Netflix fans 'obsessed' with series compared to Yellowstone (2025)

Fans and critics have shared their verdict on the new show

Netflix fans are 'already obsessed' with an 'addictive' series that has been described as Yellowstone meets Virgin River.

Ransom Canyon hits the streaming giant from today (April 17), all set for subscribers to indulge in a binge-watching spree. The moment its trailer hit the screens, it was touted as a blend of Yellowstone and Virgin River, and fans can rest easy knowing that the new show appears to live up to its hype.

Spanning 10 episodes, the plot revolves around three ranching family dynasties embroiled in a power struggle over land ownership. Their lives and legacies hang in the balance as external forces threaten to obliterate their way of life.

At the heart of the drama is the unflappable rancher Staten Kirkland (portrayed by Josh Duhamel), grappling with a devastating loss and seeking revenge. Staten's only ray of hope lies in Quinn (played by Minka Kelly), a long-time family friend and proprietor of the local dancehall.

However, as the fight to save Ransom intensifies, a mysterious cowboy saunters into town, stirring up skeletons from the past, reports Surrey Live. It is a screen adaptation of a series of novels penned by Jodi Thomas, the pseudonym of Jodi Koumalats, who was honoured with an induction into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Ransom Canyon series comprises 10 books, including two prequels, published between 2015 and 2019. April Blair, known for her work on Wednesday, Gossip Girl, and You, is tasked with translating these stories to the screen.

Early reviews of the first season are trickling in online, but as of now, there aren't enough to register a score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, this is likely to change soon. Collider's review claims: "newest comfort drama, Ransom Canyon, is a craveable escapist adventure for all those currently trying to distract themselves from increasing grocery prices and nonstop news intake."

The review further reads: "Cowboys and small-town shenanigans make this new series instantly addictive, and its rustic charm centres a world that fans will want to stay inside for as long as possible. Ransom Canyon may be more easily comparable to the likes of Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias, but this Western soap is another stellar example of Netflix's growing library of cozy dramas that deserve more attention."

Variety has hinted that the new show may not quite match up to Yellowstone's grandeur, yet it still comes off as 'ridiculously entertaining.' Their critic points out: "When it comes down to it, Ransom Canyon doesn't offer anything viewers haven't seen or experienced on television (or between the pages of a romance novel).

"However, this is what makes it such a delightful watch. From the illicit affairs to the bar fights, the picturesque landscapes, and the dazzling cast, fans who adore the ruggedness of Yellowstone and the romantic charm of Virgin River will surely come rushing in to binge the series. After all, with everything happening in the world, passion, connection and true escapism are just what the doctor ordered."

Meanwhile, numerous Netflix enthusiasts have already dived into the show and didn't hesitate to post their impressions online. A fan tweeted enthusiastically: "I'm already in love with this show, I knew it would win me over, and I'm also already obsessed with Lucas and Lauren, I love them so much!"

Ransom Canyon is streaming on Netflix.