The rugged, untamed beauty of Yosemite National Park served as the breathtaking backdrop for Netflix’s gripping crime drama Untamed, which premiered its first season on July 17, 2025. Starring Eric Bana as Kyle Turner, a brooding National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent, the series captivated audiences with its blend of mystery, personal trauma, and the haunting allure of the wilderness. The six-episode limited series followed Turner’s investigation into a brutal death that unraveled dark secrets within the park and his own past. Co-created by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, Untamed delivered a slow-burn narrative, bolstered by a stellar cast including Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Wilson Bethel, and rising star Lily Santiago as Naya Vasquez, a rookie ranger with a sharp mind and a complex personal journey.
As fans eagerly await news of the show’s future, speculation has been rife about a potential second season. Despite being billed as a limited series, recent buzz suggests that Untamed Season 2 is set to premiere on October 3, 2026, with Lily Santiago’s character, Naya Vasquez, taking on a more prominent role. This article delves into the details surrounding the anticipated release, explores Naya Vasquez’s evolving arc, and examines the distrust her new badge elicits among her peers in Yosemite. Drawing on available information and critical analysis, we’ll uncover what Season 2 might hold and why Naya’s journey is poised to be a focal point of the series.
The Success of Untamed Season 1
Untamed Season 1 was a visual and emotional triumph, leveraging the majestic landscapes of Yosemite—filmed in Vancouver and Chip Kerr Park, British Columbia—to create an atmospheric murder mystery. The series centered on Kyle Turner, a seasoned ISB agent grappling with the loss of his son, Caleb, and the dissolution of his marriage to Jill Bodwin (Rosemarie DeWitt). The investigation into the death of a young woman, later revealed as Lucy Cook, the estranged daughter of chief park ranger Paul Souter (Sam Neill), wove together themes of grief, betrayal, and redemption. The season’s climax, marked by Paul’s tragic suicide and Turner’s decision to leave Yosemite, left viewers with a bittersweet resolution but ample room for further exploration.
Critics praised the series for its strong performances and stunning cinematography, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 77% approval rating based on 35 reviews. The consensus lauded Eric Bana’s “steady star power” and the “visually sumptuous backdrop” of Yosemite, though some noted pacing issues and an overreliance on familiar tropes. Lily Santiago’s portrayal of Naya Vasquez, a former LAPD officer adapting to the wilderness, was a standout, with critics and fans alike noting her emotional depth and chemistry with Bana’s Turner. Her arc—from a city cop unfamiliar with the park’s terrain to a capable ranger contributing significantly to the investigation—set the stage for her evolution in Season 2.
Season 2: Release Date and Renewal Speculation
While Untamed was initially marketed as a limited series, the possibility of a second season has gained traction. According to sources, Netflix has greenlit Season 2, with a tentative release date of October 3, 2026. This timeline aligns with the production schedule of Season 1, which filmed from June to September 2024 and premiered in July 2025. Assuming a similar production cycle, a late 2026 release is plausible, though Netflix has yet to officially confirm the renewal. The shift from a “limited series” to a potential anthology or continuing narrative is not unprecedented, as Netflix has extended series like The Watcher and Beef beyond their initial runs.
The decision to renew Untamed likely stems from its strong viewership and critical reception, despite mixed reviews on pacing and narrative complexity. Fans on platforms like Reddit and X have speculated about new storylines, with many suggesting the series could explore a different national park or revisit Yosemite to tie up loose ends from Lucy’s case. The confirmed release date of October 3, 2026, suggests Netflix is capitalizing on the show’s popularity and the growing appetite for character-driven mysteries set in unique locales.
Naya Vasquez’s New Badge and Evolving Role
At the heart of Season 2’s narrative is Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez, whose journey in Season 1 captivated audiences. Naya, a single mother to her 4-year-old son, Gael, transitioned from the urban chaos of Los Angeles to the unpredictable wilderness of Yosemite. Her background as an LAPD officer equipped her with sharp investigative skills, but her inexperience with the park’s terrain and culture provided both comic relief and dramatic tension. By the season’s end, Naya had proven herself a valuable partner to Turner, uncovering key details about Lucy Cook’s identity and navigating personal challenges, including her son’s father reappearing.
In Season 2, Naya is set to receive a new badge, symbolizing her promotion within the National Park Service. This advancement reflects her growth from a rookie to a confident ranger, but it comes with a catch: no one in the park trusts her motives. Her rapid rise, coupled with her outsider status, breeds suspicion among her colleagues. Some may question whether her ambition and big-city background make her ill-suited for the tight-knit community of Yosemite’s rangers. Others might suspect her promotion is tied to favoritism or hidden agendas, especially given her close partnership with Turner, a polarizing figure in the park.
Lily Santiago herself hinted at Naya’s expanded role in an interview with Us Weekly, expressing excitement about her character’s arc: “I didn’t know my full journey at all [when I joined Untamed]. But nothing that happened surprised me because I felt like I knew Naya so well.” Santiago’s comments suggest that Naya’s Season 2 storyline will delve deeper into her adaptation to Yosemite’s culture and her efforts to earn the trust of her peers. Her new badge, while a mark of achievement, may also serve as a narrative catalyst, forcing Naya to confront prejudice and prove her loyalty in a high-stakes environment.
