Fans eagerly awaiting the next season of Virgin River have issued a word of caution to fellow Netflix viewers: a newly released show being marketed as a close alternative might not be worth your time.
With Virgin River now six seasons deep and a seventh on the horizon, loyal viewers have been searching for series with a similar blend of heartfelt romance, small-town charm, and emotional drama. In the meantime, shows like Sullivan’s Crossing, Firefly Lane, and Hart of Dixie have been popular recommendations for fans seeking something in the same vein.
However, a recent addition to Netflix’s catalog has sparked disappointment among some Virgin River loyalists. The show in question is Ransom Canyon, a Western-flavored romance set in a rural Texas town where three ranching families are entangled in land disputes and generational conflict.
Josh Duhamel stars as Staten Kirkland, a rugged rancher grappling with grief, who starts developing feelings for his longtime friend Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), just as the arrival of a stranger begins to expose deeply buried secrets from the past.
Despite its themes of heartache, love, and family tension—elements that would typically resonate with Virgin River fans—many viewers have taken to platforms like Reddit to share their underwhelming experiences. One fan even urged others to skip it altogether, admitting they stopped watching after just one episode.
Although Ransom Canyon seemed to check all the right boxes on paper, it appears the show hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations set by Virgin River’s devoted fanbase.
