Josh Duhamel saddles up for ‘Ransom Canyon’
Duhamel stars as Staten Kirkland, a successful rancher traumatized by the tragic loss of his wife and son. As Kirkland struggles with depression and sorrow, he also competes with rival ranching fam…
In “Ransom Canyon,” set among 3,000 acres of Texas Hill Country, Josh Duhamel has a role that in many ways mirrors his life off the grid.
He stars as Staten Kirkland, a successful rancher traumatized by the tragic loss of his wife and son. As Kirkland struggles with depression and sorrow, he also competes with rival ranching family dynasties for control of the land.
And there are outside forces determined to destroy this way of life. Solace comes via longtime family friend, local dancehall owner Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly).
Duhamel, 52, said “Ransom Canyon” immediately struck several chords.
“I like to play characters that are really flawed — and this guy is pretty flawed, pretty broken, pretty surly. Especially in the beginning.
“He’s been hiding out, just trying to get it together. The show begins on his first time out of the house in a while. He sees faces that he’s known forever, some that actually helped him through this.
“But now as a guy who’s all about family and legacy and the land, he’s got a different perspective on things.
“When I first talked to (screenwriter, executive producer) April Blair about this, I was out in my cabin in the woods. It’s not Texas Hill Country, but it’s the same idea. We live in North Dakota, so that’s about as far from Hollywood as you can get.
“I was out there on my tractor, just out doing whatever, and I talked to her, and it just felt like the right move.
“It turns out I was right. I’ve had the best time making the show! I think people will find it an ‘easy watch,’ like comfort food in a way.
“It’s pretty straightforward. But it’s also pretty complicated, as things can get in small towns like this.”
Duhamel doesn’t have to work hard to look like a rancher but how easy was it galloping across those hills on his horse?
“Growing up in North Dakota, I did a fair amount of riding but I hadn’t been on a horse for years. So we had this cowboy camp where you get assigned a horse. Mine was JC, and it’s the first time I really felt connected to my horse.
“Before this I never looked forward to horseback riding. I liked doing it, but it wasn’t something I went out of my way to do. But this time was different.
“I really did develop a relationship with this horse. I trusted that he was going to do what I asked him to do. And I think he trusted me. It was really kind the most fun I had on the show.”
Netflix streams all 10 episodes of “Ransom Canyon” on April 17