When Untamed premiered on Netflix on July 17, 2025, it took the streaming world by storm, climbing to the No. 1 spot on the Top 10 charts with its gripping wilderness thriller set in Yosemite National Park. The six-episode limited series, starring Eric Bana as National Parks Service agent Kyle Turner, captivated audiences with its murder mystery, stunning visuals, and a haunting final twist that earned an 83% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Initially billed as a standalone miniseries, Untamed’s massive success—20.2 million views in its first week—prompted Netflix to greenlight a second season, set to debut in early 2026. Season 2 promises to upend everything fans thought they knew, flipping the timeline to reveal that some events in Season 1 were deliberately planted, and one pivotal scene was entirely fabricated. This article dives into the details of Untamed Season 2’s bold narrative shift, explores its implications for the story and characters, and examines why this twist-heavy approach is generating buzz among fans and critics alike.

A Recap of Untamed Season 1

Untamed Season 1 followed Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), a troubled park ranger investigating the mysterious death of a young woman at Yosemite National Park, initially believed to be a tragic fall from El Capitan. Alongside his partner Naya Vazquez (Lily Santiago) and mentor Paul Souter (Sam Neill), Turner uncovered a web of secrets involving the park’s community, from local workers to environmentalists. The series wove a slow-burn mystery with Turner’s personal struggles—grief over his son’s death, a drinking problem, and a strained relationship with his ex-wife Jill (Rosemarie DeWitt). The Yosemite setting, with its towering cliffs and dense forests, amplified the tension, serving as both a breathtaking backdrop and a metaphor for the characters’ inner turmoil.

The season’s finale delivered a shocking twist, described by critics as “genuinely affecting” and “unforgettable,” that reframed the central mystery and left viewers questioning the nature of truth and justice. Without spoiling specifics, the twist hinged on revelations about the victim’s connections and Turner’s own past, earning praise for its emotional depth but criticism from some, like Paste Magazine, for feeling abrupt. The series’ success, with 31 million hours watched in its first week, stemmed from its blend of Yellowstone-style neo-Western grit and True Detective-esque psychological depth, making it a standout in Netflix’s 2025 lineup.

Season 2’s Bold Timeline Flip

Netflix’s announcement of Untamed Season 2 in September 2025 came as a surprise, given the show’s initial billing as a limited series. According to showrunner Mark L. Smith, Season 2, set to premiere in February 2026, will take a daring narrative approach by flipping the timeline, blending events before, during, and after Season 1 to reveal new layers of the story. This non-linear storytelling will expose that certain events in Season 1 were “planted”—deliberately staged or manipulated to mislead both Turner and the audience. Most shockingly, one key scene, teased as pivotal to the Season 1 mystery, was entirely fabricated, a revelation that recontextualizes the entire investigation.

While Netflix and the creative team have kept details under wraps to avoid spoilers, early promotional materials suggest that Season 2 will focus on Turner’s continued search for answers, now questioning his own perceptions and the motives of those around him. The timeline flip will explore events leading up to the woman’s death, including previously unseen moments from Turner’s past and interactions within Yosemite’s community. A teaser trailer released in December 2025 hinted at a deeper exploration of Paul Souter’s role, with Sam Neill’s character appearing in cryptic flashbacks that suggest he may have known more than he let on. Naya Vazquez, played by Lily Santiago, will also take a more prominent role, confronting her own doubts about the case and her partnership with Turner.

The revelation that a key Season 1 scene was fake has sparked intense speculation on platforms like X, with fans theorizing about which moment—perhaps a critical piece of evidence or a character’s testimony—was fabricated. Posts like “Untamed S2 is about to blow our minds—how much of S1 was a lie?!” and “That fake scene reveal has me rethinking EVERYTHING” reflect the anticipation and intrigue. This narrative gambit aligns with shows like Your Honor and The Undoing, which used twists to subvert audience expectations, but Untamed’s wilderness setting and focus on psychological stakes set it apart.

Implications for the Story and Characters

The timeline flip and the revelation of a fabricated scene promise to deepen Untamed’s exploration of truth, memory, and deception. Season 1 established Turner as a flawed but empathetic protagonist, driven by guilt over his son’s death and a need to redeem himself through his work. The discovery that parts of his investigation were manipulated could push him further into self-doubt, challenging his trust in his colleagues and himself. Eric Bana, in a recent interview with Variety, teased that Season 2 will see Turner “grappling with the idea that what he thought was real might have been a construct,” hinting at a psychological unraveling that could rival True Detective’s introspective leads.

Naya Vazquez, who served as a grounded counterpoint to Turner in Season 1, is poised for a breakout arc. Lily Santiago’s character will reportedly confront her own past, including ties to Yosemite’s Indigenous community, which could tie into the planted clues. Sam Neill’s Paul Souter, a fatherly figure in Season 1, may emerge as a more ambiguous character, with the timeline flip revealing hidden motivations. Rosemarie DeWitt’s Jill, whose limited role in Season 1 focused on her fractured relationship with Turner, is expected to return in flashbacks that explore their marriage and the events leading to their son’s death, adding emotional weight to the narrative.

