Netflix’s Untamed stormed onto screens on July 17, 2025, transforming the majestic vistas of Yosemite National Park into a haunting stage for a gripping crime drama. Anchored by Eric Bana’s raw portrayal of Kyle Turner, a tormented National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent, the series wove a tale of murder, grief, and buried secrets against the rugged backdrop of the wilderness. The six-episode limited series, co-created by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, followed Kyle’s investigation into a brutal death that exposed the dark underbelly of Yosemite and forced him to confront his own fractured past. With a stellar ensemble cast—including Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Wilson Bethel, and Lily Santiago—Untamed blended atmospheric storytelling with emotional depth, earning praise for its visuals and performances.

As the first season concluded with a bittersweet resolution, fans clamored for more, despite the show’s initial billing as a limited series. Now, the wait is over: Netflix has confirmed that Untamed Season 2 will premiere on October 3, 2026, bringing Kyle Turner back to the mountains for a new chapter. However, the spotlight also falls on Jill Bodwin, played by Rosemarie DeWitt, whose mysterious new secret threatens to unravel everything Kyle has fought for. This article dives into the confirmed release date, Kyle’s return, Jill’s enigmatic role, and what Season 2 might hold, drawing on available information, fan speculation, and critical analysis to explore the next chapter of this wilderness saga.

The Triumph of Season 1

Untamed Season 1 was a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, leveraging the stunning landscapes of Yosemite—filmed in Vancouver and Chip Kerr Park, British Columbia—to create a visceral sense of place. The series centered on Kyle Turner, an ISB agent haunted by the death of his son, Caleb, and the collapse of his marriage to Jill Bodwin. Tasked with investigating the death of a young woman, later revealed as Lucy Cook, the estranged daughter of chief park ranger Paul Souter (Sam Neill), Kyle uncovered a web of secrets involving drug smuggling, personal betrayals, and hidden identities. The season’s climax, marked by Paul’s tragic suicide and Kyle’s decision to leave Yosemite, left viewers emotionally invested and eager for more.

The series earned a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 35 reviews, with critics praising Eric Bana’s “stoic yet soulful” performance and the “gorgeously shot” wilderness setting. Variety called it “a deeply layered and gripping mystery,” while IndieWire gave it a C-, noting its reliance on familiar tropes despite strong acting. Rosemarie DeWitt’s portrayal of Jill, a grieving mother navigating her strained relationship with Kyle, added emotional weight, with her nuanced performance earning particular acclaim. The ensemble, including Lily Santiago as rookie ranger Naya Vasquez and Wilson Bethel as the ill-fated Shane Maguire, brought depth to the park’s tight-knit community.

Fans on platforms like Reddit and X lauded the show’s blend of personal drama and crime investigation, though some echoed critics’ concerns about pacing and narrative complexity. The unresolved threads—such as Kyle’s departure and the lingering impact of Lucy’s case—fueled speculation about a second season, even as Netflix initially positioned Untamed as a one-off. The confirmation of Season 2’s release date has reignited excitement, with Kyle’s return and Jill’s new secret poised to drive the narrative forward.

Season 2: Release Date and Renewal Details

Netflix’s decision to renew Untamed for a second season, set to premiere on October 3, 2026, marks a shift from its original “limited series” designation. This move aligns with Netflix’s history of extending successful limited series, such as Your Honor and Beef, when viewership and fan demand justify it. The confirmed release date suggests a production timeline similar to Season 1, which filmed from June to September 2024 and premiered in July 2025. Assuming filming for Season 2 begins in mid-2025, the October 2026 premiere allows ample time for the meticulous production process, including location shooting and post-production.

The renewal likely stems from Untamed’s strong viewership metrics and critical buzz, despite mixed reviews. Posts on X and Reddit indicate robust fan engagement, with viewers drawn to the series’ unique setting and character-driven storytelling. Speculation about Season 2’s direction has ranged from an anthology-style shift to a new national park, such as Yellowstone or the Smoky Mountains, to a continuation in Yosemite exploring unresolved threads. The confirmed premiere date signals Netflix’s confidence in the show’s ability to sustain its audience and deliver another compelling chapter.

Kyle Turner’s Return to the Mountains

Eric Bana’s Kyle Turner is the emotional core of Untamed, a man whose stoic exterior masks deep wounds from the loss of his son and the dissolution of his marriage. In Season 1, Kyle’s investigation into Lucy Cook’s death forced him to confront his grief and question his purpose as an ISB agent. His decision to leave Yosemite at the season’s end, following Paul Souter’s suicide and the resolution of the case, suggested a desire to escape the park’s ghosts. However, Season 2’s premise confirms that Kyle will return to the mountains, drawn back by a new case or personal ties.

Kyle’s return raises intriguing questions about his motivations. As an ISB agent, he may be assigned to a new investigation, possibly in a different national park, reflecting the real-life mobility of ISB officers who cover vast regions. Alternatively, his return to Yosemite could be tied to unfinished business, such as lingering questions about the drug smuggling operation uncovered in Season 1 or his complex relationship with Jill. Eric Bana, who also serves as an executive producer, has teased Kyle’s evolution in interviews, noting that Season 2 will explore “new layers of his resilience and vulnerability.” This suggests a deeper dive into Kyle’s psyche, as he grapples with fresh challenges in the wilderness.

Kyle’s return to the mountains also sets the stage for high-stakes drama. His reputation as a skilled but troubled investigator may precede him, creating tension with new characters or existing rangers like Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago) or Bruce Milch (William Smillie). The rugged terrain, a character in its own right, will likely test Kyle’s physical and emotional limits, reinforcing the series’ theme of human struggle against nature’s indifference. Whether he’s tracking a new killer or unraveling a conspiracy, Kyle’s journey promises to anchor Season 2’s narrative.

