The rugged beauty and relentless suspense of Untamed captivated audiences when it premiered on Netflix in July 2025, transforming the crime drama genre with its breathtaking Yosemite National Park setting and emotionally charged storytelling. Now, just months after its debut season became a global sensation, the announcement that Untamed Season 2 has officially begun filming has sent fans into a frenzy. The big question on everyone’s mind: which national park will National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent Kyle Turner, played by Eric Bana, tackle next? With showrunners Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith promising a fresh mystery in an unfamiliar landscape, the anticipation is palpable. As cameras roll in late 2025, Untamed Season 2 is poised to deliver another thrilling chapter, pushing Turner into uncharted territory both physically and emotionally.

A Breakout Hit in Yosemite

Untamed’s first season introduced viewers to Kyle Turner, a grizzled ISB agent haunted by the loss of his young son, Caleb, as he investigated the mysterious death of a young woman who fell from Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan. Set against the stunning vistas of Yosemite National Park, the six-episode miniseries blended heart-pounding suspense with deep character exploration. Turner, alongside rookie ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), unraveled a complex web of secrets involving drifters, an underground drug ring, and a personal connection to his past. The show’s atmospheric cinematography, intense performances, and unique setting—where nature itself seemed to conspire against the investigators—earned it critical acclaim and a massive following, with 24.6 million views in its first week and a steady hold at the top of Netflix’s charts.

The decision to renew Untamed for a second season, announced on July 29, 2025, came as no surprise to fans, though it was a departure from the show’s initial billing as a limited series. Eric Bana, who also serves as an executive producer, expressed his excitement in a statement: “I’m thrilled to bring another season of Untamed to life. The response to Season 1 was a testament to our crew’s incredible work. I can’t wait to take Kyle on his next journey.” The showrunners, Mark and Elle Smith, have teased that Season 2 will take Turner far from the familiar terrain of Yosemite, placing him in a new national park where he’ll be “on his back foot,” forced to navigate unfamiliar dangers and people. As filming begins, speculation about the new setting and storyline is reaching fever pitch.

A New Park, A New Mystery

The defining feature of Untamed is its use of national parks as more than just a backdrop—they are characters in their own right, shaping the narrative and challenging the protagonists. Season 1’s Yosemite, with its towering granite cliffs and dense forests, was both majestic and menacing, amplifying the stakes of Turner’s investigation. For Season 2, the Smiths have promised a park that is “distinct from Yosemite,” with a unique cultural and geographical identity. “Each national park has its own personality,” Elle Smith said in an interview. “We want the park to play a role in Turner’s emotional journey, just as much as the case he’s solving.” While the official setting remains under wraps, fans and insiders have speculated about several possibilities, each offering a fresh canvas for Untamed’s signature blend of noir suspense and wilderness drama.

One leading contender is Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, a dramatic shift from Yosemite’s granite peaks to volcanic craters and lush rainforests. The park’s otherworldly terrain, with its active volcanoes and cultural significance to Native Hawaiians, would provide a striking contrast to Season 1’s setting. A tropical environment could challenge Turner with its unfamiliar climate and spiritual undertones, forcing him to adapt to a landscape where the earth itself is alive and unpredictable. Lily Santiago, who played Naya Vasquez, jokingly suggested this location, saying, “Bring me to a mountain in Hawaii!” While it’s unclear if Vasquez will return, her comment has fueled speculation about a Pacific setting.

Another possibility is a desert park like Joshua Tree or Death Valley in California, or Arches National Park in Utah. These arid landscapes, with their stark beauty and extreme conditions, would mirror Turner’s emotional isolation and test his resilience. The open expanse of a desert could introduce new dangers—scorching heat, scarce resources, and vast distances—while providing a visual metaphor for the moral ambiguity of his cases. Alternatively, the Everglades National Park in Florida, with its swampy, tropical terrain and rich biodiversity, could offer a humid, claustrophobic setting that contrasts with Yosemite’s open vistas. Each of these parks would push Turner out of his comfort zone, aligning with the showrunners’ goal to make him “uncomfortable” and “unsure.”

Kyle Turner’s Next Chapter

Eric Bana’s portrayal of Kyle Turner was the heart of Season 1, earning praise for its raw intensity and vulnerability. Turner, still grieving the loss of his son and navigating a strained relationship with his ex-wife Jill Bodwin (Rosemarie DeWitt), was a complex figure—a decorated agent whose personal trauma fueled his relentless pursuit of justice. By the end of Season 1, Turner had solved the El Capitan case, uncovering shocking truths about his mentor, Paul Souter (Sam Neill), and his own past. The resolution came at a cost: he was fired from his job, prompting him to leave Yosemite and embark on a new chapter. Season 2 picks up after Turner has worked cases in multiple national parks, landing in a new one that will be “more impactful” than any before, according to Mark Smith.

