In a delightful surprise for fans, Dan Reynolds, the frontman of Imagine Dragons, made a cameo appearance in the latest Netflix series, Ransom Canyon, which stars his girlfriend, Minka Kelly. The episode, which premiered on April 17, 2025, features Reynolds, 37, in a scene alongside actors Josh Duhamel and Eoin Macken, who play brothers-in-law Staten and Davis, respectively. Although Reynolds did not interact with Kelly in the scene, her excitement about his appearance was palpable.
Kelly, 44, expressed her joy about Reynolds' participation, saying, "He was such a good sport about the cameo and down to play." While discussing the experience, she noted how the show's producers and writers quickly grew fond of him, stating, "He came to visit and everyone, all the producers and writers, just naturally fell in love with him, like you do. It’s easy to love Dan." Duhamel, 52, echoed this sentiment, praising Reynolds' talent and commenting on how he quickly overcame his initial nerves during filming. "He’s an amazingly talented dude on many different fronts," Duhamel said. "It takes one or two or three, maybe a couple, scenes, and all those nerves go away."
The romance between Kelly and Reynolds began to attract attention in late 2022, shortly after Reynolds' split from his wife, Aja Volkman, following a decade-long marriage. In a heartfelt tweet, Reynolds announced the end of his marriage, saying, "After 7 beautiful years together, Aja and I’s marriage has come to an end. Our children continue to be the most important thing in our lives, & we will continue to coparent them with all our love. I ask that you please respect our privacy at this time as we work through this as a family."
Reports indicated that Kelly and Reynolds were enjoying each other's company, with a source telling Us Weekly in December 2022, "These are obviously early days for Minka and Dan but it’s going great and they’re both incredibly happy. Being back on the singles’ scene after long relationships has been a challenging adjustment for each of them, so they’re taking their time and easing into it as opposed to running before they can walk, so to speak. But so far, so good, and they’re having fun, getting along great."
Reynolds was not the only surprise cameo in Ransom Canyon. Duhamel revealed that his wife, Audra Mari, also filmed a scene for the show that ultimately did not make it to the final cut. "My wife was on the show too. Yeah, she did a cameo," Duhamel shared with People on April 18, 2025. "She was [Eoin Macken’s character] Davis’ girlfriend [that] he brought to the party, but they cut her out! Poor thing." Duhamel humorously recounted how Mari had gone through extensive hair and makeup preparations before being cut from the show.
Ransom Canyon is based on Jodi Thomas' book series and is set in Texas Hill Country. The storyline follows Duhamel's character, Staten Kirkland, who is grappling with significant personal losses while trying to navigate his complex feelings for childhood friend Quinn, played by Kelly. Quinn finds herself in a love triangle with Staten and Davis, adding layers of drama to the narrative.
Despite the behind-the-scenes challenges, Kelly and Reynolds' relationship appears to be thriving. The couple has been spotted together on multiple occasions, including a casual lunch in Los Angeles earlier this year and a romantic outing at a UFC fight night in Las Vegas in June 2024. Their public appearances have been marked by warmth and affection, further fueling interest in their relationship.
In a previous interview, Reynolds shared how he and Kelly first connected through a mutual friend shortly after his divorce. Their bond deepened as they began sharing their creative passions. "She’s like, ‘Well, if you’re going to share your art, I can share something with you, but it’s very vulnerable for me,’" he recounted to People in July 2024. "She was very scared for me to read the book because we hadn’t met, just as much as I was scared for her to hear a song that I’d written.”
As their relationship continues to blossom, fans of both Reynolds and Kelly are eager to see where their journey leads. With Reynolds' cameo in Ransom Canyon receiving positive feedback, it seems that their collaboration—both on and off-screen—has struck a chord with audiences. The show itself, which is currently streaming on Netflix, has garnered attention for its engaging storyline and strong performances.
As the couple navigates their personal and professional lives, it’s clear that Minka Kelly and Dan Reynolds are not just making headlines for their romance but also for their individual talents and contributions to the entertainment industry. With Reynolds' musical career and Kelly's acting prowess, they both continue to captivate fans, proving that love can flourish amidst the challenges of public life.
For those interested in catching Reynolds' cameo, Ransom Canyon is available for streaming, offering a mix of drama, romance, and a glimpse into the lives of its compelling characters. Fans are left wondering what the future holds for this dynamic couple, as they continue to support each other's careers while building a life together.
