Exclusive | Josh Duhamels Ransom Canyon is the next Yellowstone but with more romance: We tried to make it as steamy as we could

Texas hold ’em. The new Netflix show “Ransom Canyon” (premiering Thursday, April 17) aims to be the next “Yellowstone,” with a sprinkling of “Bridgerton” and “Friday Night Lights.” “Taylor Sheridan is like this once-in-a-generation writer that redefined contemporary westerns and this Americana aesthetic.He reinvigorated that kind of world,” showrunner April Blair told The Post, referring to the creator of “Yellowstone” starring Kevin Costner, and its spinoffs shows, such as Harrison Ford’s “1923.”Blair added that she loves how romantic and sweeping shows such as “1923” are.“I wanted to do something like that — for a contemporary [story].” “Ransom Canyon” is based on a series of romance novels — similar to its Netflix predecessor, “Bridgerton.” Set in Texas, the Western drama follows the gruff rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel), who is recovering from losing his family.

The owner of the local dancehall, Quinn (Minka Kelly) is torn between Staten and his rival, Davis Collins (Eoin Macken), but they also must fight larger forces that want their land. The supporting cast includes James Brolin, Marianly Tejada (“One of Us Is Lying”) and Jack Schumacher (“Top Gun: Maverick”) as a mysterious newcomer. Blair, who has also worked on “Wednesday,” “All American” and “Hart of Dixie,” told The Post, “I always wanted to do  something that was like a neo Western, but also something soapy and romantic… what we’re hoping for is something that couples and families can sit down and dig into, together.” She thinks viewers will be “surprised” by Duhamel as the leading man. “He’s maturing and graying, but still just as handsome as ever.He’s always done romances and comedies, and this is him leaning into something that’s a little more painful and tortured, and the cowboy vibes.

[This role is] something new for him, that I think will be fun for people to see.” Duhamel is 52 and Kel...