Ransom Canyon has several love triangles to root for — but there’s something about Lucas, Lauren and Reid that has Us obsessed.
The Netflix series, which premiered on Thursday, April 17, is based on Jodi Thomas‘ book series about a town that is full of drama, romance and hope in Texas Hill Country. In one corner of Ransom Canyon, high school students Lucas (Garrett Wareing) and Reid (Andrew Liner) vying for Lauren’s (Lizzy Greene) heart. (The season started with Lauren secretly dating Lucas after breaking up with Reid.)
“We get thrown into it immediately in this show,” Wareing, 23, told Us Weekly during a joint interview with Greene, 21, and Liner, 24. “I remember receiving the scripts and being like, ‘Who are all these people?’ There were so many names and different story lines that are being introduced. It was really just about focusing up on what each of our characters are doing.”
Liner called it “fun” to just jump in, adding, “Usually where we start is more of a climax moment for a different version of this show. We had a whole bunch of layers that we got to play with going into the world.”
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Speaking of moments that weren’t actually on screen, how much Lucas, Lauren and Reid content didn’t make the cut? Liner confirmed there were unaired scenes between him and Niko Guardado in addition to more moments that “really developed” the Reid and Lauren relationship.
“It established the relationship between us, which I think they made the right call [not including all of it],” Liner admitted. “They didn’t really need that much more focus. I think what was on the screen was a lot more interesting.”
Greene, meanwhile, learned a lot about Lauren’s family from scenes that fans won’t get to see.
“There was a lot of stuff with my parents specifically that ended up getting cut for time, which just more explored my mom’s alcoholism in the show,” the actress noted. “I understand why they didn’t do it. Some stuff can just be kind of explained through the subtext.”
As for Wareing? He recalled “some sex scenes” that will ultimately not see the light of day. Ransom Canyon fans don’t have to worry too much though since season 1 is full of romantic moments between a multitude of characters — including Wareing’s Lucas and Greene’s Lauren.
Following a few obstacles during the first half of the season, Lauren and Lucas became an official couple — but not before Lucas bonded with Reid after they developed a genuine friendship.
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“I have to say that during the mud fight [between Reid and Lucas], why is there so much tension here?” Greene quipped. “But also that’s how they shot our show. Every way they shot our show was in a very intimate and romantic way.”
Wareing couldn’t help but agree before pointing out the “very charged scene” where Lucas and his brother Kit are both in their underwear as the older Russell sibling gets arrested. Meanwhile, Liner was just thrilled that Ransom Canyon took the time to explore the friendship between Lucas and Reid.
“There is something to say about male friendships in general. It feels like it is a deep love,” the actor explained to Us. “So I think that having that you see them come together as friends — because they’re not from jump — is a version of its own love story. But maybe it’s not as romantic.”
When asked about the potential for a love triangle turned throuple, Wareing and Liner were very enthusiastic, saying, “[We’re] not denying the poly[amorous] potential. We are opening the door [and] opening the relationship.”
Greene pointed out how the first season “opens the door for the audience” to choose who they want to see together.
“Things are set up where everyone is in a love triangle in season 1 because it opens the door for the audience to say what they like,” she shared. “Then also hopefully we get another season. It gives our writers and everyone an opportunity to see what people like and then lean into it more season 2.”
That means that the love triangle might not be settled despite Lucas and Lauren ending the season together.
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“Depending on what the audience likes more of, who knows what they do with that next season,” Greene teased while Liner recalled his character’s final line, “He said, ‘The battle is lost but the war has just begun.’”
Greene remained hopeful about where Lucas, Lauren and Reid land.
“There is still a lot of love there and a lot of care for each other. That is kind of where everyone sits [because] there’s no animosity toward anybody. Everyone loves and cares about everyone,” she shared. “That’s why it ends up so well is because while they are butting heads in the beginning, they both really admire each other.”
Wareing, for his part, was much more clear that he sees Lucas and Lauren as the “endgame” relationship on the show, telling Us, “We saw Lucas and Lauren very happy in season 1. What does it look like when we don’t see them happy and when we are facing real world hardship? And what does it look like to feel that pull and come back together?”
He continued: “Lucas is looking to explore [life outside of Ransom Canyon] but is it worth exploring without the love of his life? That’s a question that we’re going to have to answer in season 2 — if we’re lucky. Lucas loves Lauren so much that his dream wouldn’t be complete without her.”
But what about each character outside of their individual romantic entanglements? Liner told Us he can’t wait for season 2 to dive into his family’s history more while offering quite a hot take on Reid’s decisions so far.
“He should have never gone against his family. He was trying to do the right thing and he’s figuring out what is right for him. He’s constantly in this battle of what is good,” he explained, referring to Reid going against his dad. “I think that the most interesting stuff is going to be with his dad, with his mom and figuring out that world. Because we don’t get to see much of it in season 1 — even though it’s discussed a lot and we get to see glimpses. I am very fascinated with that.”
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Greene is on board with more of Lauren’s “family life” being explored. “What she sees with her parents greatly affects how she goes about her relationships. She doesn’t have a great model when it comes to her mom and dad so that’s also what fuels her to maybe make some of the decisions she does,” she added. “I’d love to see that get explored more. I told our showrunner that I just want to struggle. Give me some [issues], She was head cheerleader. She got everything she wanted. I was like, I think next season we should see her trip and stumble a little bit.” (Greene may be forgetting Lauren blowing her UT cheerleading tryout but we are always in for even more drama!)
It comes as no surprise that Wareing is in the same boat about Lucas’ loved ones. He specifically pointed out that we have yet to meet Lucas’ dad who abandoned him — and Wareing already has some ideas.
“I would love Josh Lucas to join our cast,” Wareing mentioned before signing off on Us‘ pitch for James Brolin‘s son, Josh Brolin, to play the Russell patriarch. “Honestly, I love that idea and I’ll take it.”
The other stories the cast wants to see more of are very simple: more football and more horses.
Ransom Canyon starts streaming on Netflix Thursday, April 17.
