When we think of Netflix’s hits, big city glitz and glam often come to mind. From historical time pieces like Enola Holmes to modern comedies such as Emily In Paris, many of our favorite Netflix originals incorporate the hustle and bustle of metropolitan areas. Luckily for fans of rural living, however, there is at least one show that breaks away from the big city and throws viewers right on into the country.
The Ranch stands out from many other popular shows, thanks to its unique setting in rural Colorado. With a cast of ranch hand characters who face classic rural problems, the series is not just attractive for a country-based audience; it’s also extremely easy for folks to relate to. And a lot of that relatability comes no thanks to the series’s inspiration: Duck Dynasty.
Speaking To A Different Side Of America
While many television fans love the urban vibes we see from shows like Sex And The City, there is a wide audience looking for a totally different kind of viewing experience. It so happens that there are many Americans who enjoy seeing their own, rural lifestyles represented on the silver screen. Perhaps no show proved that point more than the reality program Duck Dynasty.
Duck Dynasty followed the Robertson family as they made their living selling supplies to duck hunters in Louisiana. This may not sound as flashy as a reality show set in, say, Paris, but the program ended up being a massive success. Fans loved watching the Robertson’s build their business, and the show stayed on the air for five seasons— a fact duly noted by the architects of The Ranch.
Trying To Replicate DD’s Successful Run
Because Duck Dynasty was so successful, producers and show makers began to understand that stories about rural America tend to strike a chord with many viewers. Thus, the makers of The Ranch sat down and began mapping out a show set in a small town.
Ashton Kutcher, who starred in the Netflix sitcom, opened up to the press about the connection between the two shows. He explained that the intention of the creators of The Ranch was always for the sitcom to center on the country. Even more tellingly, the actor admitted that a large reason for this was the reception of Duck Dynasty.
“I don’t think the success of Duck Dynasty was an accident,” Kutcher revealed, “I think that show was successful because it spoke to a specific audience that can relate to that life.”
The actor added that there are many people who live in the countryside, yet there are very few shows marketed to that sector of the population. “It’s the middle of the country, the heartland,” Kutcher mused, “yet nobody makes content for them.”
The Ranch seeks to follow in the footsteps of Duck Dynasty to bridge that gap and give a rural audience a television show that makes them feel represented.