In Netflix’s Ransom Canyon, three powerful Texas ranching families clash over the future of their land — with Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) stubbornly standing at the center. Still reeling from the tragic loss of his wife and son, Staten’s grief has hardened him, making it impossible for Davis Collins (Eoin Macken) to convince him to sell. But Davis isn’t one to give up easily — and he’s willing to use a little manipulation to get what he wants. Adding even more tension to the mix, both men find themselves drawn to Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), the strong-willed owner of the local dancehall who must decide where her heart truly lies.
In a one-on-one interview with Collider, Eoin Macken opened up about bringing audiences into the world of Ransom Canyon, trading in dinosaurs for cowboy boots, exploring Davis’ motives and manipulative streak, his favorite moments with Josh Duhamel, and what he hopes to dive into if Netflix greenlights a Season 2 — including whether he’d like to direct an episode himself.
The Netflix Series ‘Ransom Canyon’ Transports Viewers Into an Immersive World
“It does take you into its own space.”
Eoin Macken says Ransom Canyon fully immerses viewers in its world — a grounded, modern western where you truly “live in that town.” After La Brea, he wanted something completely different: “No dinosaurs, no time travel, just one small town.” Drawn to April Blair and Amanda Marsalis’ vision, Macken loved the show’s balance of western roots and contemporary storytelling.
A lifelong fan of A Fistful of Dollars and The Alamo, he appreciated how Ransom Canyon honors the genre without forcing nostalgia. “It just exists,” he says. “You live in the world they’ve created.” For Macken, each role — from Merlin to La Brea — offers a new challenge, but his goal remains the same: to find a personal connection that makes every character feel real.
In ‘Ransom Canyon,’ Davis Collins Believes He’s the Center of It All
“Davis Collins thinks that he is the center of gravity.”
Eoin Macken describes Davis Collins as the only person in Ransom Canyon who isn’t running toward or away from anything — because he already sees himself as the center of the universe. “He thinks everyone else just moves around him,” Macken explains.
What makes Davis fascinating is his duality — he’s both charming and manipulative, sincere yet self-serving. Even when showing care, like with his son, he always has another motive in play. Macken says that’s what drew him to the role: “There’s nothing Davis does that’s black and white.” He compares his character’s inner politics to Succession, where every move is layered with intent.
Despite being the town’s most polarizing figure, Macken jokes that his co-stars don’t hold it against him — “Jack Schumacher says he’s Team Davis all the way.”
Eoin Macken Reveals His Favorite Scene with Josh Duhamel in ‘Ransom Canyon’
“That set up the whole season for the two of us.”
Eoin Macken says his favorite moment in Ransom Canyon was his very first scene with Josh Duhamel — a tense whiskey-fueled exchange in episode one. “That set up the whole season for the two of us,” Macken recalls. “Every scene with Josh was fun because the tension was always simmering underneath. It didn’t need to be explosive — that made it more interesting.”
He also shared that Davis Collins, despite his manipulative streak, truly cares for Quinn (Minka Kelly). Her eventual breakup “genuinely hurts him,” showing his softer, more vulnerable side. Still, Davis’s actions — from orchestrating lies to leaving others in danger — reveal a man torn between ambition and emotion.
Macken likens Davis to “a young politician” — someone learning how power and relationships shape who he becomes. His complex dynamic with his son Reid (Andrew Liner) underscores that struggle. “Davis really wants Reid to be the best version of himself,” Macken says. “Even when he’s pushing him away, he believes he’s doing the right thing — just not always in the best way.”
Should Davis Collins Be Redeemed or Embrace His Inner Villain in ‘Ransom Canyon’ Season 2?
“I feel like he needs a redemption arc… but it’d be fun if he leans full-on into being the bad seed.”
Eoin Macken isn’t sure whether Ransom Canyon’s Davis Collins should be redeemed or corrupted further — and that’s exactly what makes the character so intriguing. “I feel like he needs a redemption arc,” Macken admits. “But at the same time, it would be interesting if he leans full-on into being the bad seed of Ransom. Then, he’s the character you love to hate.”
While he won’t reveal if Davis is truly over Quinn, Macken teases that discussions with the writers are already happening. “Every show needs an antagonist,” he says. “Davis believes what he’s doing isn’t wrong — that’s what makes him so complex.”
As for his future on the show, Macken hopes for many more seasons — and maybe even a chance to step behind the camera. “I love directing,” he shares. “I’d only do it if it made sense for the story, but I’d definitely be excited to bring something new to Ransom Canyon down the line.”
