EXCLUSIVE: Ransom Canyon is making casting changes ahead of its second season.
Eoin Macken and Andrew Liner, who played the father-son duo, Davis and Reid Collins, in Season 1, will not return as series regulars for Season 2, sources tell Deadline. Netflix declined to comment.
Macken joined the show in the role of Davis, the charming, Ivy-educated owner of the modern Bar W Ranch. Unlike his counterpart, Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel), Davis is intent on capitalizing on the invaluable aquifer running below Ransom’s ranch land. But this is far from the first issue that Staten and Davis have butted heads over. The two biggest landowners in Ransom, the Kirkland and Collins families, have been feuding for generations. But passionate stances on the water pipeline aren’t the only thing Davis and Staten share — both have fallen hard for the beguiling Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), lavender farmer and owner of the local dancehall in Ransom.
Liner as Reid Collins, who toes the line between confident and cocky. Reid seemingly has the perfect life as the star quarterback of Ransom High, Lauren’s boyfriend, and heir to the Collins family ranch. He was devastated when his cousin was killed in a car accident, but he didn’t let that stop him from living life to the fullest as a 16-year-old with nothing to lose. Behind the arrogant exterior, though, lies a caring, emotional boy eager to be loved and with a secret that’s haunting him.
Created, written and executive produced by April Blair based on Jodi Thomas’ book series, Ransom Canyon is a romance-fueled family drama and contemporary western saga that charts the intersecting lives of three ranching families, all set against the rugged expanse of Texas Hill Country.
At the center of it all is stoic rancher Staten Kirkland (Duhamel), who is healing from heartbreaking loss and on a quest for vengeance. Staten’s only glimmer of hope rests in the eyes and heart of Quinn O’Grady (Kelly), longtime family friend and owner of the local dancehall. But as the battle to save Ransom wages on, a mysterious cowboy drifts into town, dredging up secrets from the past. Vise tightening, Staten fights to protect the land he calls home, and the only love that can pull him back from the demons that haunt him.
The official Season 2 logline reads, Passions run deep in Ransom Canyon, where three ranching family dynasties reignite a generations-long feud over love, land, and legacy in their small, West-Texas town. Production on the Western’s sophomore season is currently underway in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Additional returning cast includes Lizzy Greene, Garrett Wareing, Jack Schumacher, Marianly Tejada, and Casey W. Johnson, the latter of whom was promoted to series regular ahead of Season 2.
The series has also added Ben Robson and Heidi Engerman in recurring roles. We hear Robson will play Oliver, a big city love interest for Quinn O’Grady, and Engerman as Sydney, a larger-than-life character who is not to be underestimated.