It’s rare that a drama stops us in our tracks and has us recommending it to almost everyone we can think of. But Untamed really is Netflix at its finest - the thriller starring Eric Bana is filled with twists, mystery and jaw-dropping scenery to boot. And, lucky for us, the streamer has just announced a follow-up series, with a few "modifications", including a brand-new landscape that will be be a big part of the plot in itself. Intriguing indeed!
What happened in Untamed series 1? Well, the drama followed special agent Kyle Turner (played by Eric Bana), who was tasked with enforcing the law in the beautiful Yosemite wilderness - and was faced with a brutal murder that had unsettling connections to both his place of work and his own past. In the second instalment, we'll meet the brooding agent again, only this time he’s been posted to a completely new location - and let’s just say he’s not quite as comfortable in his new role…
As we wait for Untamed series 2 to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the plot, cast and how to tune in.
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What is Untamed about?
Series 1, which was released in July this year, followed brooding, quietly powerful parks inspector Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), a special agent in an elite branch of the National Parks Service. In the first instalment, he found himself getting to the bottom of a brutal murder in the vast Yosemite wilderness that, oddly enough, had some connections to his own past. Meanwhile, Kyle got new colleague, Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), who joined him from Los Angeles - and it proved to be quite the change of pace for her. Her big-city skills, though, eventually did come in handy.
If you’re yet to catch up, here’s a spoiler-free rundown of how series 1 ended: Kyle solved one of the most devastating cases of his career - and with it, he left Yosemite National Park, along with years of emotional baggage. The question was, where would he go next, and what type of case would be waiting for him when he gets there? It looks like we're about to find out.
What will happen in Untamed series 2?
Netflix has confirmed that Eric Bana will reprise his role as Kyle Turner, and there will be a whole new mystery to solve. “I am absolutely thrilled that we get the chance to bring another season of Untamed to life,” Eric Bana said. “The response to season 1 has been a testament to the incredible effort by our crew to deliver something truly unique. I can’t wait to take Kyle on his next journey.”
Co-creators Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith have revealed that Kyle Turner will relocate to a new national park (although they’re remaining tight-lipped on which it’ll be). It’ll be one that he feels less comfortable in, they say, putting him on his back foot. “This won’t be the first park he’s been in since Yosemite,” says Mark. “He’s been to a lot of parks. He’s been busy, taking on a lot of cases. This will be the latest and it'll be more impactful for him.”
Elle added: “We’ve done Yosemite. What’s the next park that could feel different from that? Each national park has such a different cultural identity, geographical identity. Being able to explore those places through the case and through Turner’s journey is what's so fascinating.” She continued: “Our theme has been that this park is our main character, this park is sort of alive. We do want to maintain that thread. Whichever park we choose will be a character and it will kind of play a role in Turner’s emotional frame of mind.”
Who’s in the cast of Untamed series 2?
Netflix has confirmed that Eric Bana will be returning for series 2 as Kyle Turner. As it stands, the streamer hasn't confirmed any further cast members, but we're hoping the follow series 1 cast members will return.
- Sam Neill as Paul Souter
- Rosemarie DeWitt as Jill Bodwin
- Lily Santiago as Naya Vasquez
- Wilson Bethel as Shane Maguire
Asked whether Turner’s colleagues from Yosemite would return for series 2, co-creator Mark teased: “Maybe. We’re trying to figure that stuff out because my God, we loved our cast and we loved the characters that they brought to life. In an ideal world, we would be able to pull something off.” Fingers crossed!
Is Untamed any good?
Yes - Untamed’s first series had us hooked with its addictive, character-driven mystery. The thriller is packed with dramatic twists and turns that are as compelling as the beautiful vistas it showcases too. When it was released, it shot into Netflix’s Top 10 English TV slot - which is always a good sign!
How can I watch Untamed series 2?
Netflix hasn’t announced the release date for Untamed series 2 just yet, but we’ll update you here as soon as we have more details. While you wait, you can catch up on the first, six-part series on Netflix. You can also check out our pick of the best new shows to watch this September here.
