Netflix has made a name for itself with expensive, show-stopper shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game, racking up awards through dramas such as The Crown and Beef. However, its newest comfort drama, Ransom Canyon, is a craveable escapist adventure for those trying to distract themselves from increasing grocery prices and nonstop news intake. Cowboys and small-town shenanigans make this new series instantly addictive, and its rustic charm centers a world that fans will want to stay inside for as long as possible.
Ransom Canyon may be more easily comparable to the likes of Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias, but this Western soap is another stellar example of Netflix's growing library of cozy dramas that deserve more attention.
The series premiered on April 17, 2025, and centers around Texas ranchers struggling to maintain their rustic way of life in the modern era. Josh Duhamel stars as Staten Kirkland, a widower trying to save his ranch as well as his hometown from the clutches of the evil Austin Water & Power, all while dealing with his personal grief. The only ray of light in Staten's life is Quinn O'Grady, played by Minka Kelly, a lavender farmer who also happens to be his late wife's best friend. Despite their emotionally fraught past, Staten can’t stay away from Quinn, even though he can’t bring himself to give her the relationship she desires.
Staten and Quinn's relationship is complicated by Staten's brother-in-law, Davis, portrayed by Eoin Macken, who is already in bed with Austin Water & Power and wouldn’t mind cozying up with Quinn either. The two ranchers go head-to-head in more ways than one as new arrivals in town and old family secrets threaten the future of the entire canyon.
The main appeal of Ransom Canyon lies in its ability to cater to a variety of viewer preferences. There's the central love triangle for romance trope lovers, complete with a big storm/power outage episode that changes everything. For more idealistic viewers, there's a young love subplot involving high schoolers Lauren (Lizzy Greene) and Lucas (Garrett Wareing). There's also crime drama, as Staten struggles to understand the full scope of a recent family tragedy. Warring family and ranch drama unfolds as Austin Water & Power pits ranchers against each other in their quest for land to build a controversial pipeline. Adding to the intrigue is a mysterious stranger in town whose backstory changes with every new person he encounters. And yes, in true Western soap fashion, there is a big group line dance number that does not disappoint.
Ransom Canyon is also steamier than other shows in Netflix's "cozy drama" catalog. It boasts great vistas like Virgin River, southern charm like Sweet Magnolias, and wild family secrets like Ginny & Georgia. Series creator April Blair makes sure to emphasize the female gaze, delivering Bridgerton-level love scenes and plenty of slow-motion horse-wrangling scenes for future TikTok and Tumblr thirst edits. Balancing so many genres and subplots can turn a show into a mess very quickly, but Ransom Canyon makes it work. The storylines have enough room to breathe on their own, but the writers also connect them enough to ensure each plot feeds into or supports another.
Everyone has something to do, and you feel invested in each individual journey, whether it’s the main adults like Staten and Quinn or the high school lovebirds Lauren and Lucas. Each character has their part to play, and they do it like a well-rehearsed ensemble, which allows Ransom Canyon to seriously shine.
Josh Duhamel has had many phases to his career, from rom-com heartthrob to military dude, but Ransom Canyon argues that a weary cowboy is the role he was born to play. He leans into stoic and grouchy territory as Staten Kirkland, and he’s never been hotter than when he’s jumping on and off horses and herding cattle. In less adept hands, Staten Kirkland could come off as an emotionally stunted jerk, but Duhamel makes Staten’s quiet suffering feel palpable and intriguing. Even when it’s obvious that Quinn should stay far away from him, Duhamel ensures the audience understands why she can’t.
The best love triangles only work when all sides can make their case. Duhamel shines because Macken is also bringing his A-game to Staten's foil, Davis. He’s cavalier and charming, while Staten is reserved and brooding. Davis would be the perfect guy if he could ditch the chip on his shoulder, and his dichotomy with Staten when the two should really be best friends is one of the most intriguing parts of the show.
Philip Winchester may not be on the series poster, but he’s a scene-stealer as the county sheriff and Lauren’s overprotective father. He’s fighting demons just like Staten, but has less latitude to allow him to act out. Winchester has an equally astute scene partner in Lizzy Greene as the sheriff’s daughter, Lauren, a headstrong cheerleader in the throes of young love while trying to establish independence from her parents’ toxic dynamic.
For years, the cozy drama genre has been dominated by Hallmark and Lifetime, but Netflix has been working hard to produce well-made, reasonably budgeted shows. They don’t bring in the headlines like Stranger Things or Wednesday, nor do they get the recognition of more prestigious offerings like Ozark, but they are a valuable and important part of the Netflix catalog. There’s an entirely separate essay to be written about how shows like Virgin River and Ginny & Georgia don’t get the due they deserve because they primarily attract female audiences.
It’s unlikely that Ransom Canyon will break that troubling pattern, but it should be enough for people to notice the quality, quantity, and high entertainment value of these dramas on Netflix. Ransom Canyon represents the best of what TV has to offer in so many ways. There’s solid acting across the board, it looks beautiful, and most importantly, it allows the audience to blissfully escape into another world for an hour at a time.
Though it may not be the flashiest show on Netflix or the biggest title being released this month, it’s arguably the most fun as an engaging drama with characters you can, and want to, root for. It’s also a show that Netflix could easily continue making for years to come, rather than becoming another flash in the pan after two or three seasons. In this emotionally fraught economy, Ransom Canyon is a worthy investment of your time and energy, and there’s really no better endorsement than that.
Ransom Canyon premiered on April 17 on Netflix.
