Is Netflix’s ‘Ransom Canyon’ the New ‘Virgin River’? What the Cast Has Said About Those Comparisons (Exclusive)

Is Ransom Canyon the next Yellowstone or the new Virgin River? Depends on who you ask.

At first glance, Netflix’s foray into Westerns checks everything off our checklist from hot cowboys to feuding ranch families to love triangles. But just one episode in, Ransom Canyon makes it clear that they aren’t trying to compete with what came before.
Is Ransom Canyon the Next Virgin River

“It’s an honor to be held amongst shows that have such a legacy like Yellowstone, Virgin River and Friday Night Lights,” Garrett Wareing, who portrays the golden retriever coded Lucas Russell, exclusively shared ahead of the Thursday, April 17, premiere. “But what we bring to our show is a sense of not only that romance and love — but also that sense of grit and the drama that comes with that.”

Based on Jodi Thomas‘ book series, Ransom Canyon introduces Texas Hill Country where “everyone is running from something or running to something,” according to Josh Duhamel‘s Staten Kirkland. The 10-episode season kicks off with stoic rancher Staten grieving two major losses while navigating his undeniable connection to childhood friend Quinn (Minka Kelly), who has also caught the eye of Staten’s brother-in-law and love triangle rival Davis (Eoin Macken).

But the star-studded casting doesn’t stop there: James Brolin draws Us in before letting newcomers such as Wareing, Lizzy GreeneAndrew Liner (who are part of another addicting love triangle) and Jack Schumacher do the rest.

“[The goal] is to create something that isn’t a knockoff. It is something that exists on its own in its own world,” Schumacher a.k.a the mysterious newcomer Yancy Grey said while praising creator April Blair for prioritizing the “female gaze” on screen, to which Wareing, 23, added, “Our writers did a beautiful job at making it their own. I hope that the fans who loved these books for what they were also love our show for what it is. They’ll hopefully see parallels but also the newness.”

Schumacher continues: “The female gaze is more present here, which you don’t get in the vast majority of westerns and I’m a huge fan of the genre. Nowadays you have to be living under a rock not to know about Yellowstone and all the spinoffs. They’re so great. Then you have the more romantic side of it, which is shows like Virgin River.”

Duhamel, 52, couldn’t agree more about how Ransom Canyon speaks for itself. “I really related to [my character] in a lot of ways,” he shared with Us. “Because it’s all about his land, legacy, taking care of family, preserving what his family built over the years.”
Ransom Canyon is the newest addition to the growing selection of Western TV shows. Yellowstone kicked Us off when it premiered in 2018 and has since expanded with spinoffs such as 1883, 1923 and The Madison were picked up by the network.
Spring TV Preview:

Netflix, which is also home to cozy romance series Virgin River, initially followed suit with American Primeval, which felt more historic than cowboy chic. Ransom Canyon is the perfect compromise while mixing drama, romance and adventure set against the backdrop of a contemporary western saga.

Related articles

FINALLY! Mel and Jack’s Epic “Virgin River” Wedding Unveiled: Love, Tears, and Shocking Cliffhangers!

After six seasons and 64 episodes of heart-wrenching twists and turns, the moment “Virgin River” fans have been desperately waiting for has finally arrived: Mel Monroe and…

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? 👀❗ Virgin River Cast’s Real-Life Love Stories Revealed – Including On-Screen Sweethearts Dating IRL!

The curtain has risen on Virgin River Season 6, bringing with it the heartwarming romance and gripping drama we’ve all been waiting for. But what if we…

VIRGIN RIVER SEASON 7: Mel & Jack’s Next Chapter, Shocking Twists, and All the Cast News So Far!

Virgin River fans, rejoice! The highly anticipated Season 7 of Virgin River is officially underway, and it promises to bring even more heartwarming moments, shocking twists, and…

Why Virgin River’s Setting Is the Heart of the Series — And What Season 7 Will Reveal About This Beloved Town

When you think of Virgin River, it’s not just the characters or their relationships that come to mind. The town itself — with its breathtaking landscapes and…

Virgin River Season 7 Spoilers: A New Chapter, Big Changes, and Life-Altering Revelations Await!

As fans gear up for the highly anticipated Season 7 of Virgin River, one question is on everyone’s mind: what’s next for the beloved residents of this…

CALLUM KERR RETURNS TO VIRGIN RIVER SEASON 7—BUT THE PREQUEL IS STILL ON ICE!

It’s a bittersweet moment for Virgin River fans. While we’re getting more flashbacks in Season 7, the long-awaited prequel spinoff is still nowhere to be seen. Here’s…