Eoin Macken: Netflix’s New Cowboy With Complications

Photo Credit: Storm Santos

Eoin Macken is the latest cowboy to head for the Ransom Canyon hills. The actor, director, producer, and writer is starring on Netflix’s buzzy new show, which debuted on April 17, alongside Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel as Davis Collins. This follows his role on NBC’s hit primetime series La Brea, which earned two People’s Choice Award nominations.

Eoin has deep ties to New York, where he launched his career in both acting and filmmaking. He studied Meisner technique in Manhattan on 7th and 48th, and his first modeling job—an Abercrombie campaign—brought him to the city while he was still in college. He returned frequently, balancing his early career between Dublin and New York, where he immersed himself in the craft. His connection to the city runs even deeper through family—his uncle has lived in the East Village since the 1980s and was involved in street theater with Jim Sheridan and Neil Jordan. Eoin’s early filmmaking journey also took shape in New York; he directed Dreaming for You, a feature film made on a $250 budget with actors from his acting class, which went on to premiere at the Galway Film Festival in the prestigious Friday evening slot. To support himself, he shot music videos in the Bronx and Canarsie, often alone, at a time when those areas were far rougher. New York is where Eoin built his foundation as an artist—where he trained, learned to be a filmmaker, and first began developing his voice as a writer.

On both the film and television fronts, Macken’s resume includes a variety of leading roles across diverse projects. His big break in television came with his portrayal of the hero Sir Gwaine in the hit BBC series Merlin. He later starred in The Forest opposite Taylor Kinney and Natalie Dormer, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter with Milla Jovovich, and in Netflix’s Till Death alongside Megan Fox.

Here, Eoin discusses his latest role.

Photo Credit: Storm Santos

Ransom Canyon is already generating buzz as one of the most anticipated shows of the season. Tell us about David Collins. What drew you to him? Was this the role you auditioned for/wanted initially?

That’s great to hear, and so it should be because the show is really excellent and I’m proud to be a part of it. I was fascinated by Davis Collins because he’s different to the roles I usually play, he had a layered, complex darkness where he is a family man, and dedicated to his son, but only on his very rigid terms, and he is not afraid to do things that are morally dubious to get what he wants if it’s correct in his eyes. I am a big fan of both Amanda Marsalis and April Blair, and their ideas for the show and the character really excited me.

How do you think the audience will react to the series and why?

You can never tell how anybody will react to anything, but I hope that they enjoy it! I anticipate people getting sucked in because the characters are very dynamic and fun, and the storylines are nicely interwoven, and it has a bit of that cowboy Texas grit whilst maintaining a nice balance of romance and fun, which I think is definitely needed these days!

How does Ransom Canyon differ from previous projects you’ve worked on, particularly in terms of storytelling and character development?

I’ve been really lucky with so many of the projects that I’ve worked on, where creatively I’ve got to play and dive deep, and worked with some really talented people, but Ransom Canyon feels different in terms of how the intricacies of the storylines and the scope of it. It’s Texas, so everything is big and loud and brash and that’s been a blast!

Do you hang out with Josh and Minka off-set? Guys nights when you aren’t filming, etc?

Every night is a guys night isn’t it! Josh and Minka are wonderful people, magic dance partners and great fun to be around. We had a great time working together, and Josh has a wicked sense of humor which always makes set fun. Minka is a dream, she’s so talented and relaxed and makes everything so much fun.

The series blends romance, drama, and small-town dynamics. How would you describe the tone of the show, and what do you think will resonate most with viewers?

I think the show is a nicely balanced blend of hopeful romance, dark grit, family politics and big rancher energy. The characters and the story really pull you in, and I think viewers will all be rooting for a different favorite character, which will make it interesting.

David seems to have a complex and layered story. Without giving too much away, what can you share about his journey throughout the season?

Davis pulls at the threads of what is morally balanced, and is culpable for some bad decisions, but he is ultimately a romantic and a good hearted father, who is doing what he thinks is best. He’s got a difficult balance between being a father and keeping it all together and it’s going to be fascinating how he manages that or doesn’t.

Photo Credit: Storm Santos

Your early career involved balancing work between Dublin and New York. Looking back, how did that dual experience influence your artistic journey?

I have always been lucky enough to get to live and work in some great places, but training in New York, whilst coming from Dublin was very fruitful because it gave me a different perspective on life and what industry entails abroad. I lived in London, New York and Los Angeles whilst working in some great places like South Africa, Tunisia, Australia, Bulgaria, France etc. and I was lucky to get to do so.

You’ve acted, directed, produced, written a book and now… you’re a dad. Is that the most challenging role to date? Why or why not?

Let’s see, so far, it’s been a blast, but let’s revisit it when she starts crawling and breaking things! She’s a very calm and happy little kiddo, and there is nothing like seeing the joy on her face in the morning when she wakes up. I’ve never met somebody who is so fascinated by trees and balloons, and I envy her joie de vivre!

Not going to lie — big fan of Lifetime movies. You’ve also done horror, period pieces, and more. What’s been your personal favorite movie to shoot so far and why?

I think having a balance in projects and characters is what any actor and artist strives for – that ability to test yourself and learn in different environs, and each genre requires a slightly altered approach but at the end of the day it’s fundamentally about finding the truth of the character and trusting in the director and the story. But for absolute fun, it was Resident Evil with Paul and Milla because they’re both a blast to work with.

What’s next?

I have to go buy some more balloons for Bianca, but after that I took some time off after Ransom Canyon to finish my next book and finesse some scripts which I hope to direct later this year. As I have gotten older, I have begun to properly appreciate and cherish the rewriting process and how important it is to getting a story correct.

Tell the truth: how difficult is it for others to pronounce your name? You must have some funny stories there.

I just come when somebody grunts in my direction now, I gave up on my name being spelled correctly many years ago!

What to you is the greatest luxury in life and why?

Time. To be able to lie in bed in the morning, have coffee and read the paper, and not be in a rush. Those moments to be calm and relaxed are to be cherished and I’ve always been appreciative of that, now even more so with the kiddo!

Photo Credit: Storm Santos

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