Minka Kelly Reveals What Happened When She Asked To Be Paid the Same as Josh Duhamel on Ransom Canyon

As one of Netflix‘s most exciting new releases, the Western series Ransom Canyon has already captivated viewers. Led by Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly as childhood friends-turned-star-crossed lovers, the show follows three rival ranching families in Texas Hill Country.

And as viewers continue to tune in to the first season, reports on Kelly’s request for pay parity with Duhamel are giving us even more incentive to watch.

After Deadline reported that Kelly, who plays Quinn O’Grady on the show, requested equal pay with Duhamel, who plays Staten Kirkland, she confirmed the news in a new interview.

“I think that’s probably one of the best things about working with Netflix, is that they’re very pro that,” Kelly, who’s starred in many other hit shows like Friday Night Lights and Euphoria, told the outlet. “So I didn’t have to fight very hard. They sort of made that easy.”

“I feel really lucky to get to work with the company that does care about that,” she said.

According to Deadline, Kelly made waves with her “bold” request at first, but Netflix had no problem going back to the negotiating table. “I hear that parity was ultimately not achieved, but Netflix stepped up in a major way, raising Kelly’s offer way above her previous earnings history that minimized the pay gap between the leads,” the source said.

Per the industry expert, Duhamel and Kelly’s pay disparity isn’t necessarily about gender. To the outlet, “casting offers are still based primarily on actors’ recent work.”

In other words, while Kelly’s latest roles were a guest role in Euphoria and a role in the small movie Blackwater Lane, Duhamel’s latest projects, including being the protagonist in London Calling, Buddy Games and Shotgun Wedding alongside Jennifer Lopez, were just more impressive.

But regardless of why those salaries were decided, we’re applauding Netflix for renegotiating Kelly’s deal, and Kelly for speaking up for what she thought was right. This is how real change is made!