Netflix series, “Ransom Canyon,” a romance-fueled family drama and contemporary Western saga has officially begun filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this Friday, confirms New Mexico Film Office Director Amber Dodson. The series will be filming in and around Albuquerque and Las Vegas through June 2024.
The production of this 10-episode series will employ over 700 New Mexicans – 380 crew members, 40 principal actors, and 300 background talent.
April Blair (“Wednesday”) created, wrote, and executive produced Ransom Canyon, a romance-fueled family drama and modern Western story that follows the intersecting lives of three ranching families in the harsh expanse of Texas Hill Country. The first two episodes will be directed by Amanda Marsalis (“Ozark”).
"We're thrilled to welcome another ambitious Netflix production to the Land of Enchantment,” Dodson stated. “This single film will employ 700 New Mexicans, proving Netflix’s commitment to create jobs and foster economic output in New Mexico, while showcasing the beauty and talent of our state to a global audience."
The series stars Josh Duhamel (“Transformers”), Minka Kelly (“Euphoria”), James Brolin (“Sweet Tooth”), Eoin Macken (“La Brea”), Lizzy Greene (“A Million Little Things”), Marianly Tejada (“One of Us is Lying”), Jack Schumacher (“Top Gun: Maverick”), Garrett Wareing (“Manifest”), Andrew Liner (“Vampire Academy”), Jaren Robledo (“Rez Ball”), Casey W. Johnson (“For All Mankind”), Jennifer Ens (“Chapelwaite”), Brett Cullen (“Winning Time”), Kate Burton (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Niko Guardado (“Party of Five”), Philip Winchester (“Chicago Justice”), Justin Johnson Cortez (“Walker: Independence”), and Kenneth Miller (“The Cleaning Lady”).
Josh Duhamel will lead the series as the stubborn, stoic Staten Kirkland, the owner and solitary inhabitant of the huge Double K Ranch. Staten leads the battle against the outside forces that threaten his way of life and the country he cherishes. Minka Kelly portrays Quinn O'Grady, who has frequently found herself in the shadow of others. After spending time in New York pursuing a career as a concert pianist, Quinn has returned to Ransom Canyon to forge a new path.
James Brolin plays Cap, a brazen ex-Army captain, and Fuller Ranch's obstinate owner. After losing his only son in Afghanistan, Cap buried his grief in work and the odd drink, while his once-renowned ranch fell into disarray. Cap, resisting the urge to sell, employs a new foreman, Yancy Grey, and is eager to tell the young guy what he is doing wrong. Cap is about as salty as they get, and the only thing keeping him in line is Ellie, the daughter of a fallen brother-in-arms, who checks in on him every now and again.
Eoin Macken plays Davis Collins, the suave, Ivy League-educated proprietor of the contemporary Bar W Ranch. Unlike his rival, Staten Kirkland Davis intends to capitalize on the rich aquifer beneath Ransom's ranchland. However, this isn't the first time Staten and Davis have disagreed. The Kirkland and Collins families, Ransom's two largest landowners, have feuded for decades. Davis and Staten share more than just their strong feelings against the water project; they have both fallen hard for the alluring Quinn O'Grady (Kelly), a lavender farmer and proprietor of the local dancehall in Ransom.
Lizzy Greene portrays Lauren Brigman, Ransom Canyon's ambitious head cheerleader. Lauren, the daughter of the town sheriff and girlfriend of arrogant quarterback Reid Collins, looks to be having her best life, but her true desire is to leave this little town behind. Lauren must balance her conservative father's wish for her to remain in Ransom while pursuing her dream of joining the UT Austin cheerleading squad. Her sole solace comes in the shape of a new, unexpected love interest: Lucas Russell, a kindhearted underdog from the other side of the tracks whom her father and friends do not support.
Marianly Tejada will play Ellie Estevez. Ellie is the embodiment of "Do no harm, but take no shit," especially when it comes to resident curmudgeon Cap, whom she cares about. Ellie is young, hungry, and determined to leave her imprint on Ransom Canyon. She has no interest in settling down with a love partner, at least not yet, so she is taken aback when she meets a strange newcomer Yancy.
Jack Schumacher plays Yancy Grey, a charismatic yet enigmatic vagabond with a mysterious and turbulent history. No one knows anything about Yancy, and he'd prefer to keep it that way, but his history catches up with him as he struggles to conceal it from Ellie, Cap, and the community he's beginning to call home.
Garrett Wareing portrays Lucas Russell. While working at the Double K Ranch to support his family, Lucas is constantly on the outside looking in. He's determined to have a better future than Ransom Canyon can provide, and he has the intelligence and work ethic to get there. This perspective exactly matches head cheerleader Lauren's desire to leave Ransom, and the two realize that this isn't the only wish they share.
Andrew Liner portrays Reid Collins. Reid, the top quarterback at Ransom High, Lauren's boyfriend, and heir to the Collins family ranch, looks to have the perfect life, balancing confidence and cockiness. He was distraught when his cousin was murdered in a car accident, but he refuses to let it stop him from living life to the fullest as a 16-year-old with nothing to lose. Behind the pompous veneer, however, is a kind, emotional youngster who wants to be loved and has a secret that haunts him.