Production for the second season of Netflix’s romantic Western “Ransom Canyon“ is now underway, bringing significant updates directly from its stars. Lead actress Minka Kelly confirmed the new season will have a tighter, more focused story, moving from ten to eight episodes. The production has also relocated from Texas to New Mexico and is set to introduce new characters while seeing the departure of two key figures from Season 1.
A More Focused Storyline
Minka Kelly, who plays Quinn O’Grady, recently shared key details about the upcoming season while promoting her new Netflix movie, Champagne Problems. She confirmed that Season 2 will consist of eight episodes, a reduction from the ten episodes of the first season.
Kelly explained that this change has a positive impact on the storytelling. She stated that having fewer episodes forced the writers to “tighten up all the storylines,” making the season feel “jam-packed with so much.” She also teased that the new season will feature “a lot more levity,” providing a welcome balance to the dramatic and heavy moments that defined much of the first season.
New Faces and Familiar Places
The cast of “Ransom Canyon” is seeing some notable changes for the new season. While Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly are returning as the central couple, Staten and Quinn, two main cast members from Season 1 will not be back as series regulars.
Eoin Macken (Davis Collins) and Andrew Liner (Reid Collins) are confirmed to have exited the series. Their departure is sure to shift the dynamic of the show’s central love triangles and family conflicts.
They will be replaced by several new recurring stars. Most notably, Steve Howey (Shameless, Reba) has joined the cast as Levi, Staten’s half-brother, who is described as “a mountain man of sorts who lives off the land.” Additionally, three-time Emmy Award winner Patricia Clarkson has been cast as Claire O’Grady, Quinn’s mother. The cast also expands to include Ben Robson (Animal Kingdom) and Heidi Engerman (Candyland) in undisclosed recurring roles.
Other returning cast members include Lizzy Greene (Lauren Brigman), Garrett Wareing (Lucas Russell), Jack Schumacher (Yancy Grey), and Marianly Tejada (Ellie Catawnee). Furthermore, Casey W. Johnson, who played Kit Russell in a recurring capacity in Season 1, has been promoted to a series regular for Season 2.
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Production Details and Release Window
Filming for the new season began in September 2025. Instead of filming in Texas, the production has moved to New Mexico, shooting in locations such as Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, and Nambé. The governor of New Mexico noted that the production is a significant project, employing over 700 New Mexicans and is scheduled to wrap up filming in January 2026.
Given the production timeline, no specific premiere date has been set. However, reports suggest that fans can likely expect to return to Ransom Canyon in late 2026 or early 2027.
What to Expect in the New Season
The first season ended with several cliffhangers. Quinn accepted a six-month position with the New York Philharmonic, leaving her relationship with Staten in a precarious state. Showrunner April Blair had previously confirmed that a time jump was planned for Season 2, which aligns with Quinn’s six-month departure.
The beauty of ‘Ransom Canyon’ is Ransom Canyon,” Blair said. “If we started in New York, I’m not sure it would be the same show. So I think we’re going to pick up when Quinn returns home after her stint in New York.”
Other storylines left unresolved include the surprise appearance of a woman claiming to be Yancy’s wife just as he was about to marry Ellie, and the aftermath of Sheriff Brigman arresting his own wife, Margaret, for her role in the death of Staten’s son.
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