The rugged, untamed beauty of America’s national parks is set to captivate audiences once again as Netflix has officially greenlit UNTAMED for a second season, slated for release in late 2026. Following the gripping success of its debut season, which premiered on July 17, 2025, this character-driven mystery-thriller has left fans clamoring for more. With its intoxicating blend of raw emotion, intricate plotting, and the haunting backdrop of nature’s wildest terrains, UNTAMED promises to delve deeper into the shadows of human nature and the secrets hidden within the vast wilderness. Buckle up—this is only the beginning.

A Phenomenal First Season Sets the Stage

The inaugural season of UNTAMED, set against the breathtaking yet perilous landscape of Yosemite National Park, introduced viewers to Kyle Turner, portrayed with raw intensity by Eric Bana. As a special agent for the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB), Turner unraveled the chilling murder of Lucy Cook, a woman with a hidden past entangled in a drug scheme running through Yosemite’s abandoned mining tunnels. The series masterfully wove together a taut murder mystery with Turner’s personal struggles—grieving the loss of his son, navigating a fractured marriage, and battling his own demons. Co-starring Sam Neill as the seasoned chief ranger Paul Souter, Rosemarie DeWitt as Turner’s ex-wife Jill Bodwin, and Lily Santiago as the sharp rookie ranger Naya Vasquez, the ensemble cast delivered performances that anchored the show’s emotional core.

The season’s finale delivered a gut-punch revelation: Paul Souter, Turner’s mentor, was not only Lucy’s biological father but also her accidental killer, a truth that culminated in his tragic suicide. As Turner drove away from Yosemite, grappling with closure over his son’s death, the open-ended conclusion left audiences hungry for more. The show’s ability to balance procedural intensity with deep emotional resonance, set against the stunning yet unforgiving wilderness, earned it a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and widespread praise for its atmospheric storytelling.

Season 2: A New Park, A New Mystery

With the confirmation of Season 2, UNTAMED is poised to take viewers on a fresh journey into the heart of America’s national parks. While the first season was firmly rooted in Yosemite’s towering cliffs and shadowy forests, Season 2 is expected to transport Kyle Turner and his team to a new location—potentially the misty peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains, the icy expanses of Glacier National Park, or the rugged deserts of Utah. The ISB’s real-life practice of rotating agents across parks provides a natural framework for a new case, ensuring that the series remains dynamic and unpredictable.

Showrunners Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith have teased that Season 2 will dive into a fresh mystery, one that promises to be “more intricate, more personal, and more shocking” than the first. “We’re thrilled to continue Kyle’s journey,” Elle Smith shared in an exclusive statement. “The wilderness is a character in itself, and each park has its own secrets waiting to be uncovered. Season 2 will push our characters to their limits, unraveling betrayals and truths that will leave audiences stunned.” The promise of “unforeseen twists” suggests a narrative that will keep viewers on edge, with new suspects, hidden motives, and a deeper exploration of Turner’s evolving psyche.

What to Expect: Plot and Themes

While details about the central case remain under wraps, the show’s structure lends itself to a new investigation that could involve anything from a missing hiker to a wildlife trafficking ring or a conspiracy tied to the park’s history. The first season expertly blended the beauty of nature with the brutality of human actions, and Season 2 is expected to amplify this contrast. Fans can anticipate a story that explores how the wilderness amplifies human flaws—greed, guilt, and desperation—while offering a path toward redemption.

Kyle Turner’s emotional arc will likely remain at the heart of the series. Having confronted the ghosts of his past in Season 1, Turner may now face new challenges in his quest for healing. Will he find peace, or will the demands of his job drag him deeper into turmoil? His partnership with Naya Vasquez, whose sharp instincts and personal struggles added depth to the first season, is expected to evolve, with Vasquez potentially taking on a more prominent role as a detective. Lily Santiago has expressed enthusiasm for returning, hinting at a desire to see Naya grow in confidence and tackle cases in new environments. “I’d love to see her on a mountain in Hawaii,” Santiago joked, though she emphasized the thrill of exploring new terrains and challenges.

The thematic core of UNTAMED—the collision of human tragedy with nature’s indifference—will likely deepen in Season 2. The series has already proven its ability to use the wilderness as a metaphor for the untamed aspects of the human soul, and the new season could explore themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the cost of uncovering buried truths. With the showrunners’ track record of crafting layered narratives, as seen in works like The Revenant and American Primeval, fans can expect a story that is both visually sumptuous and emotionally raw.

The Cast: Who’s Returning?

