes to land, but is incredibly closed off when it comes to matters of the heart.He’s not alone in this. Cap’s stubbornness about his own lineage and grandson, Yancy Grey (Jack Schumacher), are demonstrative of how the past continues to haunt him and how grief is anything but linear.
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There Are Secrets and Lies Everywhere You Look in ‘Ransom Canyon’
The arrival of Yancy Grey in Ransom is part of the ongoing story of Austin Water & Power’s efforts to get what it wants. Enlisted by Davis Collins, it becomes clear thatStaten Kirkland’s own family is working against him. Grey’s shady past threatens the connection he makes with Ellie Estevez (Marianly Tejada), the manager of Gracie’s, the local dance hall. Add to that Staten’s quest to find out what really happened to his son, Randall, the night he died, and there’s no lack of intrigue inRansom Canyon.
Show creatorApril Blair explainedwhyRansom Canyonis as much a mystery as a romance toTudum:
“I wanted to do something that felt big and escapist and had the romance, but also had the drama, and the mystery wrapped up in one package… Old Westerns did have a romance and drama to them, so it leans into a more bygone era Western.”
Everyone seems to have secrets as agendas unfold.Ransom residents like Quinn O’Grady may have the best of intentions, but she’s not immune to hiding the truthabout what she really wants from the people she loves. Quinn is a musician at heart and, after she’s pushed to audition for the New York Philharmonic, has the opportunity to move to New York. She doesn’t tell Staten this until after they’ve committed to one another, proving there are no easy paths forward in Ransom.
Perhaps the biggest secret of all in Ransom is how Randall Kirkland died. Suspicion is thrown around, landing on Reid Collins (Andrew Liner), Randall’s cousin; troublemaker Kit Russell (Casey W. Johnson); and Margaret Brigman (Sarah Minnich), the wayward wife of Sheriff Dan Brignan (Philip Winchester) and mother to Lauren (Lizzy Greene). Thereveal at the end ofRansom Canyonis the epitome of how interconnected the lives of Ransom’s residents truly are.
The Similarities and Differences in ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘Ransom Canyon’ Make Each Show Even Better
Therelationship the residents of Ransom have with their land and with each other is reminiscent of the Duttons inYellowstone.Similarities between characters in both showsare clear. The brooding and angry cowboy, Staten Kirkland, rivals both John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) inYellowstone, while Quinn O’Grady is fiery, akin to Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly). External forces threaten their land, horses and epic scenery abound, and never knowing who one can trust pervades both shows, too.
However,YellowstoneandRansom Canyonhave stark contrasts. Where the former gets violent and deadly time after time, it’slove and romance that drives much ofRansom Canyon.In lieu of the excitement and action ofYellowstone,Ransom Canyon’sslower pace is comforting and engaging.There are places for both in the world of television Westerns, to be sure.
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Instead of declaringRansom Canyonto be the nextYellowstone, starJack Shumacher may have said it best:
“ThoseYellowstoneshows are incredible—I don’t know anyone who does not like them, myself included… ButRansom Canyonis its own world, its own universe. … I think if you’re a fan ofYellowstone, you’re absolutely going to be a fan ofRansom, too—and you’ll enjoy the differences!”
