The rugged, untamed beauty of Netflix’s Untamed captivated audiences with its heart-pounding murder mystery set against the breathtaking backdrop of Yosemite National Park. Now, with the producers confirming a second season, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what lies ahead in this gripping crime drama.
The first season’s blend of raw emotion, shadowy secrets, and stunning landscapes left viewers craving more, and Season 2 promises to plunge even deeper into the wilderness—both literal and emotional. Here’s everything we know so far about the cast, plot, filming locations, and release timeline for Untamed Season 2, a series poised to redefine the thriller genre.
At the heart of Untamed is Kyle Turner, portrayed by the magnetic Eric Bana, a National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent haunted by the loss of his young son six years prior. Bana’s raw, layered performance as a man torn between duty and personal grief anchored the first season, and his return for Season 2 is a given. Joining him is the legendary Sam Neill as Paul Souter, Yosemite’s chief park ranger and Turner’s steadfast mentor, whose nuanced wisdom and quiet strength promise to play a pivotal role in the unfolding drama.
Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez, the rookie ranger with a sharp mind and a past rooted in the urban chaos of Los Angeles, is set to return with an even larger arc, building on her dynamic chemistry with Turner. Rosemarie DeWitt reprises her role as Jill Bodwin, Turner’s ex-wife, whose lingering emotional connection to him adds a poignant layer to the story. However, fans are still reeling from the death of Shane Maguire, played by Wilson Bethel, in Season 1. While his return seems unlikely, whispers on fan forums suggest creative possibilities like flashbacks to keep his presence alive.
The plot of Season 2 is shrouded in mystery, but early hints suggest it will break new ground while retaining the series’ signature blend of character-driven drama and suspense. Season 1 followed Turner and Vasquez as they unraveled the murder of Lucy Cook, a woman entangled in a clandestine drug operation hidden within Yosemite’s ancient tunnels. The investigation exposed dark secrets not only within the park but also in Turner’s own fractured past.
For Season 2, the narrative could shift to a new national park—perhaps the misty peaks of the Smoky Mountains or the icy expanses of Glacier National Park—offering a fresh canvas for Turner’s relentless pursuit of justice. The real-life ISB often reassigns agents across parks, so a new setting would align with the show’s grounded realism. Expect a new case to take center stage, possibly involving a missing camper, a wildlife trafficking ring, or a conspiracy tied to local communities. Turner’s emotional journey will remain a driving force, exploring his path toward healing while Vasquez grows into a formidable ranger in her own right. Unresolved threads from Lucy’s case may also resurface, weaving a complex tapestry of old and new mysteries.
Filming for Season 2 is expected to follow a similar timeline to the first, which was shot from June to September 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, with locations like Chip Kerr Park standing in for Yosemite’s rugged terrain. While the series is set in iconic American parks, the lush forests and dramatic landscapes of British Columbia provide a cinematic substitute.
The production team’s commitment to capturing nature’s majesty as a character in its own right will likely continue, with strict safety protocols—like the “bear guy” on set—ensuring the cast and crew navigate the wilderness unscathed. The choice of filming locations will amplify the series’ visual splendor, immersing viewers in a world where beauty and danger coexist.
As for the release date, speculation points to a premiere in July or August 2026, based on the first season’s production cycle. Filming for Season 2 has not yet been confirmed to have started, but if Netflix greenlights production soon, a similar timeline is feasible. The six-episode format is expected to return, delivering a tight, binge-worthy experience that balances intense investigations with deep character development.
Untamed Season 2 is poised to elevate the stakes, plunging viewers into a new wilderness rife with secrets, betrayals, and breathtaking vistas. Will Turner confront his demons while unraveling another deadly mystery? Can Vasquez rise to the challenges of a new case? And what new dangers lurk in the untamed corners of America’s national parks? As the countdown to 2026 begins, one thing is certain: Untamed will return with a vengeance, ready to grip audiences with its raw emotion and unrelenting suspense.
