Actor Jack Schumacher (“Top Gun: Maverick”) chatted about starring in the series “Ransom Canyon” on Netflix.
Vince Lombardi once said: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” A person who strives for excellence in his craft is Jack Schumacher.
Background on ‘Ransom Canyon’
Welcome to “Ransom Canyon,” where love, loss, and loyalty collide beneath the crimson mesas of Texas Hill Country. With three ranching family dynasties locked in a contest for control of the land, their lives and legacies are threatened by outside forces intent on destroying their way of life.
At the center of it all is stoic rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel), who is healing from heartbreaking loss and on a quest for vengeance.
Staten’s only glimmer of hope rests in the eyes and heart of Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), longtime family friend and owner of the local dancehall.
As the battle to save Ransom wages on, a mysterious cowboy drifts into town, dredging up secrets from the past.
Vise tightening, Staten fights to protect the land he calls home, and the only love that can pull him back from the demons that haunt him.
April Blair is the showrunner and executive producer of Ransom Canyon. The series premiered on April 17th on Netflix.
On starring in the No. 1 Netflix series “Ransom Canyon,” Schumacher stated, “It was truly a dream come true; it was more than anything I’ve worked on. The love between the cast and the crew was one of those really special moments that I am going to cherish and hold onto forever.”
“Getting to play this character, as well, as made it even that much more special. I am never without the feeling of an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the entire experience,” he acknowledged.
Playing Yancy in ‘Ransom Canyon’
On playing Yancy, he said, “It is always so much fun to play a character who is deeply flawed, and he is looking for his path to redemption, and he is searching for something.”
“On top of all that, he has all of these secrets, and he is trying to balance those secrets while trying to do the right thing as his perception for this town and community changes,” he elaborated.
“Ultimately, Yancy is looking for family and community, and a place to call home because that is what he has been missing his entire life,” he added.
Josh Duhamel
On working with lead actor and executive producer Josh Duhamel, Schumacher said, “Josh is a great guy. He has this very youthful energy to him.”
“Josh is super playful and he is always goofing around, and I think that energy is important in keeping a set fun and light because there are so many moving parts when you are shooting something,” Schumacher noted.
“If the No. 1 on the call sheet has a bad attitude, then that has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the production team, but Josh was always showing up, ready to hang out and have a good time, and that is infectious, in the best way,” Shumacher elaborated.
“Josh is a veteran actor, and he helps you give a variety of versions and takes, and that is easy to play off of. Josh Duhamel is the man,” Schumacher exclaimed.
Eoin Macken
On working with Eoin Macken, Schumacher said, “Eoin is one of my favorite people I’ve ever met, and I’ve ever worked with. Eoin has had so much experience, and he is such a great actor.
“At the end of the day, Eoin is a good hang. He is very chill, and he takes things very lightly, and that’s the type of energy you want to be around. He is great to collaborate with and a great friend. I hope we get to work together for many more years to come,” Schumacher elaborated.
Minka Kelly
Schumacher had great words about Minka Kelly. “Minka is truly the sweetest human being I’ve ever met in my entire life. It is just a breath of fresh air anytime you are around her,” he said.
“Minka is so sincere, kind, and on top of all of that, she is a brilliant actress, and I am so lucky to get to work with her. Minka has been in so many great things, and I’ve watched her in ‘Friday Night Lights’ growing up,” he recalled.
“Minka is such a phenomenal person, and she is so talented. I hope Minka and I get to have more scenes in Season 2,” Schumacher added.
Cliffhanger ending for his character Yancy
On the cliffhanger ending for his character, Schumacher responded, “I am very lucky. The writers did such a good job, and being a part of the show, and to be left with that feeling of ‘what is going to happen?’ is a great sign of really good writing, and overall direction for this show. A big shout-out to April Blair, our showrunner, who crushed it with this series!”
“My character has a lot of work to do,” he admitted. “I think Season 2 is going to be even so much better than the first one. I am really eager to get back on set.”
James Brolin
On working with veteran James Brolin, Schumacher said, “James is such a great guy. He showed up in every scene with a million ideas and a million things he wanted to try, and he created such a fun and creative environment to work with, and act with him.”
“Also, it super easy to play off James because I never knew what he is going to do. That’s a testament to a great actor and a great scene partner. He pulls out some really truthful moments from his scene partners, and he is such a kind and generous guy,” he elaborated.
“James gave me so much advice and I learned a lot from him. I loved working with James,” Schumacher added.
Andrew Liner
Schumacher also complimented young actor Andrew Liner. “I love that kid! Andrew is one of the funniest guys on set, and he is so focused and determined, and I think that is rare to see especially in someone his age.” Schumacher said.
“I hung out with him constantly on set. Andrew has this professionalism about him, and it is inspiring and just a joy to see. Most importantly, he is a dear friend and a great guy.”
Brad Everett Young’s Dream Loud campaign
Schumacher had great words about being a part of Brad Everett Young’s Dream Loud campaign, which helps preserve arts and music programs in schools, especially at a time when they are taken away due to budget cuts.
“Brad is an amazing photographer, so every time I’ve ever shot with him, it has been a total blast,” Schumacher exclaimed.
“That is one of the fun things about doing different shoots with different people; they all have their unique style and distinct vision. Brad Everett Young is just awesome to work with,” he elaborated.
Lessons learned from this show
On the lessons learned from this show, Schumacher reflected, “I think I’ve learned something on every set that I’ve been on. This was the longest and most intense shoot that I’ve been a part of.”
“So, as an actor, I learned a lot about stamina, and being able to sit with a character for a long period of time, especially when the shooting days got long towards the end. Also, finding that energy and keeping the pacing,” he elaborated.
“As the episodes progressed, I think I grew a lot as an actor, and I was able to witness the things that I improved upon, and that’s ultimately what I want to do… to continue to grow and to get better,” he noted.
“I break down my performance like an athlete would watching a tape of a game, and I see where I can improve,” he noted.
“I think I learned a lot about where I am able to take it emotionally, and finding the sweet spot between not getting burnt out on a day (especially if I have to do emotional scenes) and making sure I have the capacity to get there by the time the cameras are rolling,” he explained.
Superpowers of choice
His superpowers of choice would be “invincibility” or “flying.” “To be able to fly would be pretty sweet,” he admitted.
Closing thoughts on ‘Ransom Canyon’
For fans and viewers, he remarked about “Ransom Canyon,” “I just want the fans to have a good time. There are different kinds of shows (entertaining shows or shows that have changed your perspective on something)”, and we just want to entertain you.”
Schumacher continued, “If we can help change your emotional state for an hour at a time and give you something to sit back and relax and get away to this world we’ve created, then I think we’ve done our job.
“I just want people to have a good time, and I think that’s something that ‘Ransom Canyon’ is really great at doing,” he concluded.
Bruce Lee once said: “If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”
Jack Schumacher of “Ransom Canyon” embodies this wise quote, and his acting work and life story is an inspiration to us all.
To learn more about actor Jack Schumacher, follow him on Instagram.
Read More: “Ransom Canyon” review.
