Netflix’s Taylor Sheridan crime thriller, Untamed, which debuted in July to overwhelming acclaim, is set for a major shift as its second season prepares to relocate the story from Yosemite National Park to Hawaii. This change, featuring Eric Bana reprising his role as Kyle Turner, promises fresh challenges and a new environment for the investigative thriller when filming begins in February 2026.
A Breakout Success for Netflix and a New Chapter Ahead
Untamed stars Eric Bana as Kyle Turner, a special agent of the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch tasked with enforcing the law in remote wilderness areas. The show centers on Turner’s investigation into a brutal death within nature’s untamed expanses, uncovering dark secrets both in the park and within himself. Originally designed as a limited series, its unexpected popularity and critical praise have transformed Untamed into an evolving franchise with Bana’s character as its linchpin.
Insider reports reveal that Season 2 will depart from the familiar Yosemite setting, placing Turner in the tropical surroundings of Hawaii. This new locale introduces a vastly different ecosystem, which is expected to test Turner in new ways. Availability details indicate filming will commence on February 17, 2026, continuing for approximately four months until June 1.
Mark L. Smith Teases New Challenges for Kyle Turner
Mark L. Smith, the co-creator of Untamed, hinted at the transformation awaiting Turner in the upcoming season. He described how the second season picks up well after the first, placing Turner in unfamiliar territory where he must rebuild his footing.
“This won’t be the first park he’s been in since Yosemite. 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. Turner was so comfortable in Yosemite. He was the one leading this charge, and people followed him. And now, [we’re] putting Kyle on his back foot, making him very uncomfortable … This time we get to follow Turner into a park and let him lead us, and we stumble along with him as he’s kind of finding his way.” — Mark L. Smith, Co-creator of Untamed
This suggests that while Turner is no stranger to different terrain or investigations, Hawaii presents a novel set of obstacles that will deeply affect his journey. The idea of “stumbling along” with Turner offers viewers a more vulnerable and complex portrayal than the assured leader seen in the first season.
Returning Cast and Potential New Faces for Season Two
Eric Bana is confirmed to return as Kyle Turner for the sequel season, but the continuation of the original supporting cast remains uncertain. Among those hopeful for a return is Lily Santiago, who portrayed Naya Vasquez, a rookie National Park Service ranger in Season 1. Santiago expressed enthusiasm about revisiting the series with a fresh setting and storyline.
“Honestly, I would love for her to get called up to go to a different place,”
she shared.
“Bring me to a mountain in Hawaii. I’m hoping that it’s new murder, new location, wilderness challenges, and new things to learn.” — Lily Santiago, Actress (Naya Vasquez)
Her comments reveal a desire not only for new scenery but also for evolving character dynamics and investigative complexities, which would enrich the unfolding narrative in the tropical context of Hawaii’s mountains and wilds.
From Yosemite’s Wilderness to the Hawaiian Tropics
The transition from the rugged, forested Yosemite National Park to Hawaii’s lush palm-fringed landscapes marks a significant tonal and thematic pivot for Untamed. The shift promises to redefine the crime thriller’s atmosphere, presenting a stark contrast between the cool, mountainous backdrop and the vibrant, tropical environment. Hawaii’s unique terrain and ecosystem can offer new murder mysteries that exploit both cultural and environmental elements unfamiliar to the protagonist.
This geographic shift aligns with the broader ambitions of the Taylor Sheridan crime thriller to explore diverse American wilderness areas through a procedural lens, blending natural beauty with dark human secrets. Moving forward, the show will likely deepen Kyle Turner’s character development as he adapts to this fresh setting and confronts unfamiliar adversities, potentially expanding Untamed’s storytelling scope beyond its initial neo-Western roots.
Production Timeline and Future Expectations
Filming for Untamed’s second season is slated to start in mid-February 2026 and continue through late May or early June, according to Production Weekly. Although the exact Hawaiian location remains undisclosed, fans can anticipate future announcements detailing specific filming sites and possibly additional cast members. With this timeline, viewers might expect a premiere in late 2026 or early 2027, continuing the momentum that established Untamed as a notable entry in Netflix’s crime thriller lineup.
Overall, Untamed’s evolution reflects the strong audience appetite for intense, dramatic storytelling rooted in distinctive natural environments, making the move to Hawaii a compelling development that may redefine the series’ tone while maintaining its core investigative drama.
