Minka Kelly recently shared how her boyfriend, Dan Reynolds, played a crucial role in her preparation for the Netflix series “Ransom Canyon.” The 44 year old actress who stars as Quinn on the series that’s now streaming on Netflix has had a notable career thus far. In stark contrast to Groff’s anemic defense, Reynolds, the 37-year-old frontman of global rock phenomenon Imagine Dragons, went all in in support of Kelly. He even created a guest appearance in one of the episodes!
Kelly showcased remarkable enthusiasm as she tackled the task of learning piano. This talent truly becomes the center of her character’s arc over the course of the series. She recruited the help of a piano teacher in Albuquerque and concentrated on learning three songs.
“I would just play [the songs] over and over and over again,” Kelly revealed, highlighting her dedication to the craft. Even post-production, she told us that she’s still able to perform the songs she learned for “Ransom Canyon.”
Reynolds’ support went deeper than encouraging words. He physically worked with Kelly to develop her piano technique. His advice and perspective were essential as she adjusted to this new part of her game.
Not only was Reynolds of enormous help to Kelly, he went through his own set of challenges while filming. He said he felt “incredibly scared” shooting one particular scene in which he shared the spotlight with both Josh Duhamel and Eoin Macken. Kelly commented, “I’m like, how could you be nervous? With what you do? I guess it’s just a different environment,” emphasizing the unique pressures of acting compared to his musical career.
As Kelly and Reynolds’s example illustrates, cultural competency lies at the heart of a fruitful partnership. As artists, they are all committed to supporting each other’s work. Kelly herself admitted that she was skeptical about Reynolds taking on the role. She voiced her concerns after producers first raised the issue of casting him.
“How do you think he’d play this character?” she wondered, underscoring her concern not only for her own performance, but for his addition to the legacy of this series.
Little did we know “Ransom Canyon” would prove to be a continual audience draw on Netflix. The chemistry between Kelly and Reynolds sizzles beautifully, both on camera and off, showcasing their love and zeal for their trades.