'Upset' Josh Duhamel puts Netflix on blast for canceling Yellowstone knock-off Ransom Canyon

Josh Duhamel addressed the cancellation of Ransom Canyon and blasted Netflix for the decision to end the show last month.

The 53-year-old actor admitted he was 'upset' when he learned that the streamer would not be renewing the neo-Western television series for a third season. 

In September, it was revealed that Netflix would be canceling the show following the release of its first two seasons due to declining viewership.

'I was pretty surprised, if I'm being honest,' he said in an interview with Us Weekly published on Monday.

'I thought [it was safe] because the show was No. 1 for almost two weeks and the numbers looked really, really good and people really loved the show.' 

Duhamel, who recently became a dad of three after his wife Audra Mari, a model 21 years his junior, gave birth to their second child, said he was 'a little upset' with Netflix.

He said he was 'bummed' that the show, in which he stars opposite Minka Kelly, would 'not get picked up' for another season. 

'I was a little upset with Netflix for not giving the audience another season, because people really did love the show... but that's the business,' he said. 

'At the same time, I get it. They have their reasons for why things stay and why things go. I don't always understand those reasons, but it's not my job to question.' 

He went on to add: 'I've just gotta move on. I just feel bad for the fans who are really invested in it, and that's it, unfortunately.' 

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Duhamel and Netflix for comment.

During the interview, he reflected on the connection he built with his character in the show. In Ransom Canyon, he played the part of Staten Kirkland, a steadfast, grief-stricken rancher and owner of the Double K Ranch in the fictional town of Ransom Canyon in Texas. 

'I was already in that mindset, and I kind of lived that life anyway,' he said. 

Duhamel notably sold his Los Angeles home earlier this year to live full-time at a rustic lakeside home on his 26-acre property in Minnesota, which he purchased 16 years ago and has dubbed his 'doomsday cabin.'

'So there's something about it, I just really felt comfortable in that role. So the answer is yes, I would love to do more stuff like that.' 

He added: 'There's a couple of things in the works that I may do, but those are too far off to talk about yet.' 

He then seemingly hinted at his upcoming project as he shared: 'But I'd much rather play a cowboy than a defense attorney.' 

Ransom Canyon debuted on Netflix in April of last year. The romantic drama was based on Jodi Thomas's same-name book series. 

In addition to Duhamel and Kelly as his onscreen love interest, the cast included Garrett Wareing, Lizzy Greene, Marianly Tejada, Andrew Liner, James Brolin and Jack Schumacher. 

The second series premiered on the streamer earlier this year. Last month, Netflix announced that the show would not be picked up for another season. 

Over the summer, before the announcement, showrunner April Blair revealed what would have happened in season three, telling the outlet that Staten (Duhamel) and Quinn (Kelly) would end up together but begin to 'uncover people's dirty little secrets and people's things they don't tell.'

'For me, Staten and Quinn are meant to be together and that is the true north of our series. I don't foresee continuing to split them up and put them together and split them up and put them together,' she told Us Weekly in July. 

'Being halfway through the season three writers' room, I can tell you there are many, many more obstacles to come because I think we pitched it to Netflix as season one and season two are about their journey to choose each other,' she continued.

'But once you choose someone and you really begin a relationship, that's where the real work begins,' she added. 

'That's where you uncover people's dirty little secrets and people's things they don't tell. All of the challenges, even the silly stuff.'