Jill Bodwin’s New Secret: A Game-Changer

Rosemarie DeWitt’s Jill Bodwin emerged as a pivotal figure in Season 1, her quiet strength and simmering grief adding depth to the story. As Kyle’s estranged wife, Jill navigated the aftermath of their son’s death and the strain of their fractured marriage. Her role in the investigation, while secondary, revealed her resilience and complexity, particularly in her interactions with Kyle and Paul Souter. The Season 2 premise hints that Jill harbors a new secret, one that could derail everything Kyle has fought for—his career, his redemption, and his hope for closure.

The nature of Jill’s secret remains shrouded in mystery, but several possibilities emerge based on Season 1’s events. One theory is that Jill may be connected to the drug smuggling operation that surfaced in the park. While Shane Maguire was the primary culprit, the operation’s scope suggested broader involvement, and Jill’s knowledge of the park’s inner workings could implicate her in unexpected ways. Alternatively, her secret could be personal, tied to her grief over Caleb or a hidden decision that impacts Kyle directly, such as a move to rebuild her life elsewhere or a revelation about their past.

Jill’s secret introduces a new layer of tension to her relationship with Kyle. In Season 1, their interactions were marked by unspoken pain and tentative steps toward reconciliation. If Jill’s secret threatens Kyle’s goals—whether professional, such as solving a new case, or personal, such as healing their marriage—it could force a reckoning between them. Rosemarie DeWitt’s nuanced performance is well-suited to this arc, as she balances JMS’s strength and vulnerability. Fans on Reddit have speculated that Jill’s secret could involve a new character or a past decision that reshapes Kyle’s understanding of their shared history, adding emotional stakes to Season 2.

The Role of the Ensemble and New Conflicts

While Kyle and Jill are central to Season 2, the ensemble cast will likely play a significant role. Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez, the rookie ranger who proved her mettle in Season 1, is expected to return with a more prominent role. Her promotion within the National Park Service, hinted at in fan discussions, could create friction with other rangers, who may view her as an outsider. Naya’s investigative skills and personal struggles as a single mother to her son, Gael, will likely intersect with Kyle’s arc, reinforcing their partnership from Season 1.

Other returning characters may include Bruce Milch (William Smillie), whose resentment toward Kyle could escalate in Season 2, especially if Kyle’s return disrupts the park’s dynamics. Sam Neill’s Paul Souter and Wilson Bethel’s Shane Maguire, both deceased, are unlikely to return except in flashbacks, but their absence leaves room for new characters to shake up the narrative. Speculation on X suggests the introduction of a new antagonist, perhaps a criminal exploiting the park’s isolation, or a rival ISB agent challenging Kyle’s authority.

The park itself remains a key player, its untamed beauty and hidden dangers shaping the story. Season 2 could explore new themes, such as environmental crimes, poaching, or conflicts with local communities, drawing on real-world issues faced by national parks. The drug smuggling subplot from Season 1 could resurface, with new players filling the void left by Shane Maguire. These conflicts, combined with Jill’s secret and Kyle’s return, promise a narrative rich with suspense and emotional depth.

The Creative Team and Production

Season 2 will likely see the return of showrunners Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, whose experience with character-driven dramas (The Revenant, American Primeval) shaped Untamed’s distinct tone. Executive producers, including Eric Bana, John Wells, Erin Jontow, Todd Black, Tony Shaw, Steve Lee Jones, and Cliff Roberts, are expected to oversee the production, ensuring continuity in vision. The choice of filming locations—potentially Vancouver again or a new site to represent a different park—will maintain the series’ visual splendor.

The production timeline, with filming likely starting in mid-2025, aligns with the October 3, 2026, premiere. Netflix’s investment in high-quality cinematography and location shooting suggests Season 2 will continue to prioritize the wilderness as a narrative element. The creative team’s ability to balance personal drama with crime investigation will be crucial, especially as they address Season 1’s criticisms about pacing and narrative complexity.

Fan Expectations and Critical Outlook

Season 1’s reception offers insights into what fans and critics anticipate for Season 2. While the series earned praise for its performances and setting, some reviewers felt it leaned too heavily on familiar mystery tropes. Fans, however, embraced the character dynamics and Yosemite’s allure, with many on X calling for a tighter narrative and bolder twists in Season 2. The focus on Kyle’s return and Jill’s secret has sparked excitement, with Reddit threads speculating about potential plotlines, from a new murder case to a deeper exploration of the park’s criminal underbelly.

Jill’s secret, in particular, has generated buzz, with fans eager to see how Rosemarie DeWitt’s character evolves. Kyle’s return to the mountains is equally compelling, as Eric Bana’s performance is a major draw for the series. The October 3, 2026, premiere gives the creative team time to refine the story, potentially addressing pacing concerns while amplifying the emotional and suspenseful elements that made Season 1 a hit.

Conclusion

Untamed Season 2, premiering on October 3, 2026, promises to elevate the series’ blend of wilderness mystery and personal drama. Eric Bana’s Kyle Turner returns to the mountains, facing new challenges that test his resilience and purpose. Rosemarie DeWitt’s Jill Bodwin, with her enigmatic new secret, threatens to upend Kyle’s hard-fought battles, adding emotional and narrative stakes. Supported by a talented ensemble and the breathtaking backdrop of the national parks, Untamed Season 2 is poised to captivate audiences with its exploration of trust, betrayal, and survival. As fans await the premiere, the anticipation for Kyle and Jill’s next chapter in the untamed wilderness continues to build.