Move over Kevin Costner and Yellowstone, there’s a new Western-themed drama headed to town.
Netflix announced it is developing a ranching family series titled Ransom Canyon, in what appears to be an attempt to capitalize on the success of Costner’s Yellowstone.
The streaming giant described the show as ‘charting the intersecting lives of three ranching families, all set against the rugged expanse of Texas Hill Country.’
Based on the contemporary romance book series, Jodi Thomas’ Ransom Canyon, the show is set to star Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly and has 10 episodes planned for its first season.
The new series is also being compared to another popular romance show based on a series of books called Virgin River, which also has a home on Netflix.
Netflix announced it is developing a ranching family series titled Ransom Canyon starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly; both seen in 2021
The new series appears to be an attempt to capitalize on the success of Costner’s Yellowstone
‘It’s a multi-generational family show set on a ranch, and we say it’s Virgin River meets Yellowstone,’ Jinny Howe, Netflix’s Head of Drama, Development, told Deadline in August 2022.
Howe added: ‘It’s a contemporary Western romance show, just looking for more in this comfort romance space.
‘We think that it’s going to deliver on all the romance and again it will be a really beautiful vista and setting, very escapist.’
Duhamel’s character, the ‘steadfast and stoic’ Staten Kirkland, owns and operates the Double K Ranch and wants to protect it from outside forces attempting to destroy his way of life. per Netflix.
Kelly will play Quinn, who returns to Ransom Canyon after pursuing a career as a concert pianist in the Big Apple.
The announcement comes as Yellowstone has emerged as Paramount Network’s top-performing series, attracting a whopping 7 million live viewers per episode during the first part of Season 5.
Its success has sparked the development of several spinoffs and hinted at a potential comeback for the Western genre on television.
Given the ongoing development of multiple spinoffs by creator Taylor Sheridan for Paramount+, it remains uncertain whether Ransom Canyon can match the success of a well-established franchise.
The new series is also being compared to another popular romance show based on a series of books called Virgin River, which also has a home on Netflix
‘It’s a multi-generational family show set on a ranch, and we say it’s Virgin River meets Yellowstone,’ Jinny Howe, Netflix’s Head of Drama, Development, told Deadline in August 2022
Howe added: ‘It’s a contemporary Western romance show, just looking for more in this comfort romance space. We think that it’s going to deliver on all the romance and again it will be a really beautiful vista and setting, very escapist.’
The Ransom Canyon book series comprises 10 books.
Netflix’s Season 1 TV adaptation takes inspiration from the first one, the 2015 release titled Ransom Canyon.
The series is created by executive producer April Blair, whose previous TV credits include The CW’s All American, Hart of Dixie and Reign; Max’s Gossip Girl reboot, and Netflix’s Wednesday and You.
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