Minka Kelly Says She Tried to Bring Boyfriend Dan Reynolds Back for Ransom Canyon Season 2

Dan Reynolds nearly returned to Ransom Canyon for its second season, thanks in part to a pitch from his girlfriend, actress Minka Kelly.

The Imagine Dragons singer made an unexpected appearance in the first season of Netflix’s drama, playing Billy Brinks, a cattle buyer who crosses paths with the residents of the small Texas community. Although Reynolds did not ultimately appear in the newest season, Kelly revealed that she and the production team explored several possibilities for bringing his character back.

Kelly, who plays Quinn in the series, recently spoke about the idea and admitted that she was eager to find a reason for Billy Brinks to return.

“We actually tried to figure out a way to bring Billy Brinks back,” Kelly explained. “At one point, I thought maybe the love triangle could involve Billy Brinks.”

Unfortunately, Reynolds’ busy schedule made another appearance impossible. According to Kelly, the musician simply did not have enough time to return to the series.

“Sadly, he wasn’t available,” she said. “He’s got a lot going on.”

Reynolds first appeared in Ransom Canyon during season 1, surprising viewers with a role that was quite different from his career as the lead singer of Imagine Dragons. His appearance also gave Kelly an opportunity to work alongside her boyfriend, whom she has been dating since 2022.

When the first season debuted, Kelly recalled how warmly the cast and crew responded to Reynolds. She explained that after visiting the set, Reynolds quickly became popular among the people working behind the scenes.

“Everyone, including the producers and writers, naturally fell in love with him,” Kelly previously told PEOPLE. “That’s just the kind of person he is.”

According to the actress, Reynolds is especially easy for people to connect with because of his personality and charm.

“It’s easy to love Dan,” she said.

His casting in season 1 reportedly came about in a rather casual way. Kelly remembered that someone from the production asked her whether she thought Reynolds might be interested in portraying the character of Billy Brinks.

“They asked me one day, ‘Do you think he would play this character?’” Kelly recalled. “I told them, ‘Let me ask him.’”

Reynolds agreed to take part and proved to be a good sport about stepping into an acting role. Although he is accustomed to performing in front of enormous crowds as a musician, acting presented a completely different kind of challenge.

Kelly said that Reynolds was unexpectedly nervous while filming his scene.

“He was surprisingly nervous,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘How can you possibly be nervous? Look at what you do for a living.’ But I guess acting puts you in a completely different environment.”

While Reynolds was unable to return for season 2, Kelly’s character Quinn finds herself at the center of another complicated romantic situation.

The new season picks up six months after the events of the first installment. During that period, Quinn has left Texas and moved to New York City, where she focuses on pursuing her personal ambitions. She hopes to perform with the New York Philharmonic, allowing her to experience a new chapter in her life away from the people and circumstances she left behind.

When Quinn eventually returns to her hometown, she expects things to feel familiar. Instead, she discovers that the people she once knew have changed, particularly Staten, played by Josh Duhamel.

Her relationship with Staten had been emotionally complicated at the end of season 1. Quinn was disappointed and frustrated by how things had unfolded between them, which encouraged her to leave Texas and concentrate on building the life she wanted.

According to Kelly, Quinn’s decision to move to New York was not simply about escaping her romantic problems. She genuinely wanted to pursue her dreams and establish an identity outside of her complicated relationship with Staten.

“She really wanted to move forward,” Kelly explained. “At the end of season 1, she was very frustrated. So she went to New York to pursue her purpose and her dream of playing with the New York Philharmonic.”

Life in New York also gives Quinn the opportunity to meet someone new. While living there, she begins a relationship with Oliver, portrayed by Ben Robson. Unlike her history with Staten, her relationship with Oliver feels fresh and uncomplicated.

Kelly described this new romance as something that is easy for Quinn to idealize because it represents a completely different chapter of her life.

“She meets someone else, and it’s easy to romanticize something new and exciting,” Kelly said.

However, Quinn’s return to Texas changes everything. To her surprise, Staten is no longer exactly the same man she left behind. During her absence, he has undergone a significant transformation, becoming more open, playful and emotionally expressive.

When Quinn sees him again, she is confronted with a version of Staten she had always hoped to see.

Kelly explained that Staten suddenly becomes “charming, funny and silly,” while also telling Quinn many of the things she had wanted to hear from him for a long time. The problem is that his transformation happens after she has already started moving on.

“He’s telling her everything she’s ever wanted to hear from him, but it’s just a little too late,” Kelly said.

As a result, the romantic conflict in season 2 becomes increasingly complicated. Quinn must decide whether to continue with the new life she has created in New York and her relationship with Oliver or reconsider her feelings for Staten now that he appears to be the person she once hoped he would become.

Kelly emphasized that the situation was not originally designed as a traditional love triangle. Instead, it developed naturally from Quinn’s attempt to move forward with her life.

The actress also believes Quinn’s dilemma reflects a much broader reality about relationships and difficult personal choices. Sometimes, people only recognize what they had or understand what they truly want after circumstances have changed.

“It shows that it can take a long time to learn how to figure these things out,” Kelly said.

She added that Quinn’s emotional struggle is something many viewers can understand because relationships are rarely straightforward. Making the right choice can become particularly difficult when several people’s feelings are involved and there is no obvious answer.

“Relationships are hard, and big decisions are hard to make when you want to do the right thing,” Kelly explained.

Although fans will not see Reynolds reprise his role as Billy Brinks in the second season, his brief appearance in season 1 remains a memorable part of the series. Kelly’s comments also reveal just how much the production enjoyed having the musician involved in the show.

For now, viewers will have to follow Quinn’s complicated journey without Billy Brinks entering the picture. Instead, season 2 focuses on Quinn’s evolving feelings for Staten and her relationship with Oliver, while exploring the challenges of returning home after building a new life somewhere else.

With new relationships, unexpected changes and difficult choices ahead, Quinn’s story continues to explore the emotional consequences of love, timing and personal ambition.

Ransom Canyon season 2 is currently available to stream on Netflix.