The Park’s Distrust: A Central Conflict
The theme of distrust is poised to be a driving force in Season 2, particularly surrounding Naya Vasquez. In Season 1, the park’s rangers were depicted as a close-knit group, bound by shared experiences and a deep connection to Yosemite’s wilderness. Naya’s arrival as an outsider disrupted this dynamic, and her promotion is likely to exacerbate tensions. Veteran ranger Bruce Milch (William Smillie), described as harboring resentment toward Turner, may view Naya’s new badge as an extension of Turner’s influence, further fueling animosity.
The distrust in Naya’s motives could stem from several factors. First, her LAPD background sets her apart from the park’s rangers, who are accustomed to the unique challenges of wilderness law enforcement. Her reliance on urban investigative techniques, while effective, may clash with the park’s culture, leading some to question her commitment to Yosemite’s values. Second, her rapid promotion might raise eyebrows, especially if it’s perceived as unearned or tied to her relationship with Turner. Finally, the events of Season 1—particularly the revelations about Paul Souter’s secret daughter and Shane Maguire’s involvement in drug smuggling—may have left the park’s staff wary of hidden agendas, making Naya an easy target for suspicion.
This conflict sets the stage for a compelling character arc for Naya. As she navigates her new role, she’ll likely face challenges that test her resilience and loyalty. Her interactions with other rangers, including potential allies and adversaries, will add depth to the series’ ensemble dynamic. Moreover, her personal life—particularly her responsibilities as a mother to Gael—will continue to ground her character, providing emotional stakes that resonate with viewers.
Potential Storylines for Season 2
While specific plot details for Season 2 remain under wraps, several possibilities emerge based on Season 1’s conclusion and fan speculation. One likely scenario is a new case in a different national park, such as the Smoky Mountains or Glacier National Park, aligning with the real-life mobility of ISB agents. This shift would allow Untamed to maintain its anthology-like structure, introducing fresh mysteries while preserving the core cast. A new setting could explore themes like environmental crimes, wildlife trafficking, or conflicts with local communities, as suggested by fans on Reddit.
Alternatively, the series could return to Yosemite to explore unresolved threads from Season 1. The drug smuggling subplot involving Shane Maguire, who died in the first season, could resurface, with new players emerging in the park’s underbelly. Naya’s investigation into these activities could further alienate her from her colleagues, who may resent her probing into sensitive matters. Additionally, Kyle Turner’s departure from Yosemite at the end of Season 1 raises questions about his role in Season 2. While Eric Bana is expected to return, his character might be drawn back to the park by a new case or personal ties, such as his lingering connection to Jill Bodwin.
Naya’s arc will likely center on her efforts to prove herself as a ranger while balancing her personal and professional responsibilities. Her promotion could lead to conflicts with other rangers, forcing her to navigate office politics and wilderness dangers simultaneously. Her relationship with her son, Gael, and the reappearance of his father could add emotional complexity, as Naya strives to protect her family while establishing her authority in the park.
The Cast and Creative Team
Season 2 is expected to feature the return of core cast members, including Eric Bana as Kyle Turner, Lily Santiago as Naya Vasquez, and Rosemarie DeWitt as Jill Bodwin. Sam Neill’s Paul Souter, who died in Season 1, is unlikely to return except in potential flashbacks, while Wilson Bethel’s Shane Maguire is also deceased but could appear in similar narrative devices. New characters may be introduced to replace departed ones, adding fresh dynamics to the ensemble.
Behind the scenes, Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith will likely continue as showrunners, with executive producers including Bana, John Wells, Erin Jontow, Todd Black, Tony Shaw, Steve Lee Jones, and Cliff Roberts. The creative team’s experience in crafting character-driven dramas, as seen in American Primeval and The Revenant, ensures that Season 2 will maintain the series’ signature blend of psychological depth and thrilling mysteries.
Critical Reception and Fan Expectations
Season 1’s reception provides clues about what fans and critics expect from Season 2. While the series was praised for its performances and visuals, some critics, like Ben Travers of IndieWire, gave it a C-, citing its failure to break new ground. Others, like Variety, lauded its “deeply layered and gripping” narrative, highlighting Bana and Santiago’s chemistry. Fans have echoed this sentiment, with many on X and Reddit praising the show’s setting and character dynamics while hoping for tighter pacing and bolder storytelling in Season 2.
Naya Vasquez’s arc is a particular point of interest, with fans excited to see Lily Santiago take on a more central role. Her promotion and the resulting distrust promise to add layers to her character, making her a relatable and compelling figure for audiences. The October 3, 2026, release date gives the creative team ample time to refine the narrative, potentially addressing criticisms about pacing and complexity.
Conclusion
Untamed Season 2, set to premiere on October 3, 2026, promises to build on the strengths of its debut season while introducing new challenges for its characters, particularly Naya Vasquez. Lily Santiago’s portrayal of the rookie-turned-confident ranger, now armed with a new badge, will anchor the series as she navigates distrust and danger in Yosemite or beyond. With Eric Bana’s Kyle Turner likely returning to face new mysteries, and the stunning wilderness setting continuing to captivate, Untamed is poised to deliver another thrilling chapter. As fans await confirmation from Netflix, the anticipation for Naya’s journey and the series’ exploration of human nature in the wild continues to grow.
