Ransom Canyon Isn’t What It Seems — The Truth About Netflix’s Buzziest Western Town

Netflix’s Ransom Canyon may be heating up screens with its simmering romance, generational feuds, and rugged cowboy drama, but there’s something fans may not realize: the town at the heart of the series is real — just not the way it looks on screen.

Premiering on April 17, 2025, Ransom Canyon quickly drew comparisons to Yellowstone, thanks to its sweeping landscapes and tangled family drama. But while some fans are ready to declare it “the next big Western,” critics have been more divided — giving the show a modest 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes as of now.

Still, love it or hate it, one thing is clear: Ransom Canyon has people talking.

🏜️ Wait — Ransom Canyon Is a Real Place?

Yes — and no.

There is a real Ransom Canyon, tucked away just outside Lubbock, Texas. But if you’re imagining dusty cowboy standoffs, secret love affairs, and multi-million dollar ranches, pump the brakes. The actual Ransom Canyon is a quiet town with a population of under 1,200, more known for its peaceful lake views than its high-stakes drama.

The version of Ransom Canyon you see on Netflix? It’s pure fiction — built from the imagination of novelist Jodi Thomas, who penned the original book in 2015, and reimagined for TV by creator April Blair (You, Wednesday).

“At its core, Ransom Canyon isn’t just a town, it’s an idea,” Blair said in an interview with Tudum. “It’s the painful longing for your first love. It’s cowboys and lovers, grifters and thieves. Lust, deceit, heartache, home… Ransom has it all.”

Just… not in the real Texas.

🎥 So Where Was Ransom Canyon Filmed?

Surprise — it wasn’t even in Texas.

While set in the Lone Star State, Ransom Canyon was primarily filmed in New Mexico, with shooting locations including Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and the historic town of Las Vegas (NM) — not to be confused with the casino-filled one in Nevada.

“Most of New Mexico is adobe, but there’s this one little old mining town near the Texas border that just looks like old Texas,” Blair explained. “It gave us that timeless, Western feel we needed.”

And it worked. The fictional Ransom Canyon is full of dusty saloons, wide-open fields, and cinematic backdrops that capture the feeling of Texas, even if the GPS says otherwise.

🐎 Fiction Over Fact — And Fans Are Loving It

While the real Ransom Canyon might not have ranch wars or dance hall drama, the fictional version is quickly becoming a fan-favorite Western setting, especially for viewers craving that Yellowstone energy with a modern twist.

With an all-star cast including Josh Duhamel as brooding rancher Staten Kirkland and Minka Kelly as dance hall owner Quinn O’Grady, the show brings high emotion, smoldering chemistry, and Texas-sized tension.

Even if it’s not filmed in Texas — or really about the real Ransom Canyon — that hasn’t stopped fans from becoming fully immersed in the fictional town’s secrets, heartbreaks, and heat.

📺 What’s Next for Ransom Canyon?

Netflix hasn’t confirmed a second season yet, but with growing fan interest, it’s likely this dusty town still has plenty more stories to tell. One thing’s for sure: whether you’re watching for the cowboys, the chaos, or the chemistry, Ransom Canyon isn’t just a place — it’s a mood.