Netflix's Next 'Yellowstone Meets Virgin River' Series is a Must-Watch Already
The stars keep coming to Ransom Canyon.
Summary
- Netflix has announced a new romantic drama.
- Like Bridgerton, it is based on a bestselling series of romance novels.
- The cast is already stacked with major Hollywood faces.
- Ransom Canyon has a 'Yellowstone meet Virgin River ' vibe.
- Filming began in January 2024.
Ransom Canyon is a romantic family drama that follows the intersecting lives of three ranching families in Texas.
Following in the footsteps of Bridgerton, creator/writer/executive producer April Blair based this star-studded show on a series of romance novels. The books, written by Jodi Thomas, are getting the Netflix treatment with a 10-episode series. Doubtless there will be more to come if the show proves a hit.
Big Names, Gorgeous Faces
Ransom Canyon is headlined by Josh Duhamel (Safe Haven; Love, Simon) as Staten Kirkland, a stoic old-school rancher who is resistant to the new ways threatening the land and his livelihood. He plays opposite Minka Kelly as Quinn O'Grady, a former concert pianist who has returned home and is looking for a new direction in life. Fans may remember Kelly as one of the breakout stars of the hit show Friday Night Lights.
Netflix recently announced three more great actors to the cast. Hollywood legend James Brolin (True Grit; No Country For Old Men) plays Cap, a strong-willed and salty ex-Army captain who lost his son in Afghanistan. Cap now runs Fuller Ranch, which is falling under disrepair as he faces pressure to sell.
You may also recognize Eoin Macken in the new lineup. Macken was a standout on the sci-fi series La Brea. Here he plays Davis Collins, the intelligent modern owner of the Bar W Ranch and Kirkland's rival in a love triangle with former pianist O'Grady.
Rounding out the cast is Lizzy Greene (A Million Little Things) as Lauren Brigman, Ransom's head cheerleader and daughter of its Sheriff. Ambitious and restless, Lauren is just waiting for the chance to leave Ransom Canyon in her rearview mirror.
How Is It Like Yellowstone?
Like Paramount's biggest hit, Ransom Canyon follows the intersecting lives of modern ranch families – the rivalries, the long histories, and the struggle to eke out a living on the land. Like Yellowstone, Ransom Canyon takes place in contemporary times but follows ranchers who are living an old-school way of life in an increasingly modern world.
How is it Like Virgin River?
While Yellowstone is full of high-stakes backstabbing, Ransom Canyon is more of a romantic drama. The major love story of this first season is between traditionalist rancher Staten Kirkland, ambitious modern rancher Davis Collins, and the artistic Quinn O'Grady.
If the show is anything like the books, Ransom Canyon will also echo Virgin River's love of small towns and living closer to the land.
When Can We See It?
The show has been in the works since 2021, when Netflix optioned all 11 of Jodi Thomas' Ransom Canyon romance novels. Thomas is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 100 titles to her name… so if the show is a success, we might be seeing a lot more shows about ranchers in love!
Ransom Canyon was originally set to begin production on September 12, 2023. The Hollywood strike moved the schedule back, but filming is underway as of January 2024. Amanda Marsalis (Ozark) is directing the first two episodes.
You can expect to see Ransom Canyon on your TV screens some time in 2025. In the meantime, if spoilers are what you desire, you can always check the first Ransom Canyon book out of your local library.