If you thought Season 1 of Ransom Canyon was overflowing with drama, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The Texas-set series led by Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel returns for Season 2 with even higher stakes, as the residents of the small town find themselves tangled in battles over land, long-simmering family rivalries, and, of course, plenty of will they, won’t they romance. Gallop over to Netflix to watch Season 2, now streaming.
“We had these three tenets of Ransom Canyon’s first season: land, love, and legacy,” says series creator April Blair. “All of our stories come from those three questions: Who do you love? What does this land — this home — mean to you?”
So where does Season 2 find our characters on their journey? When musician and dance hall owner Quinn O’Grady’s (Kelly) returns to Ransom after six months spent in New York City, rancher Staten Kirkland (Duhamel) springs into action in an attempt to right his wrongs and win her back. “We had to grow up a bit and live separate lives,” Kelly says of Staten and Quinn’s parting at the end of Season 1.
Their push-and-pull romance gets even more complicated when a new suitor, Oliver (Ben Robson), follows Quinn down south, making his own bid for her heart while Quinn still feels pulled to Staten in a thousand different ways. “Sometimes it’s hard to explain when there’s just a cosmic, lifelong connection,” Kelly adds.
When it comes to land and legacy, the fight is also far from over: Staten finds himself locked in a power struggle with his father, Sam (Brett Cullen), over the future of Double K ranch. “His dad never really took an interest in the ranch. Staten learned everything about the ranch from his grandfather,” says Duhamel. “Sam’s making some dumb decisions.”
This isn’t the only trouble being stirred up by a parent this season — acting icon Patricia Clarkson has joined the cast as Claire, Quinn’s mom, who comes back to town with questionable intentions, including a plan to sell the family home right from under Quinn.
Staten, Quinn, and their families certainly aren’t the only ones facing complicated emotions this season. Below, check in with the residents of Ransom Canyon — from the longtime ranchers and Quinn’s dance hall crew to the younger generation still figuring out where they belong.
The main players
Josh Duhamel
The steadfast rancher Staten Kirkland starts Season 2 on the back foot both personally and professionally. For one, his father, Sam, has decided to wrest control of the Double K Ranch, forcing Staten to fight to find where he belongs in the family business. “Staten and his dad have butted heads since he was a kid, so when Sam decides to take over, it really throws a wrench into our relationship,” Duhamel says of his character. “We’re both two very stubborn men, and we like things done our own way.”
Then there’s the matter of Staten’s lost love, Quinn, who has only recently returned to Ransom Canyon after chasing her dreams in New York City’s music scene. But Quinn’s homecoming has an unexpected complication: The man she met and fell for during her time away shows up in Ransom Canyon too, leaving Staten with a new challenge.
“Love is at the forefront this season, and it’s really about people fighting to figure out how to be with the person they want to be with,” says Blair. “When Quinn comes back, Staten realizes, ‘I should have fought harder. I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.’”
Minka Kelly
In Season 2, Quinn O’Grady is trying to recalibrate her place in her hometown. She’s returned from New York City after working with the New York Philharmonic as a concert pianist, and is eager to revitalize Ransom’s tradition of music with the No Place Like Home festival, headlined by real-life country superstars Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis.
Quinn’s romantic life — including a love triangle between her, Staten, and Oliver — proves to be a little distracting. “It’s interesting how life can be sometimes, especially as a woman. You take the time to choose yourself and chase your dreams, and when you’ve chosen to be done with men, they all just seem to not be able to get enough,” Kelly says of her character.
Quinn’s also got family issues brewing — she’s thrown for a loop when her unpredictable mother, Claire (Patricia Clarkson), turns up in town with plans to sell the house out from under her and her sister, Angie (Lauren Glazer). “Claire comes to town, and she’s a little Postcards From the Edge meets The Notebook. What is she doing to mess things up now?” says Blair. “We find out there are some secrets from the past.”
