Lizzy Greene from Ransom Canyon pleaded for Lauren's chaotic storyline this season.

      Elena, Stefan, and Damon. Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. Jackie, Cole, and Alex. Now we have Lauren, Lucas, and Kit. Ransom Canyon, Netflix's Western drama, has recently introduced its own complicated brotherly love triangle as the second season focuses on Russell siblings Lucas (Garrett Wareing) and Kit (Casey W. Johnson) competing for the affection of down-on-her-luck cheerleader Lauren Brigman (Lizzy Greene). Who will win her heart? More importantly, are you #TeamLucas or #TeamKit? After some friendly questioning, Greene has taken a side. For now, she is #TeamKit—emphasizing "for now." The former Nickelodeon (Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn) and ABC (A Million Little Things) star admits Lauren’s situation is quite chaotic this season, though Greene acknowledges that this may be somewhat of her doing. After the first season concluded, Greene expressed to showrunner April Blair her desire for Lauren to face some struggles in season two. She made the request, and they delivered. This season, Lauren is dealing with the aftermath of her career-ending cheer injury and her mother's shocking revelation, and things aren't going smoothly. Her relationship with Lucas is strained, and the arrival of his older brother is likely to create further distance between the young couple.

      On a hot July afternoon, we chatted with the actress about her fortunate role in Ransom Canyon, intensifying the drama for season two, and starring in the eagerly awaited film The 99'ers.

      Reflecting on season one of Ransom Canyon, what was the most notable feedback you received about Lauren Brigman?

      I was pleasantly surprised by the number of young viewers the show attracted. It was really heartwarming. When the show premiered, Garrett and I spent days on my couch watching reactions and reading comments. We adored all the fan edits people created. Naturally, Lauren is a bit messy as a 16- or 17-year-old girl, so she’s navigating things in real time.

      The Western genre has recently experienced a resurgence. Why do you think that captivates audiences?

      I believe it’s because it portrays such a niche lifestyle in America, like farming and ranching. As someone from Texas, I can tell you that while I grew up there, I lived in the suburbs. It serves as pure escapism, which is why it has gained so much affection. It’s been wonderful to see it become a staple in media. Much of today’s content is intense, deep, and dark, which I love; however, it's also refreshing to have shows that simply allow you to relax and "zen out," and I think Westerns fulfill that role. As a Texan, I truly enjoy seeing that happen. We’re having a moment.

      As a Southern girl from Dallas, did that make it easier to relate to Lauren? In what other ways are you similar to her?

      When I initially auditioned for Ransom Canyon, it felt serendipitous because Lauren aspired to be a UT cheerleader, and my mom was one. The show was set to film in New Mexico, where my dad grew up. Having grown up in Texas, and with the show set there, I could draw from numerous personal experiences. Also, Lauren being a cheerleader resonated with me as gymnastics was a significant part of my life. There were many little quirks that I connected with. Plus, it was cast by a close friend, making it feel like a "lightning in a bottle" situation. I feel fortunate to have received this role.

      Lauren is facing many challenges this season, to say the least. I read you mentioned to the showrunner that if season two happened, you wanted Lauren to go through some hardships. You made a request, and she certainly followed through!

      Absolutely! From the start, I felt that Lauren was on a high in season one, culminating in her arm injury and discovering something shocking about her mother. It was only right that she faced struggles in season two, which is why I was really advocating for it. I wanted challenging material! As an actor, I thrive on difficult scenes, and I selfishly wanted some drama to tackle. They happily obliged. I suggested pursuing the Kit storyline because eliciting emotional responses from the audience—whether it’s frustration after viewing season two or any emotional reaction—indicates everyone is doing their job well. Television should provoke some sort of emotional response, and I believed it was important for Lauren to navigate difficulties this season, especially since Lucas is in a great phase of his life. That contrast probably makes it tough for her, which is why she finds comfort in Kit, who is also grappling with similar life challenges while supporting his brother.

      What excited you the most about diving back into Lauren's character for season two?

      Honestly, knowing where the story was headed thrilled me because I love dramatic work. Stepping into this season