Ransom Canyon Season 2 Won’t Hit 10 Episodes — Inside the Decision

Quick update from Ransom Canyon country: Season 2 is happening, but Netflix is trimming the order from 10 episodes to 8. Before you start doomscrolling, this is being framed as a creative tweak, not a sign of trouble. Minka Kelly says the leaner run tightens everything up. And yes, cameras are rolling right now.

What changed (and why)

While out promoting her Netflix holiday movie Champagne Problems, Minka Kelly confirmed to Entertainment Tonight (via Whats on Netflix) that the new season is shorter by design.

"We are shooting it right now, so it has been actually really fun and the season is really, really good. We are all like, I think I like the season even better. It is eight episodes now instead of ten, so they have really tightened up all the storylines."

Translation: fewer episodes, tighter arcs, less sprawl. If you felt Season 1 wandered, this addresses that directly.

Production status and release window

Season 2 went into production in September 2025 at Netflix Studios Albuquerque and across New Mexico, including shoots around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas (in New Mexico), and the Nambe, Santa Ana, and Santo Domingo Pueblos. Filming is underway now, and the series is targeting late 2026 or early 2027 on Netflix, depending on how long post takes. The story will pick up roughly six months after the Season 1 finale.

How we got here

The show, created by April Blair, premiered on April 17, 2025, and was renewed that June after a solid run on the service. According to Tudum, Ransom Canyon spent four weeks in the Global Top 10 and hit the Top 10 TV list in more than 70 countries, even with a mixed critical response.

Season 1 drew a 45% Rotten Tomatoes score. Reviewers generally liked the Josh Duhamel/Minka Kelly chemistry and the New Mexico scenery, but dinged the series for predictable turns, familiar romantic swings, and a tone that tilted melodramatic. Hence, the pivot to a shorter, tighter second season.

What Season 2 is actually about

We are back in the fictional Texas town of Ransom Canyon as rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) and musician Quinn O'Grady (Minka Kelly) navigate escalating tensions between the local ranching families and a corporate water company. Netflix describes the new episodes as a fight among ranching dynasties for power while fresh arrivals threaten both livelihoods and relationships around town. Expect a more focused slate of storylines, plus some new faces, as the writers streamline the ensemble.

Cast shuffle

• Returning: Josh Duhamel as Staten Kirkland; Minka Kelly as Quinn O'Grady; Lizzy Greene as Lauren Brigman; Garrett Wareing as Lucas Russell; Jack Schumacher as Yancy Grey; Marianly Tejada as Ellie Catawnee; Philip Winchester as Sheriff Dan Brigman.
• Promotion: Casey W Johnson moves up to series regular as Kit Russell.
• Exits: Two Season 1 leads, Eoin Macken and Andrew Liner, are not back for Season 2 (via Deadline). The show is also writing out Davis and Reid Collins, effectively removing one of the core family lines and reducing the number of competing arcs.
• FYI: Creator is April Blair; Season 1 is on Netflix now; Rotten Tomatoes sits at 45%.

Will the shorter season help?

The changes seem aimed at the exact pain points from Season 1. Eight episodes naturally force a tighter narrative. Kelly has teased that the scripts are jam packed and bring in more lighter moments to balance the heavy drama. Cutting the Collins family thread while introducing new characters should give the remaining relationships room to breathe instead of juggling too many subplots at once.

Season 1 is streaming on Netflix. Season 2 lands in late 2026 or early 2027 if everything goes to plan. Think eight is the sweet spot for this show? I kind of do.