The fabricated scene raises questions about who orchestrated the deception and why. Was it a cover-up by park insiders, as hinted in Season 1’s subplots about corruption? Or does it tie to Turner’s personal history, suggesting a deeper conspiracy? The timeline flip allows Untamed to reframe Season 1’s events, much like Westworld or The OA used non-linear storytelling to reveal hidden truths. This approach risks alienating viewers if the twists feel unearned, but early buzz suggests that Smith and his team have crafted a cohesive narrative that builds on Season 1’s foundation.

Critical and Audience Expectations

Critics who praised Season 1 for its performances and Yosemite setting are cautiously optimistic about Season 2. The Hollywood Reporter’s Daniel Fienberg, who called Season 1 “engaging but unpolished,” noted that the timeline flip could elevate Untamed if it avoids the pitfalls of overcomplicating the narrative. ScreenHub’s Anthony Morris expressed excitement for the “bold risk” of revisiting Season 1’s events, suggesting that the fake scene reveal could redeem the first season’s pacing issues. However, ScreenRant, which gave Season 1 a 4/10 for its predictable mystery, warned that Season 2 must deliver a “compelling justification” for retconning key moments to avoid feeling manipulative.

Audience reactions on X have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with posts like “Untamed S2 flipping the timeline?! I’m ready to have my mind blown again!” and “If they pull off that fake scene reveal, this could be Netflix’s best thriller yet.” The show’s 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter reflects strong fan support, though some express skepticism about stretching a standalone story into a second season. The success of similar twist-heavy series, like The White Lotus or Succession, suggests that Untamed could thrive if it balances its shocks with character-driven storytelling.

Comparisons to Other Netflix Dramas

Untamed Season 2’s narrative approach draws parallels to other Netflix dramas that have used timeline manipulation and twists to captivate audiences. The OA, with its dimension-hopping reveals, and Dark, with its intricate time loops, successfully employed non-linear storytelling to deepen their mysteries. Untamed’s focus on a fabricated scene echoes Your Honor’s Season 1 twist, where key evidence was manipulated, though Untamed’s wilderness setting and psychological focus give it a unique edge. Compared to Yellowstone, which maintained a linear narrative across five seasons, Untamed’s compact format and timeline flip offer a fresher, more experimental take on the neo-Western genre.

Netflix’s recent slate of thrillers, including American Primeval and The Waterfront, has struggled to match Untamed’s critical acclaim. American Primeval, another Mark L. Smith project, earned a 65% Rotten Tomatoes score and was criticized for its bloated scope, while The Waterfront’s 63% score reflected its uneven tone. Untamed’s ability to blend Yellowstone’s rugged aesthetic with True Detective’s introspective mystery has positioned it as a standout, and Season 2’s bold narrative choices could cement its status as a genre-defining hit.

The Wilderness as a Narrative Force

Yosemite National Park remains a central character in Season 2, with its landscapes playing a larger role in the timeline flip. Promotional materials suggest new locations within the park, such as Tuolumne Meadows and Half Dome, will feature prominently, with flashbacks revealing how the wilderness shaped the planted events. The park’s dual nature—beautiful yet dangerous—mirrors the deception at the heart of the story, with scenes of serene vistas juxtaposed against perilous cliffs and raging rivers. This aligns with Season 1’s use of Yosemite as a metaphor for Turner’s inner turmoil, and Season 2 is expected to deepen this symbolism, potentially exploring environmental themes tied to the park’s preservation.

The inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, hinted at through Naya’s arc, could add depth to the narrative, addressing the park’s history and the impact of tourism and development. This approach distinguishes Untamed from Yellowstone, which faced criticism for its limited representation of Native American stories. By grounding its twists in the park’s cultural and natural significance, Untamed aims to elevate its storytelling beyond mere shock value.

Why the Buzz Matters

The buzz around Untamed Season 2 stems from its promise to challenge viewers’ perceptions of Season 1 while delivering new emotional and narrative stakes. The timeline flip and fake scene revelation tap into the current trend of twist-driven storytelling, seen in hits like Severance and Yellowjackets. Netflix’s investment in Untamed reflects its strategy to capitalize on the neo-Western craze, filling the void left by Yellowstone’s conclusion. With a reported 40 million hours watched projected for Season 2’s first week, based on Season 1’s performance, the series is poised to dominate Netflix’s charts again.

Social media reactions on X highlight the anticipation, with fans posting, “Untamed S2 is gonna make us question everything we saw in S1—count me in!” and “That fake scene better be worth the hype, Netflix!” The show’s ability to generate discussion, coupled with its stellar cast and unique setting, positions it as a cultural touchstone for 2026. However, the risk of alienating fans with retcons looms large, and Season 2’s success will hinge on delivering a coherent and emotionally resonant narrative.

Conclusion

Untamed Season 2, set to premiere in February 2026, is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most ambitious thrillers, flipping the timeline to reveal that Season 1’s events were laced with planted clues and a fabricated scene that redefines the entire story. With Eric Bana’s Kyle Turner at the helm, supported by Lily Santiago and Sam Neill, the series promises to deepen its exploration of truth, deception, and redemption against the stunning backdrop of Yosemite National Park. While the bold narrative risks could divide audiences, the critical praise for Season 1 and the buzz surrounding the new season suggest Untamed could surpass its predecessor and rival Yellowstone’s legacy. For fans of twist-heavy dramas and neo-Western grit, Untamed Season 2 is a must-watch that will keep you guessing—and haunted—long after the final episode. Stream it on Netflix in early 2026 to uncover the secrets that will change everything.