Netflix has mastered the art of crafting unforgettable mystery thrillers, from global hits to domestic gems, and its latest offering, Untamed, is poised to join the ranks of the streaming giant’s finest. Starring Eric Bana, Sam Neill, and Lily Santiago, this character-driven limited series promises to take viewers deep into the wild heart of Yosemite National Park, where stunning vistas mask deadly dangers and buried secrets. With all six hour-long episodes dropping on July 17, 2025, Untamed is set to be a binge-worthy journey into murder, mystery, and the untamed forces of nature and human nature alike. 🌲🧨 Let’s unpack what makes this series a must-watch!

🏞️ Yosemite Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

Set against the iconic backdrop of Yosemite National Park, visited by over four million people annually, Untamed subverts the postcard-perfect image of serene landscapes and towering cliffs. Co-showrunner Mark L. Smith, known for The Revenant and American Primeval, aims to peel back the park’s beauty to reveal its perilous underbelly. “Everyone thinks of Yosemite as this beautiful place with all the vistas and all the scenery, but we were trying to touch on the dangers that are just beyond that,” Smith told Tudum. By stripping away modern investigative tools, the series forces its characters to rely on instinct and resilience, creating a raw, primal thriller that feels both timeless and urgent.

The story centers on a brutal murder that rocks the park, drawing National Parks Service special agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana) into a complex investigation. As Turner digs deeper, he uncovers not only the park’s hidden threats but also dark secrets from his own past that threaten to unravel him. The wilderness becomes a character in its own right—unforgiving, unpredictable, and full of surprises. Fans of shows like Yellowstone or Ozark, with their blend of sprawling settings and intense drama, will find Untamed’s atmosphere irresistibly immersive. 🌄

🕵️‍♂️ The Characters Driving the Mystery

Untamed is billed as a character-driven thriller, and its powerhouse cast brings emotional depth to the suspense. Here’s a closer look at the key players:

Kyle Turner (Eric Bana): A Haunted Investigator 🪓

Eric Bana leads as Kyle Turner, a seasoned special agent in the National Parks Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB). Turner is a man shaped by the wilderness, tasked with enforcing human law in nature’s lawless expanse. But as he investigates the murder, his own troubled past begins to surface, making the case deeply personal. Bana, also an executive producer, brings a gritty intensity to the role, reminiscent of his work in Dirty John and The Dry. Will Turner’s demons help him catch the killer, or lead him to his downfall? 😰

Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago): The Rookie with Big-City Grit 🚨

Lily Santiago shines as Naya Vasquez, a former Los Angeles cop and the newest member of Yosemite’s ranger squad. A single mother seeking a fresh start with her 4-year-old son, Gael, Vasquez is an outsider in the wild, learning to navigate the park’s dangers. Co-showrunner Elle Smith, of The Marsh King’s Daughter fame, notes that Vasquez serves as the audience’s eyes: “Because Vasquez is new to the park, we get to see the park through her eyes. We get to understand what this job is, and see the beauty of the park, but also the dangers.” Her big-city homicide skills and fierce determination make her a vital partner to Turner, but her inexperience in the wilderness adds tension to their mission. 🌃

Paul Souter (Sam Neill): The Seasoned Ranger with Secrets? 🧑‍🦳

Sam Neill plays Paul Souter, Yosemite’s chief park ranger and Turner’s longtime friend. A dedicated family man and veteran of the park, Souter is comfortable handling everything from crime to bureaucracy. Neill, known for Jurassic Park and Apples Never Fall, brings a calm authority to the role, but the series hints that Souter may be hiding more than he lets on. Could this trusted ally have his own agenda? 🕶️

Supporting Players Adding Depth

The ensemble is rounded out by Rosemarie DeWitt as Jill Bodwin, Turner’s ex-wife and a former park counselor with whom he shares a complex bond, and Wilson Bethel as Shane Maguire, a solitary ex-Army Ranger turned wildlife management officer who lives by his own rules. These characters weave a web of relationships and motives, ensuring that every twist feels personal and every secret carries weight. 🤝

🔍 Plot and Themes: A Collision of Nature and Human Flaws

Untamed kicks off with a woman’s death in Yosemite, thrusting Turner and Vasquez into a high-stakes investigation. As they track the killer, the series explores the tension between human law and the untamed wilderness, where nature “obeys no rules but its own.” The murder mystery serves as a catalyst, pulling the characters into a deeper exploration of memory, guilt, and truth. Mark L. Smith’s vision emphasizes character over gimmicks: “I love stripping all the cheats away, stripping all the more modern tools that people can use. It really gets down to the character and what they can find within themselves.”

The series draws parallels to True Detective and Yellowstone, blending psychological suspense with a rugged, natural setting. Themes of isolation, redemption, and the cost of buried secrets run through the narrative, making Untamed as much about the characters’ inner battles as the external hunt for a killer. The park’s vastness mirrors the complexity of the human psyche, creating a story that’s both visceral and introspective. 🌌

🎥 Production and Creative Vision

Created by father-daughter duo Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, Untamed combines Mark’s knack for unforgiving natural settings (The Revenant, American Primeval) with Elle’s focus on emotional storytelling (The Marsh King’s Daughter). The six-episode series, produced by Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions, was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, with locations like Chip Kerr Park standing in for Yosemite’s rugged terrain. Executive producers include Bana, John Wells, and Todd Black, ensuring a high-caliber production.

The Smiths’ collaboration brings a unique perspective, balancing gritty suspense with human vulnerability. Elle Smith highlights Vasquez’s role as a lens for viewers, while Mark emphasizes the primal challenge of solving a crime without modern crutches. The result is a thriller that feels both cinematic and intimate, with Yosemite’s beauty and danger captured in stunning visuals. 🎬

📺 Why Untamed Is a Must-Watch

With its all-star cast, evocative setting, and tightly wound mystery, Untamed is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s standout releases of 2025. Posts on X reflect growing excitement, with fans praising the pairing of Bana and Neill and the series’ haunting premise. The show’s blend of wilderness drama and personal stakes appeals to fans of Ozark and Yellowstone, while its limited six-episode run promises a concise, impactful story. Whether you’re drawn to the psychological depth, the thrilling investigation, or the sheer spectacle of Yosemite’s wilds, Untamed offers something for every mystery lover.

🔮 What to Expect on July 17

When Untamed premieres on July 17, 2025, expect a rollercoaster of suspense, emotion, and jaw-dropping reveals. Will Turner and Vasquez catch the killer before the park’s secrets consume them? Can they confront their own pasts without breaking? And what role will Souter’s loyalty—or lack thereof—play in the unfolding drama? With its rich characters, stunning setting, and masterful storytelling, Untamed is poised to keep you glued to your screen.

Mark your calendars for July 17 and prepare to dive into the wild, treacherous world of Untamed.