Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly of Ransom Canyon Respond to Comparisons with Yellowstone.
Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly, stars of Netflix's Ransom Canyon, have addressed comparisons between their show and Yellowstone. While acknowledging that both series share a Western theme, Minka Kelly emphasized that Ransom Canyon is "its own entirely different world," focusing on human connections and community.
Josh Duhamel highlighted the show's relatability, particularly the deep-rooted history and conflicts within small-town dynamics. The series, based on Jodi Thomas's books, explores the lives of three ranching families in Texas Hill Country, blending themes of family, romance, betrayal, and resilience
"I guess they're both in the same sandbox, but I think Ransom is a totally different thing," Minka exclusively shared. "It's its own entirely different world."
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 17 (June 9 – Sept 6, 2025) today for early bird discounts. Do annual for access to Blucera.com.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register to become a better CEO or Director with Tekedia CEO & Director Program.
While the costars tipped their cowboy hats to the Montana based series which ended with its dramatic finale last December, they made it clear that Ransom Canyon out April 17 will emphasize "how human we all are" in its own right.
As for what fans can see from Josh's rancher Staten Kirkland and Minka's dancehall owner and longtime family friend Quinn O'Grady?
The series which is based on a series of books by Jodi Thomas follows three competing ranching families in a small Texas Hill Country town, where secrets are dredged up as their community must confront outside forces set on destroying their way of life.
"It's family, it's romance, beautiful landscapes, it's cowboys, it's horses," Minka explained. "It's love, loss and betrayal. You're watching these characters find purpose and come into their own power."
And in many ways, she admitted that there are bits of Friday Night Lights in the show's vibe. In fact, she said that Quinn mirrors her character from the teen drama. As she put it, "This is like Lyla Garrity 20 years later."
Josh Duhamel, reflecting on Ransom Canyon, highlighted its relatability as one of its defining charms. He noted that the dynamics of hometown drama, regardless of the town's size, often make conflicts feel intensely personal and close-knit. This sentiment ties into the show's exploration of deep-rooted histories and tensions between families, where past grievances resurface despite efforts to mend relationships.
It seems like the series is aiming to capture the essence of small-town life with all its complexities.
"These things keep coming up," he continued. "No matter how much you try to mend those fences, there's so much history there that it's hard to fix the past. No matter how hard you try, something seems to come up."
