PSA: The follow interview contains spoilers for the season finale of Ransom Canyon
Since it dropped on Netflix late last week, cowboy drama series Ransom Canyon has taken over our office lunchtime chats, TikTok feeds and if we're being honest, our dreams. The 10-part drama, based on a series of books of the same name by Jodi Thomas, explores the loves and lives of the inhabitants of ranch town Ransom Canyon. There's three main love storylines going on, and we sat down with one half of the teen storyline's actors, Garrett Wareing, who plays Lucas Russell.
Lucas is a sweet, kind-hearted boy, who is battling, not only his father's abandonment, and keeping a roof over his head, but also his will-they-won't-they romance with the Sheriff's daughter Lauren. And after 10 episodes it seems they will, but is it destined to last? We caught up with the 23-year-old actor to find out.
Cosmopolitan UK: Ok, can we just start by saying Lucas has had it rough and yet he’s such a lover boy…
Garrett Wareing: Lucas is the cowboy I've always wanted to be, and he's the lover boy I am inside, and so playing him was joyful and easy. I felt so close already to this character, being from Texas, loving horses and being that country guy. I wear my boots every day, and the boots that I'm wearing in the show are actually the same boots that I've worn since I was 18. They [the show's creators] were like, 'let's throw them in the show', which I thought was a really cool way to bring it back and make it familiar for me.
As a native Texan did you have to do cowboy training for the role?
If I had pretended that I knew how to ride a horse when I showed up to cowboy camp in the way that the cowboys rode horses, or how they, expected us to ride, I would have been fooling myself. I grew up riding horses and on ranches, but it was the first time I ever held a rope when I was on set, which was pretty cool when we were doing cowboy camp training.
They worked us hard, it was not this leisurely 'get on the back of the horse and walk around in circles'. It was training. We would go home sweaty and dirty every day, and to be there alongside my boys, Jack [Schumacher] and Drew [Liner] every day was a really cool bonding experience for us.
And then to be able to get better daily at these skills, and be able to show them on camera was a really cool progression.
Did you have the same horse throughout filming?
I have my boy, Boone. But horses also have stunt doubles. They'll put you on a few different ones to see how you ride and I bonded very well with this horse named Boone. And so they found a stunt double for Boone named Crockett. They looked identical, and I would have to be told which horse I was riding, because each horse rides differently in the same way that each car drives differently. I got Boone tattooed on my leg.
Speaking of body doubles...that lake scene, did you use a body double?
Oh, no, that was all me. I put a lot of work in with the gym and training. But I will say it was freezing that day. The water was freezing. I think I saw God every time I went under that water.
Everyone loves the pinky swear with Lauren [Lizzy Greene], was that an original part of the script?
That was between Lizzie and I, we came up with the pinky swear thing. Being able to add these personal traits to your characters really brings them to life in a three dimensional way. We starting to incorporate that [the pinky swear] into a scene that actually got cut, but then we loved it so much we just kind of kept doing it, making it our thing.
I like seeing that recurring theme between the two of us, showing that we have each other. It came from a place of secrecy, because, Lucas and Lauren have this secret love, and we're not allowed to hold hands and be seen together. But there's this little moment of touch where you can have your pinkies together and still show that you are with one another.
What was the scene that was cut?
We [Lucas and Lauren] were getting frisky in the back of the truck. And it was actually a very lovey dovey, really meaningful scene between the two of us. She was talking about her dreams, wanting to go to Paris and pursue art after UT. I think we were going through her sketchbook in the scene, which I really liked.
Ah yes those frisky scenes, did you work with an intimacy co-ordinator?
Yeah we did and she was really cool. She helped us block things out, almost like a stunt scene. Lizzie and I were losing our minds the first time we had to kiss each other in episode two. It was the first time we had kissed and everybody was building it up all day. And then, of course, because we're professionals, they call to action. My heart is just pounding the whole time. I'm like, 'oh my god, we're actually gonna do this' because she's my best friend and I'm about to kiss my best friend. And then we get to the moment where it finally happens, and then it's like, 'oh, we're at work, this is fine'.
