"Yellowstone meets Virgin River": Fans are calling Netflix's Ransom Canyon a perfect cross between the two shows

Netflix's new country-themed series, Ransom Canyon, will be released on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The ten-episode series starring Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel is set in a small town in Texas. The series explores the lives of three ranching families as they navigate through love, legacy, personal, and communal challenges.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the interviewer asked Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly about how their upcoming show seems to be an amalgamation of John Linson and Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone and Sue Tenney's Virgin River. She asked,

"Fans are saying this is giving Yellowstone meets Virgin River."

Josh Duhamel, the same in an interview with ET, replied,

"I am okay with it. I think it's great. I love the idea that it is about ranching families doing it for generations."

Josh Duhamel continued as he mentioned the major themes of Ransom Canyon,

"It's about love and the complication, it's about the land and the legacy that brings and all that stuff I love."

Minka Kelly, who plays Quinn O'Grady, told ET,

"It's about all these characters finding their purpose. It's about all the more complex human relationships."

This impression comes from the fact that the trailer teases a unique balance of the heart of Virgin River and the resilience of Yellowstone. Josh Duhamel plays the role of a rancher and a widower, Staten Kirkland, who is determined to protect his family farm and legacy. On the other hand, Minka Kelly plays Quinn O'Grady, the owner of a dance hall and Staten's family friend, who returns to the small town, and there seems to be a romance between the two.

However, their complex relationship is stirred up when a mysterious and hot cowboy enters the scenario, unraveling past secrets and rivalries.

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Why is Ransom Canyon a perfect cross between Yellowstone and Virgin River?

Ransom Canyon is a perfect cross between Yellowstone and Virgin River as it contains elements from both shows.

The upcoming cowboy show features land disputes, power struggles, and an urge to fight for the family legacy, which is quite similar to Yellowstone's plot – the Duttons protecting their ranch in Montana from encroachers and harsh weather conditions.

On the other hand, the show also delves into the small town narrative, slow living, community life, and romantic engagements, which are the major themes of Virgin River.

Thus, Ransom Canyon brings a unique perspective to the viewers by mixing the gripping drama of Yellowstone and the tender human emotions of Virgin River.

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The cast of Ransom Canyon

Based on the book series by Jodi Thomas, even though the story is set in Texas, the filming of Ransom Canyon took place in New Mexico. This contemporary Western drama features a star-studded cast. Apart from Josh Duhamel, who plays Staten Kirkland, and Minka Kelly, who plays Quinn O'Grady, the cast features:

• James Brolin as Cap Fuller
• Tatanka Means as Jake Longbow
• Jack Schumacher as Yancy Grey
• Eoin Macken as Davis Collins
• Lizzy Greene as Lauren Brigman
• Meta Golding as Paula Jo
• Casey W. Johnson as Kit Russell
• Jennifer Ens as Ashley
• Kate Burton as Katherine Bullock
• Philip Winchester as Sheriff Dan Brigman
• Kenneth Miller as Freddie
• Hubert Smielecki as Randall
• Niko Guardado as Tim O' Grady
• Justin Johnson Cortez as Kai Flores
• Brett Culle as Senator Samuel
• Jaren K. Robledo as Jack Yellowbird
• Garrett Wareing as Lucas Russell
• Andrew Liner as Reid Collins
• Marianly Tejada as Ellie Estevez
• Jack Cain as Teen Staten
• Maia Kai as Teen Quinn

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Also read: Ransom Canyon: Release date news, cast details, streaming details and more about Netflix's upcoming romantic western series adaptation

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