Ransom Canyon: Everything we know About the Romance-Fueled Ranching Drama

Netflix has unveiled the first teaser for Ransom Canyon, offering a thrilling glimpse into its romance-fueled Western drama. With sweeping Texas landscapes, simmering feuds, and forbidden love, the show promises to be the next must-watch saga. 

Based on Jodi Thomas’s bestselling books, the show blends the rugged charm of Yellowstone with the heartfelt romance of Virgin River. It dives into the lives of three powerful ranching families, each navigating love and loyalty amid the untamed beauty of Texas Hill Country. 

With a cast full of familiar faces and an irresistible mix of passion and drama, Ransom Canyon is shaping up to be one of the most compelling new series of the year. And with the teaser already turning heads, the anticipation is only growing.

Curious about what’s in store? We’ve got all the details, from the star-studded cast to the intense family rivalries that drive the story. Plus, we’ll keep you updated as new information rolls in—so saddle up and get ready for a wild ride!

Release date & Where to Watch

All the ten-episodes of Ransom Canyon arrive on Netflix on Thursday, Apr. 17, 2025.

What is the plot of Ransom Canyon?

Welcome to Ransom Canyon, a sweeping contemporary Western saga where love, loss, and loyalty collide beneath the crimson mesas of Texas Hill Country. Three powerful ranching families are locked in a battle for control of the land, their legacies threatened by outside forces determined to upend their way of life.

At the heart of the story is Staten Kirkland, the stoic owner of Double K Ranch, who is grappling with a devastating loss while seeking vengeance. His only source of solace is Quinn O’Grady, a longtime family friend and the owner of the local dancehall. But as the fight to save Ransom Canyon intensifies, a mysterious cowboy arrives, unearthing long-buried secrets and setting off a chain of events that could change everything.

Created by April Blair, Ransom Canyon is a "romance-fueled family drama" that explores the intersecting lives of these ranching families. Blair describes the series as more than just a story about a town, telling Tudum, "It’s an idea. It’s the painful longing for your first love. It’s the burning desire to protect your family. It’s cowboys and lovers, grifters and thieves. Lust, deceit, heartache, home … Ransom has it all. I think people are going to fall in love with this little slice of Texas and the dramas and romances that we created there.”

Adapted from Jodi Thomas’s beloved book series, Ransom Canyon delivers a gripping mix of high-stakes drama, forbidden love, and the enduring fight to protect the land and the people who call it home.

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Who’s in the cast of Ransom Canyon?

Main cast members:

• Josh Duhamel (The Lost Husband, Transformers) as Staten Kirkland: The rugged and resolute owner of the vast Double K Ranch, Staten is a man of few words but unwavering convictions. As outside forces threaten his way of life, he stands firm in protecting the land he loves, refusing to back down from anyone who challenges his legacy.
• Minka Kelly (Euphoria, Friday Night Lights) as Quinn O’Grady: After years of living in the shadows of others, Quinn left Ransom Canyon to pursue a career as a concert pianist in New York. Now, she’s home and determined to carve out a life on her own terms. But as she rebuilds her future, old tensions and long-buried emotions come rushing back.
• James Brolin (Traffic) as Cap: A no-nonsense ex-Army captain and the gruff owner of Fuller Ranch, Cap hides his grief behind hard work and the occasional drink after losing his only son in Afghanistan. His once-thriving ranch has fallen into decline, but he refuses to sell. Instead, he hires a new foreman, Yancy Grey, and doesn’t hesitate to let him know when he’s doing something wrong. The only person who can keep him in check is Ellie, the daughter of a fallen brother-in-arms who looks out for him.
• Eoin Macken (Resident Evil: The Final Chapter) as Davis Collins: The charming, Ivy League-educated owner of the modern Bar W Ranch, Davis is Staten Kirkland’s longtime rival. Unlike Staten, he’s eager to capitalize on the valuable aquifer beneath Ransom’s land. Their families have been at odds for generations, but their biggest battle yet is over more than just land—both men have fallen for the captivating Quinn O’Grady.
• Lizzy Greene (A Million Little Things) as Lauren Brigman: The ambitious head cheerleader of Ransom High, Lauren seems to have it all—she’s the sheriff’s daughter, dating the star quarterback, and living a picture-perfect small-town life. But she’s desperate to escape Ransom Canyon and sees making the cheer team at UT Austin as her way out. Her father, however, has other plans. And when she starts falling for Lucas Russell, a kindhearted outsider from the wrong side of town, her carefully laid-out future begins to unravel.
• Marianly Tejada (One of Us Is Lying) as Ellie Estevez: Sharp, driven, and fiercely independent, Ellie has no intention of settling down anytime soon. She’s determined to make a name for herself in Ransom Canyon. However, when she crosses paths with a mysterious newcomer, Yancy, she finds herself drawn into a connection she never saw coming.
• Jack Schumacher (Top Gun: Maverick) as Yancy Grey: A charming drifter with a troubled past, Yancy prefers to keep his history a mystery. But as he begins working at Fuller Ranch, his past starts to catch up with him. The more he tries to keep his secrets buried, the harder it becomes—especially when Ellie and Cap start getting too close for comfort.
• Garrett Wareing (God is a Bullet) as Lucas Russell: A hardworking young man struggling to support his family while working at the Double K Ranch, Lucas has always felt like an outsider. He’s determined to build a future beyond Ransom Canyon and has the ambition to make it happen. When he meets Lauren Brigman, they quickly realize they share more than just a desire to escape—their connection might change both their lives forever.
• Andrew Liner as Reid Collins: Charismatic and self-assured, Reid walks the fine line between confidence and arrogance. As the star quarterback of Ransom High, Lauren’s boyfriend, and the future heir to the Collins family ranch, he seems to have it all. But beneath the bravado lies a teenager still grappling with the devastating loss of his cousin in a car accident. While he masks his pain by embracing a reckless, carefree lifestyle, a hidden vulnerability lingers—one fueled by a secret he’s desperate to keep buried.

