Ransom Canyon has become a runaway streaming hit for Netflix, but the popular show didn’t make it to the small screen without some backstage drama. The show’s female lead, Minka Kelly, had to fight for pay equality with its male lead, Josh Duhamel, before she even signed on for the project.
What Is Ranson Canyon?
Ransom Canyon is a modern-day Western set in Texas Hill Country. Based on a popular series of books by Jodi Thomas, Ransom Canyon focuses on a prominent local rancher named Staten Kirkland (Duhamel) — who has lost his son in a car accident and his wife to an illness — and a local business owner named Quinn O’Grady (Kelly).
They’ve been friends since high school, and he married her best friend, only to lose her. Staten and Quinn have always had romantic feelings for one another, which eventually turn into a tempestuous on-and-off romance in Season 1.
An energy company is also leaning on Kirkland and local business owners to gain controlling interest in both his land and the most prominent local businesses, and they’re getting help from Kirkland’s father, a senator who uses his position to fix what happens in Ransom Canyon to his own best benefit.
What Was the Salary Controversy Around Ransom Canyon?
When the show launched in April of 2025, Deadline reported that Kelly was the only actress who auditioned who was invited back for a “chemistry read” with Duhamel, who was cast first.
READ MORE: Who Is Charley Crockett? Get to Know the Singer From Ransom Canyon
When she won the role, the former Friday Night Lights star asked Netflix for pay parity with Duhamel, whose initial salary offer was considerably more.
Though she reportedly did not receive the same salary as Duhamel, Netflix did step up and make an offer that was “way above her previous earnings history,” according to Deadline, shrinking the pay gap between the series leads considerably.
“I think that’s probably one of the best things about working with Netflix, is that they’re very pro that,” Kelly tells Deadline. “So I didn’t have to fight very hard. They sort of made that easy. I feel really lucky to get to work with the company that does care about that.”
Will There Be a Season 2 of Ransom Canyon?
Netflix has not yet renewed Ransom Canyon for Season 2.
Duhamel appeared very confident about its chances in an interview with the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, telling host Amanda Hirsch, “I don’t know. I feel like it’s gonna happen.”
“It’s been doing well, but you know, it’s about completion,” he said. “People, they wanna see how many people are actually watching it and completing it.”
Duhamel also weighed in during an interview with Town & Country, sharing thoughts on a possible Season 2.
“I want it to feel unpredictable, raw, real, and interesting,” he said.
“I don’t know what they have planned,” he added. “They’ve been in the writer’s room now for a bit, so we’ll see.”
Ransom Canyon creator and showrunner April Blair also commented on the possibility of a Season 2, telling Deadline that her team is already “in the room” working on new ideas for a second season.
Meet the Hot Cowboys of Netflix’s ‘Ransom Canyon’
Ransom Canyon is heating up on Netflix after just one season. Based on a book by the same name, the show follows several ranchers in the Texas Hill Country. The show promises drama, as well as romance, as these ranchers and their family’s lives intersect.
Gallery Credit: Jess
Josh Duhamel as Staten Kirkland
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Josh Duhamel as Staten Kirkland
Duhamel stars in the series as Staten Kirkland, who is described as “steadfast and stoic.” He is the owner of the Double K Ranch, where he lives alone after losing his wife and son. Although grieving, he is slowly beginning to come around to love again — perhaps with Quinn (played by Minka Kelly).
Eoin Macken as Davis Collins
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Eoin Macken as Davis Collins
Davis Collins is charming and well-educated. Played by Eoin Macken, he is the owner of Bar W Ranch and a father to a son named Reid. He also happens to be Kirkland’s brother in-law. The two do not get along and often butt heads, especially over Kelly’s character Quinn.
Garrett Wareing as Lucas Russell
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Garrett Wareing as Lucas Russell
Wareing plays Lucas Russell, who works hard and has a good heart. His father left the family, leaving Russell and his brother Kit to fend for themselves in their trailer park home. So, he takes a job at Kirkland’s ranch. He also befriends Reid, despite the fact that they are both chasing the same girl, Lauren.
Jack Schumacher as Yancy Grey
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Jack Schumacher as Yancy Grey
Schumacher plays one of the ranch hands, Yancy Grey. Coming from a troubled past, Grey doesn’t want people to get to close to him. He works for Cap Fuller on his ranch and is quickly falling in love with Ellie, who comes by the ranch often to check on Fuller.
Andrew Liner as Reid Collins
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Andrew Liner as Reid Collins
Reid Collins — played by Andrew Liner — is both Collins’ son and Kirkland’s nephew. He likes to live life with a “nothing to lose” mindset after his cousin died in a car accident. Perhaps his big personality comes from the fact that he’s hiding a big secret.
James Brolin as Cap Fuller
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James Brolin as Cap Fuller
An ex-Army captain, Cap Fuller is now the owner of Fuller Ranch. Played by Brolin, Fuller is desperately trying to deal with his grief after losing his son in Afghanistan. His salty demeanor is sweetened by frequent visits from Ellie, who checks in on him. She is the daughter of one of his fellow soldiers who died in the line of duty.
Philip Winchester as Dan Brigman
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Philip Winchester as Dan Brigman
Winchester plays Sheriff Dan Brigman. In the midst of trying to keep the county in line, he also strives to keep his daughter Lauren away from the Russell brothers.
Justin John Cortez as Kai Flores
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Justin John Cortez as Kai Flores
Played by Cortez, Kai Flores is an officer serving under Sheriff Brigman. He is also friendly with Ellie.
Casey W. Johnson as Kit Russell
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Casey W. Johnson as Kit Russell
One of the Russell brothers, Kit is the older brother of Lucas. Played by Johnson, Kit has a hard time staying in line. However, his brother is always there to help fix things for him.
Nico Guardado as Tim OGrady
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Nico Guardado as Tim O’Grady
Guardado portrays Tim O’Grady on the show. He’s a close ride-or-die friend to Reid. He’s also Quinn’s nephew.
Tatanka Means as Jake Longbow
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Tatanka Means as Jake Longbow
Means plays Jake Longbow on the show. He’s Kirkland’s go-to man on the Double K Ranch.
Read More: ‘Ransom Canyon’ Star Minka Kelly Had to Fight for Pay Equality | https://tasteofcountry.com/ransom-canyon-minka-kelly-pay-equality/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