The new season will see Turner grappling with a fresh mystery, one that promises to be as personal as it is perilous. The showrunners have hinted at a case that challenges Turner’s understanding of the park and its inhabitants, forcing him to rely on new allies. Unlike Yosemite, where he was in his element, this unfamiliar terrain will test his instincts and push him to adapt. “We want to see Turner stumble a bit, learn as he goes,” Mark Smith said. “It’s about stripping away his confidence and seeing what he’s made of.” This vulnerability is likely to resonate with fans, who connected with Turner’s emotional depth in Season 1.

While Bana is confirmed to return, the status of other Season 1 cast members remains uncertain. The deaths of Paul Souter and Shane Maguire (Wilson Bethel) in the first season make their return unlikely, except perhaps in flashbacks or hallucinations, a technique used effectively with Turner’s son Caleb. Naya Vasquez’s return is also in question, as her arc in Season 1 saw her settling into Yosemite. However, the showrunners have expressed their love for the cast, hinting that characters like Jill Bodwin or new faces familiar with the park could join Turner. The introduction of a local guide, similar to Vasquez’s role in Season 1, could provide a fresh dynamic, with Turner taking a backseat to learn the ropes.

Filming in a New Wilderness

Filming for Untamed Season 2 began in October 2025, with production once again taking place primarily in British Columbia, Canada, despite the show’s American national park settings. Season 1 was filmed in locations like Mount Seymour, Chip Kerr Park, and Murdo Frazer Park, which stood in for Yosemite’s rugged terrain. The choice of British Columbia, with its diverse landscapes and film-friendly infrastructure, allows the production to capture the essence of various national parks without the logistical challenges of filming in protected U.S. sites. Fans are eager to see how the crew transforms Canada’s wilderness into a new park, whether it’s the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii, the deserts of the Southwest, or the swamps of the Everglades.

The production team, led by Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions, is pulling out all the stops to maintain the cinematic quality that defined Season 1. Aerial shots, a hallmark of the series, will showcase the new park’s grandeur, while close-up scenes will capture the raw emotion of Turner’s journey. Bana, who described filming in the wilderness as both challenging and exhilarating, has hinted at even more intense outdoor sequences this season. “We’re pushing the boundaries of what we can do in these environments,” he said. “It’s about letting the park tell its own story.”

Fan Frenzy and Expectations

The announcement of Season 2’s filming has ignited a wave of excitement on social media, with fans speculating about the new park and storyline. “Untamed is back! Where’s Kyle going next? I need to know!” one fan posted, echoing the sentiment of thousands eager for updates. The show’s ability to blend a gripping murder mystery with the untamed beauty of its setting has struck a chord, drawing comparisons to True Detective and The Revenant. Its 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and glowing reviews praising Bana’s “steady star power” and the “visually sumptuous” backdrop have set high expectations for the sophomore season.

Fans are particularly invested in Turner’s emotional arc. His grief and determination in Season 1 resonated deeply, and the promise of seeing him in a new, disorienting environment has sparked intrigue. Will he find redemption, or will the new park’s challenges push him further into darkness? The possibility of revisiting unresolved threads, like his relationship with Jill or his son’s memory, adds another layer of anticipation. The showrunners’ commitment to making each park a character ensures that Season 2 will deliver a fresh yet familiar experience, with the wilderness once again shaping the narrative.

A Thrilling Road Ahead

As Untamed Season 2 takes shape, the series is poised to build on its first season’s success while forging a bold new path. With filming underway and a release expected in late 2026 or early 2027, fans are counting down the days to see Kyle Turner navigate another treacherous landscape. Whether it’s the volcanic peaks of Hawaii, the desolate beauty of a desert, or the murky depths of a swamp, the new national park promises to test Turner in ways he’s never faced before. With Eric Bana at the helm and a creative team dedicated to pushing boundaries, Untamed Season 2 is set to deliver another unforgettable journey into the heart of mystery and the wild.

For now, the question of which national park Turner will conquer next remains unanswered, but one thing is certain: Untamed will continue to captivate with its blend of suspense, emotion, and the untamed power of nature. So, prepare to venture into the unknown, because Kyle Turner’s next adventure is just beginning.