Recurring cast members:

• Justin Johnson Cortez as Kai
• Kate Burton as Katherine Bullock
• Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon) as Jake Longbow
• Jennifer Ens as Ashley
• Brett Cullen as Senator Samuel Kirkland
• Niko Guardado as Tim O’Grady
• Casey W. Johnson as Kit Russell
• Jaren K. Robledo as Jack Yellowbird
• Kenneth Miller as Freddie
• Matt Medrano as Adam Allen
• Mimi Fletcher as Penny
• Meta Golding as Paula Jo

Guest cast members:

• Addison Bowman as Buckle Bunny
• Dan Davidson as Jay
• Nick Ricciardi as Judd
• Sterlin English as Sterlin

Is There a Trailer for Ransom Canyon?

Check out the trailer here:

The teaser for Netflix's upcoming series "Ransom Canyon" offers a compelling glimpse into this contemporary Western drama. Set against the expansive landscapes of Texas Hill Country, the teaser introduces Staten Kirkland, portrayed by Josh Duhamel, as a steadfast rancher determined to preserve his family's legacy. His voiceover sets the tone: "This place, it gives us all something to be happy about." 

The teaser then shifts to scenes of community gatherings and personal interactions, highlighting the intertwined lives of the ranching families. Minka Kelly's character is seen sharing a quiet moment with Staten, suggesting a complex relationship. Amidst these interactions, Staten's resolve is evident as he states, "I promise, it's not too late. Not for this town. And not for us." 

The teaser concludes with a montage of dramatic events—horseback rides across open fields, tense confrontations, and tender embraces—underscored by a stirring musical score.  

For a visual preview, you can watch the official teaser here:

Episode Titles

• Season 1 Episode 1: Don't Let Me Fall (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 2: I Love a Good Secret (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 3: He's Not Who You Think (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 4: Sure as the Day is Long (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 5: We Need to Talk About Reid (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 6: Trouble Can Be Fun Sometimes (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 7: The Boys is My Whole Heart (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 8: About Forever (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 9: By the Grace of God (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 10: To the End (Thursday, April 17, 2025)

Filming Details

Filming for Ransom Canyon happened mainly in Albuquerque and Santa Fe in New Mexico. Shooting began on Jan. 30, 2024, and wrapped on Jun. 17, 2024. Minka Kelly shared a wrap picture and expressed her gratitude for the experience, calling it "some of the best work" she has ever done. 

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Behind the Scenes

April Blair, best known for creating All American, serves as the creator, writer, and executive producer of the series, which is adapted from Jodi Thomas’s book series. She has also worked on Netflix’s Wednesday and YOU.

Amanda Marsalis is directing the first two episodes, while Dan Angel is producing through Fezziwig Studios. Tom Clancey and Eric Koretz are the cinematographers, and Jeff Cardoni is composing the score.