Fan of Yellowstone? Then Ransom Canyon will be your new Netflix addiction

Who is a fan of ‘Yellowstone’ or ‘Virgin River’, or of course both, will recognize this: waiting for the new spin-off and the next season is quite a challenge. Fortunately, Netflix is there to fill the void. They combine the best of our two favorite series in their latest western drama ‘Ransom Canyon’. With a mix of thrilling intrigue and intense romance, the series finds its way to the Netflix top. So make sure to save a spot on that watchlist.

Ransom Canyon: a village full of secrets

The close-knit community of the Texas town of Ransom Canyon is on the verge of falling apart as three families become embroiled in a complicated struggle over their land. Cowboy Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) will have to protect his home and way of life; all while he is just managing to stay afloat after the loss of his wife and son. His only support comes from Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), the owner of the local bar and an old family friend. Yet Staten dares not fully open up to her about his recent loss and new struggles. As if that weren't complicated enough, a mysterious cowboy from outside manages to infiltrate the town. His arrival brings old secrets to light and puts the community on edge even more.

Inspiration from the books of Ransom Canyon

Just like ‘Virgin River’, ‘Ransom Canyon’ is also based on a book series. In total, Jodi Thomas wrote eight stories about the town, each featuring a new group of characters. Showrunner April Blair used only the first book for the series to really focus on those characters. With a foundation for the story in hand, Blair decided to give it her own twist. Fans will recognize many references to the book, but there are also elements added. Especially the characters in the ensemble get a different role; where they only briefly appear in the original story, we will see them much more in the series. Thomas herself was also enthusiastic about these adaptations. “The Netflix adaptation expands the story in ways I never imagined. When I write, my characters are mine, but by sending them out into the world, I can see what they become. Many good writers don’t get this chance, so it’s great to see my story reach a new audience.”

How the cast of Ransom Canyon prepared for their roles

To create a believable western, the cast had a special preparation: they went to a cowboy camp. According to actor Jack Schumacher, who plays the role of the mysterious cowboy Yancy Grey, it was a unique experience. “It was super intensive, with a lot of horse riding, and we learned how to use lassos. Hats off to the cowboys who trained us, as they are incredibly patient and skilled at what they do.” Besides working with horses, some actors also learned bull riding. All to immerse themselves as much as possible in the characters. But that wasn't the only preparation. Schumacher also decided to read all the books, even before he officially got the role. Fortunately, that turned out to be worthwhile, and with this extra preparation, he manages to steal the spotlight a bit from lead actors Duhamel and O’Grady.

A fitting soundtrack

A good western naturally calls for real country music. And although other genres also come by, with the Ransom Canyon playlist, you really do feel like you’re in the Texas countryside. We owe that feeling in part to singer Charley Crockett. You might not recognize the name right away, but with a Grammy nomination under his belt, Crockett is a big name in the country world. In the series, not only does his music return, but the singer also makes an appearance. In one of the episodes, he performs in Quinn's bar, which further enhances the western feel. The cast was definitely fans after his performance. Keeping your Spotify handy while watching is therefore not strange at all.

Famous artists in Ransom Canyon: surprising guest roles in the series

Charley Crockett is not the only singer to appear in Ransom Canyon. In the second-to-last episode, music fans can expect an unexpected performance. Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of the band ‘Imagine Dragons’, managed to snag a small role in the series. It’s not like he’s making a career switch now; Reynolds happened to be on set because he is in a relationship with lead actress Quinn O’Grady. The rest of the cast and crew were so charmed by his presence that he was asked to join in. His musical talents will be missed in the series, but who knows, his cameo might lead to more and he may combine it in the future.

Will there be a season 2 of Ransom Canyon on Netflix?

Anyone who has binged all ten episodes will discover one thing: with significant cliffhangers, many questions remain unanswered. It almost seems inevitable that a second season will come; however, Netflix has not confirmed anything yet. That doesn’t seem to stop the writers. According to showrunner Blair, there are already plenty of ideas about what will happen to the characters, and some writing for a new season is cautiously underway. To be continued therefore.

The first season of ‘Ransom Canyon’ is now available on Netflix.

Image: Netflix