Netflix is canceling a Western series with some big names as stars following its disappointing second season. Ransom Canyon, a Texas romantic drama starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly, will not return for a third season. The decision comes a month and a half after Season 2 was released on July 23.
It was not exactly a shock that the adaptation of the Jodi Thomas novels did not get a renewal; the series was already on the bubble last year after its Season 1 premiere, eventually earning a renewal for Season 2. However, that renewal came with a reduced order of eight episodes compared to the original 10, alongside a creative overhaul that included a significant cast shakeup.
The storyline reset was better received internally, but the ratings were not enough to support a renewal. The second season logged 4.1 million views for its first week of release, down 43% from its Season 1 opening week results of 7.2 million views.
Kelly made headlines when she was first offered the co-lead role opposite Duhamel in 2022, asking for pay parity with her co-star. While she did not achieve full parity, she came close and publicly praised the streaming giant for their response to her request.
Ransom Canyon follows childhood friends-turned-star-crossed lovers Staten Kirkland, played by Duhamel, and Quinn O'Grady, played by Kelly, who have never been able to get the timing right. In the second season, Quinn briefly got engaged to someone else, but by the end, they were very much together—which means at least fans have that to console them as the series comes to a close.
What fans will miss out on is a potential love triangle for Ellie, played by Marianly Tejada, that the Season 2 finale set up, as well as a larger presence for Staten's half-brother Levi, played by Steve Howey.
Ransom Canyon was not alone in its sophomore slump, though it was alone in its cancellation. Other series such as Running Point, The Four Seasons, The Gentlemen, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and A Good Girl's Guide To Murder were all renewed for third seasons despite their viewership being lower in their second seasons.