While the full cast list for Season 2 is yet to be confirmed, the core ensemble is expected to return, with some exceptions due to Season 1’s dramatic conclusions. Eric Bana is all but certain to reprise his role as Kyle Turner, whose stoic yet tortured performance has been hailed as the show’s beating heart. “Kyle’s journey is far from over,” Bana hinted in a recent interview. “The nature of his job means there’s always another case, another park, another challenge. I’d love to see where he goes next.”

Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez is also likely to return, bringing her blend of determination and vulnerability to the new season. Her character’s growth from a rookie to a capable investigator offers rich potential for further development. Rosemarie DeWitt’s Jill Bodwin, Turner’s ex-wife, could play a larger role, especially as their shared history continues to shape Turner’s emotional landscape. However, Sam Neill’s Paul Souter and Wilson Bethel’s Shane Maguire are unlikely to return in the present timeline due to their characters’ fates, though flashbacks or creative narrative devices could bring them back.

New characters are expected to join the fray, introducing fresh dynamics and conflicts. The showrunners have hinted at casting “exciting new faces” to populate the new park setting, potentially including local rangers, suspects, or community members tied to the central mystery. Given the show’s track record of attracting top talent, fans can expect compelling performances that elevate the stakes.

Behind the Scenes: A Visionary Team

The creative team behind UNTAMED remains a driving force in its success. Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, who co-created the series, will continue as showrunners, with John Wells (Shameless, Maid) serving as executive producer. The production team, including Escape Artists Entertainment and Bee Holder Productions, is committed to maintaining the show’s high production values, with stunning cinematography that captures the raw beauty of America’s national parks. The first season’s filming, which took place from June to September 2024, set a high bar for visual storytelling, and Season 2 is expected to push this even further with a new, equally captivating location.

The Smiths’ ability to craft narratives that blend visceral action with deep emotional resonance has been a hallmark of the series. “We want every episode to feel like a journey,” Mark L. Smith told Tudum. “The parks are more than just settings—they’re characters that shape the story and the people in it.” This approach promises to keep viewers immersed in a world where danger lurks behind every vista.

Fan and Critical Reception: Fueling the Hype

The announcement of Season 2 comes on the heels of strong fan support and solid critical acclaim for Season 1. With a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and praise for its “sumptuous” visuals and Bana’s “exceptional” performance, UNTAMED has carved out a niche in the crowded field of investigative dramas. Critics have lauded its ability to balance a compelling mystery with character-driven storytelling, though some noted pacing issues in early episodes. Fans, meanwhile, have taken to platforms like Reddit to speculate about potential Season 2 storylines, from environmental crimes to new personal challenges for Turner.

The show’s success is also reflected in its viewership, with UNTAMED climbing to Netflix’s #1 spot shortly after its premiere. This popularity, combined with the showrunners’ and cast’s enthusiasm, has likely played a key role in Netflix’s decision to move forward with a second season, despite its initial billing as a limited series. The precedent set by other Netflix hits like The Watcher and Monster, which extended beyond their “limited” designations, suggests that strong performance can open doors for more.

Challenges and Expectations

While the confirmation of Season 2 is cause for celebration, the show faces the challenge of living up to its debut season’s intensity. Some fans and critics felt the first season’s finale, while emotionally resonant, tied up its central mystery too neatly, leaving little room for unresolved threads. Season 2 will need to strike a balance between introducing a fresh case and maintaining the emotional depth that made the first season so compelling. Additionally, the shift to a new park setting must avoid feeling repetitive, leveraging the unique characteristics of the new location to enhance the narrative.

The production timeline, with filming expected to begin in mid-2026 to meet the late 2026 release, suggests a similar schedule to Season 1’s June-to-September shoot. This gives the team ample time to craft a story that matches or exceeds the first season’s ambition. Fans are already buzzing with speculation about potential settings and cases, with some hoping for a colder, more isolated environment to contrast Yosemite’s lush vistas.

A Journey Worth Taking

As UNTAMED prepares to return, it carries the promise of another thrilling chapter in Kyle Turner’s saga. With its blend of heart-pounding mystery, complex characters, and the awe-inspiring yet treacherous beauty of America’s national parks, Season 2 is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience. The confirmation of a late 2026 release gives fans plenty to look forward to, as they brace for a new odyssey filled with secrets, betrayals, and twists that will keep them guessing until the very end.

For those who haven’t yet ventured into the wilds of UNTAMED, all six episodes of Season 1 are available to stream on Netflix, offering a perfect opportunity to catch up before the next chapter unfolds. As the tagline promises, “Everything is just beginning”—and in the untamed wilderness, anything is possible.