Ransom Canyon star Minka Kelly reveals she has thought about leaving Hollywood 'many times' for a less than glamorous 'backup profession'

Daily Mail​

23-04-2025

Minka Kelly has opened up about how she considered leaving acting 'many times' for her 'backup profession' - which is a far cry from the glitz and glam of Hollywood.
The actress, 44, told how she is considering returning to her 'backup' career as an operating room scrub nurse because it continues to give her 'a bit of confidence'.
The Friday Night Lights star, who is dating singer-songwriter Dan Reynolds, discussed the option during an appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends show with guest co-host Andy Cohen on Tuesday.
During the interview, Andy asked: 'Is it true that you thought Hollywood was over you?', to which Minka said she had considered 'many times'.
She said: 'I think after any job finishes If any amount of time passes, you're like, "Okay, this is it. I had a good run. And that's okay, everything's okay. I have my backup. I can be a scrub tech again".
When asked if she thought about going back to being a scrub tech in the OR (operating room), Minka said: 'I think of it all the time. I think it's something that gives me a bit of confidence...'
Minka Kelly has opened up about how she considered leaving acting 'many times' for her 'backup profession' - which is a far cry from the glitz and glam of Hollywood
Referring to the entertainment industry, she said: 'You know this isn't the whole world. So the rejection that you get being an actor is sort of balanced out for me and you can go, "But I'm good at this. I know I'm good at this".
Speaking about her experience of being a nurse, she said: 'I loved it so much. It's really good to feel like you're good at something.'
Minka's latest project is Netflix series Ransom Canyon - which has been dubbed as the next Yellowstone.
The series debuted on the streaming platform on April 17 but the reviews that are pouring in are so far mixed.
'Love, loss, and loyalty collide when three ranching family dynasties fight for control of the land. Their lives and legacies are threatened by outside forces intent on destroying their way of life,' Netflix's synopsis read.
Reviewers seemed to dislike the drama more than viewers with headlines calling it 'a try-hard Western' that is a 'far cry from Yellowstone,' and 'goes down easy but leaves a weird after taste.'
The soapy series also stars Josh Duhamel, James Brolin, Eoin Macken, Lizzy Greene, Andrew Liner, Marianly Tejada, Garrett Wareing and Jack Schumacher.
USA Today gave the series one and a half stars out of four as it said, 'Peek underneath the jean jackets and cowboy hats and you'll find there's very little substance to Canyon.'
AV Club said, 'The show's ten episodes are engineered for maximum escapism and bingeability.'
Both Duhamel and Kelly have compared their western soap to food.
The Win a Date with Tad Hamilton star, called it 'comfort food,' while the Friday Night Lights actress called it 'gooey chocolate cake.'
And while many reviews compared Ransom Canyon to Yellowstone and its spin-offs, that wasn't quite on the mark.
Netflix was looking to capitalize on the success they've had with romantic dramas Virgin and Sweet Magnolias, this time with some western flair.
The series is adapted from the series of books by Jodi Thomas and created by Wednesday writer April Blair. Set in the fictional town of Ransom Canyon, Variety called it 'horny, absurd, and ridiculously entertaining' and 'a sexy, predictable, breezy viewing experience that delivers on its promises.'
The Hollywood Reporter called the series, 'featureless and formulaic, happy to borrow just a fraction of your attention while you mostly focus on other things.'
Another thing that isn't sitting well with reviewers is the entirely white cast that focuses on several love triangles and an as-thus unrequited love between Duhamel's Staten and Kelly's Quinn.
Quinn is not only the owner of the only bar in town, she's also Staten's late wife's best friend.
Staten is hauling around a heap of grief having lost his wife and only son in the not too recent past.
Over on X, (formerly Twitter), viewers, who've had 12 ish hours to see the series are more positive about it.
Users of that social media platform shared pics of the various couples on the show and commented about the heat and the tension.
Several of the reviews called Ransom Canyon, background TV, but they clearly didn't check with its intended audience.
One fan wrote, 'they rly gaslit me in the trailer bc why'd i think that scene of quinn and davis laying by the fireplace was quinn and stanten.'
Davis Collins is played by Eoin Macken and he comes with almost as much baggage as Staten does.
Davis is a thrice-divorced single father who is basically a grifter who knows how to turn on the charm to entice Quinn.
Another viewer, wrote: 'He as the cowboy who lost his wife and son and she as the hidden artist who was a friend of his late wife. me: I LOVE THE DRAMA.'
Someone else compared it to Netflix's Virgin River, ' If Yellowstone was made by Hallmark, you'd get Ransom Canyon — all the ranch drama, none of the grit. If you're into Virgin River vibes, this one's your next binge.'
And for one Minka Kelly fan, they are just grateful she's back on screen to watch.
'Minka Kelly back on my screen in Ransom Canyon is the small-town drama serotonin I needed. Ranch life, secrets, and Minka? Say less.'