Taking a page from its successful oceanside soap “Outer Banks,” Netflix heads west for its newest sudser, countrified “Ransom Canyon,” now streaming its 10-episode first season.
Created by showrunner April Blair (“All American,” “Jane by Design”), “Ransom Canyon” isn’t a quality show that will be getting a serious Emmy nominations push, the way some April releases will. But at least the first episode moves at a steady clip.
After that? The show begins to mosey along, slowly dropping revelations about its characters and their connections.
While “Outer Banks” focuses on the kids, “Ransom Canyon” spends more time with its adult cast, led by Josh Duhamel (“The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers”), Minka Kelly (“Friday Night Lights”) and James Brolin (“Life in Pieces”).
Duhamel stars as stoic rancher Staten Kirkland who’s a bit Job-like, suffering multiple tragedies at the series’ outset. He’s clearly in love with his late wife’s best friend, Quinn (Kelly), who runs the local dancehall/bar, but Staten moves as tentatively as this series.
Additional soapy storylines include a power and water company wanting to buy local land, including the ranch run by Cap (Brolin), and the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Jack Schumacher) — as if there is any other kind on a series like this.
“Ransom Canyon,” based on the Jodi Thomas novel, won’t be confused with great TV — or even good TV (Paramount ’s “Landman” has a similar setting with better storytelling and loads more humor) — but viewers seeking a simple, predictable serial could do worse.
‘The Pitt’ rates?
After first season finale of “The Pitt” last week, Max said Pittsburgh-set ER drama averaged 10 million viewers worldwide per episode through its first 14 episodes with week-over-week audience growth.
Max provided no third-party data to back up that measurement. And despite growing buzz around the series, it’s yet to appear on the Nielsen Top 10 original series streaming chart, although it has appeared in others’ Top 10s, including ReelGood.
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HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ casting
This week HBO announced some of the adult casting for its upcoming “Harry Potter” series, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid in series regular roles
Recurring cast will include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
The series, expected to premiere in 2027, is based on the original J.K. Rowling book series that was already made into a film series.
Broadway on PBS
Broadway fans take note: PBS’s “Great Performances” offers four productions in a “Broadway’s Best” series at 9 p.m. Fridays in May.
The lineup includes stage capture performances of musical “Next to Normal” (May 9), comedy “Yellow Face” (May 16), musical “Girl from the North Country” (May 23) and Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” (May 30).
Docs on books
Two documentaries this month explore the value of books and libraries, including streaming service Kanopy’s “Banned Together,” streaming at Kanopy.com April 25 with no fees and no ads. (Viewers can join Kanopy with a library card from participating public and academic libraries.)
“Banned Together” follows three students in Beaufort, S.C., who fight back when 97 books are pulled from their school libraries
PBS’s “Independent Lens” debuts “Free for All: The Public Library” (10 p.m. April 29, WQED-TV), which chronicles the history of the free public library that began in the late 19th century
Kept/canceled
Netflix’s adult animated series “Devil May Cry” will be back for a second season.
Apple TV canceled “Mythic Quest” after four seasons. An updated finale episode began streaming this week.
Prime Video canceled “The Power” after a single season.
Peacock canceled “Based on a True Story” and “Mr. Throwback.”
Channel surfing
Oscar-winning film “The Brutalist” streams May 16 on Max. … “Duck Dynasty: The Revival” premieres at 9 p.m. May 28 on A&E.