Josh Duhamel Credits His Off-Grid Minnesota Cabin with Preparing Him for Ransom Canyon Role

Actor Josh Duhamel has connected his decade-long experience managing an off-grid property in Minnesota to his convincing portrayal of a rancher in Netflix's Ransom Canyon series. The 53-year-old revealed during a CBS Mornings appearance that his real-world rural lifestyle provided invaluable preparation for the role of Staten Kirkland, a ranch owner, and that showrunner April Blair approached him at precisely the right moment in his life.

Life Imitating Art

Duhamel has owned the expansive property just across the North Dakota border for more than a decade, transforming it into an off-grid family retreat with substantial acreage requiring ongoing management. During his interview, he explained that the property's ranch-like character—complete with extensive land and infrastructure—mirrors much of what viewers see in the Netflix series. He noted that showrunner April Blair first contacted him about the project approximately three years ago while he was at his cabin, a timing he described as perfect for accepting such a role.

"I have a cabin just on the other side of the border from North Dakota, in Minnesota, which is very ranch-like," Duhamel told hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson. "It's a lot of property, a lot of land we have to take care of. So I kind of live this life anyway in a lot of ways."

Reality and Fiction Distinctions

Despite the alignment between his personal circumstances and his character's responsibilities, Duhamel acknowledged key differences. His Minnesota property lacks the livestock that plays a central role in Ransom Canyon—specifically horses and cattle—though he maintains the equipment and machinery typical of rural operations. Interestingly, the actor admitted he was never naturally drawn to horses during his youth in North Dakota, despite now appearing comfortable on horseback throughout the series. A childhood incident in which a friend was kicked by a horse contributed to his early hesitation around the animals, a fear he has since overcome for the role.

The actor's connection to rural environments extends beyond his current cabin ownership. Growing up in North Dakota exposed him to the agricultural landscape depicted in the show, providing foundational familiarity with the lifestyle his character embodies, even if the fictional setting is Texas rather than the northern plains.