“Ride” is an impressive new western series on the Hallmark channel. The first episode titled “Legend of the Fall,” will officially premiere on Sunday, March 26.
Paolo Barzman directed from a script written by Rebecca Boss and Chris Masi.
The synopsis is: Isabel McMurray (Nancy Travis) is the matriarch of a small-town ranching family going back a generation. After losing her husband years ago, she has resiliently kept the ranch afloat and singlehandedly raised their three sons: renowned champion Austin (Marcus Rosner), servicemember Cash (Beau Mirchoff) and ever-dependable Tuff (Jake Foy).
Over the years, the family has grown to include Austin’s talented wife Missy (Tiera Skovbye) and Valeria (Sara Garcia), a one-time runaway the family had taken in. One day, just as Cash returns home, tragedy strikes, leaving Missy a widow, the family grieving and leading Valeria to leave town without a word.
The screenplay is resonant, and all three actors that play brothers, Marcus Rosner, Beau Mirchoff, and Jake Foy have great chemistry together. They are all so different to the point that they compliment each other very well.
Being a fan of Marcus Rosner’s acting work, it is safe to say that this is some of Rosner’s most compelling work that he has ever done on screen. He has found a new home with “Ride,” and Austin was the role that he was born to play.
Beau Mirchoff is a revelation as Cash, while Jake Foy is charming as Tuff, and even showcases his rich and rumbling singing voice with an added treat. It felt like watching “1883” all over again, and Jake Foy is our Emmy winner Eric Nelsen.
Tyler Jacob Moore is also noteworthy as oilman Gus Booker, who has his eyes set on the McMurray Ranch.
The Verdict
“Ride” is a family-friendly version of “1883,” as well as “Yellowstone” meets Shaun Paul Piccinino’s “Roped.” The entire cast of “Ride” brings something unique to the series, and there is something in it for everybody. The debut episode of “Ride” garners two giant thumbs up.
