Our first digital May cover for Popternative Magazine features actor Andrew Liner who stars as Reid Collins in Netflix’s new Western drama series, Ransom Canyon.
The series, which dropped worldwide on Netflix on April 17th, follows three ranching dynasties who fight for their land, their legacies and the people they love in a small Texas Town. Liner stars alongside Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, Jack Schumacher, Eoin Macken, Lizzy Greene and more in the hit Netflix series.
In our exclusive chat with our May 2025 cover star, Andrew discusses the first and last day on set filming the series, the preparation that went into playing a character that is ‘lost’ and some memorable on set experiences.
Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Addison O’Connor
Stylist: Nora Foley and Annie Easton (Annie & Nora)
Hair: Alex Thao
PR: Sean Reilly
What was your first and last day like filming Ransom Canyon?
Andrew Liner (AL): The first day of Ransom Canyon was so fun. It was a scene that ended up getting cut, but it was with me, Lizzy [Greene], and Jen [Jennifer Ens] and we all had so much fun. It was a light day which was good because I remember all of us being pretty nervous. The last day of shooting was the pep rally speech Niko [Guardado] and I made and all of us “kids” wrapped together, which is a moment I’ll never forget. We all embraced and Amanda [Marsalis] gave a speech, it was very special.
What was the preparation process like for your character?
AL: I decided to take care of myself physically first, so looking like a Texas home-grown, small town high school quarterback was the physical deal. And on top of that, I decided to get back in the mindset of how impulsive, and how much you think you know compared to what you actually know when you’re in high school. As young adults you think you know all these things, when in reality you know nothing. But really prep work is trying to get in a state of being as present as possible for 6 months in a foreign place.
How do you prepare to play characters that are going through self-reflection and are sometimes lost?
AL: I think in a way we are all lost or have been lost before. I definitely have been lost and maybe I still am lost, but isn’t that the point of life? We are just constantly trying to figure it all out. I know what it feels like to put unnecessary pressure on yourself, mess up, and lose love. I got to explore all of these fun feelings again with Reid, while trying to tell the truth through myself.
Was there a memorable scene to film from your perspective?
AL: A memorable scene was in episode two when Lauren makes out with Lucas, and then comes to console me. I think Reid is going through a million different things in that scene and it was challenging for me to figure out how to tell that honestly. He was grieving Randall, trying not to disappoint his father, and he was heartbroken over Lauren. That’s a pretty sad cocktail he has to drink, but for me it was fun to explore.
What do you think fans enjoy the most when watching Ransom Canyon?
AL: Ransom Canyon is a fun ride! We explore drama and I think it shows just how much fun we had making it, in how fun it is to watch.
_
Ransom Canyon is streaming on Netflix.
Follow Andrew Liner: Instagram
Follow Popternative Magazine: Instagram