Netflix’s returning Western series Ransom Canyon marks a welcome change for the streaming service, finally ending a sad trend five years after the cancellation of Sam Elliot’s Western sitcom. Well-made Western TV shows have long been a staple among television audiences, and Netflix’s renewal highlights this.
This goes along with audiences’ heightened interest in the Western genre, spawning some of the best TV shows of recent years. While Netflix’s returning Western isn’t perfect, its renewal gives it a chance to come back stronger, following the lead of Sam Elliot’s nine-year-old Western series.
Ransom Canyon Is Netflix’s First Multiseason Western Series Since The Ranch
Netflix’s Western romance series Ransom Canyon was renewed back in June, making it the first Western series for the streaming service to get a second season since Sam Elliot’s The Ranch. The Ranch ended in 2020 after four seasons, meaning Ransom Canyon officially ends a five-year-long disappointing streak.
Ransom Canyon is a perfectly compulsive blend of a reluctant romantic connection between Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) and Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly) and ranching turf battles in the face of modern changes. Ransom Canyon is also based on the 11-novel series of the same name, meaning there is plenty of material to explore going forward.
Given the success that Paramount+ has had with Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed Westerns, it makes sense that Netflix wants to be able to compete in the neo-Western genre. Ransom Canyon breaks the mold by being more romantic than other Western shows, it is a winning formula for Netflix. If Ransom Canyon season 2 can maintain momentum, it could extend its run further.
Netflix’s Best Westerns Have Still Been Miniseries
Despite Netflix not continuing with the majority of its Westerns beyond one season, that doesn’t mean that the streamer hasn’t released promising Western shows. Miniseries like Godless and, more recently, American Primeval prove that the streaming service is able to create stellar Westerns.
Miniseries are becoming an increasingly popular TV format, but the problem with them is right in the name. Audiences get invested in the characters, knowing that they will only be on-screen for a few short episodes. Being able to wrap up a complete story in one season is an impressive feat, but it is not always what audiences want from television.It would be prudent for Netflix to find a balance between epic miniseries and TV shows that have greater opportunities to extend into beloved long-running series that draw viewers into the streaming service. Netflix has a reputation of canceling shows too soon, so Ransom Canyon‘s renewal marks an exciting first step in the right direction.