Were there any other scenes that were cut?
There was a lot of stuff with Lizzie and her dad that got cut. And there was one back before Randall died. At his birthday party, Kit [Casey W. Johnson] and Lucas were actually there, and we were unloading beer, working for Davis [Eoin Macken]. And I'm, looking at Lauren longingly as she's with Reid, and Kit says 'don't even think about it, kid, don't risk me this job.' And then we cut to a year later, and I'm secretly with her.
I think people will be annoyed a frisky scene was cut...
We had a sex scene in the pilot that got cut too. We were in a car so it was kind of obscured. Lucas says 'it's the same thing we've been doing for months' and then there's this montage of Quinn [Minka Kelly] playing the piano. And then there was a sex scene between me and Lauren in the back of my buddy's car that we filmed.
Have you seen all the YouTube and TikTok edits of the two of you together?
I love the TikTok edits. I'm unironically sitting there being like 'these are great, these are edited so well'. I made a TikTok account that I'm finally posting on and people have been showing the utmost positive response. And it's been really cool to engage with fans in this way, because when you're making a show you don't know what the response is going to be.
To then wake up the day after the show came out, to people already making edits and loving these characters and the show. It was such a positive affirmation to know the hard work we put in was worth it.
Some fans are shipping Lauren and Lucas' older brother Kit together. How do you feel about that?
Let's find out in season two, huh? We'll see. Honestly, episode seven was good, and there was something there. I think it would become very messy between the Russell brothers because of how much Lucas loves Lauren, but I'd like to see where that goes. As a fan, I'd want to see how messy things can get.
Aside from his relationship with Lauren, Lucas also has significant relationships with the men Reid, Kit, and Staten in the show too...
I would love to also develop that relationship with Yancy [Schumacher] as well, because I had not one line of dialogue with Jack this season, and he's one of my best friends in this whole world, and I would love more scenes with him.
I loved the modern take of the bromance between me and Reid [Liner]. It was really cool to be able to work with him on building out what this friendship between two men could look like. We're both going after this girl, but we have respect for each other through hardship. I like the arc of our characters from the pilot then to the season finale.
And then with Josh [Duhamel], of course, too. I love how Staten took Lucas under his wing and was able to bring him in, seeing that he's coming from a hard place, and giving him a job and a shot.
It was great to see Lucas' relationship evolve with Sheriff Dan too...
I love Philip Winchester, who plays Dan Brigman. I think he is one of the most talented actors in our show. The scene at the end, when he's reading the Miranda rights to his wife is just one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking performances. I hope I have more scenes with him in season two.
You keep bringing up season two, is it officially happening?
I'm sitting here anxious as you all are waiting for that announcement for season two. I'm hopeful. I am excited, and we'll keep our fingers crossed.
At the end of season one, Lauren and Lucas got their happy ending, but do you think they can make their relationship work?
I'll let the writers decide that one. But yes, I think with the amount of love that Lucas has for Lauren, he's willing to make it work.
And he says in episode 10, 'wherever you go, is where I'll be. And if that's, if that's Ransom, then then Ransom is where I'll be.' And I think that's very noble to love somebody so fully you'll follow them wherever they go or stay. And I'd love to see them work out, but I'm also curious to see what other trouble Lucas could get into, if you have any ideas?
I'll get back to you on that. Aside from romantic relationships, what else what would want to see for Lucas in a potential season two?
I'd love to be able to do more stuff on horseback and to show off some of my roping skills I got in the cowboy camp. We also have this mysterious father figure from Kit and Lucas' past who I would love to see return. Let's get a cool guy to play my father, and see what dynamics we can get into there.
I'd love to have more scenes with Minka, because, I mean, what a performance, what a leading lady, and what a goddess she is. But as far as expanding the world of Ransom Canyon. What does it look like if Luca starts touring colleges? And what does it look like if there's a distance between him and Lauren that's forming? And what if he gets closer with somebody else? And what if Lauren gets closer with his brother? And what if?
Ok, we're going to need Netflix to confirm season two right now.
Ransom Canyon is available on Netflix now
