UNTAMED: Season 2 Release Date Confirmed — But Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez May Be Walking into More Danger Than Ever in an Unfamiliar Wilderness

Netflix’s Untamed has solidified its place as a must-watch thriller, blending the raw beauty of America’s national parks with the gritty intensity of a character-driven crime drama. Following the success of its debut season, which garnered 24.6 million views shortly after its July 17, 2025 premiere, Netflix has confirmed that Untamed Season 2 will arrive in Summer 2026. While Eric Bana’s Kyle Turner remains the heart of the series, fans are buzzing about the potential return of Lily Santiago as Naya Vasquez, the rookie ranger who proved her mettle in Yosemite. This time, Naya may face greater dangers than ever as she steps into an unfamiliar wilderness, navigating a fresh mystery alongside Turner in a brand-new national park.

Season 1: Naya Vasquez’s Rise in Yosemite

In Untamed’s first season, Naya Vasquez emerged as a standout character, bringing youthful determination and emotional depth to the rugged landscape of Yosemite National Park. Played by Lily Santiago, Naya was a rookie ranger thrust into a high-stakes investigation led by Kyle Turner, a seasoned National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent portrayed by Eric Bana. The six-episode arc followed Turner and Naya as they unraveled the mystery of Lucy Cook’s death, a case that exposed dark secrets tied to the park and Turner’s personal tragedy—the murder of his son, Caleb.

Naya’s journey in Season 1 was one of growth and resilience. Initially out of her depth, she earned Turner’s respect through her courage and quick thinking, particularly in tense moments like confronting suspicious climbers and navigating the park’s treacherous terrain. By the finale, Turner entrusted Naya with his horse and his son’s toy cars, a symbolic gesture signaling her readiness to take on greater responsibilities. Santiago’s performance, praised for its authenticity and vulnerability, made Naya a fan favorite, with viewers rooting for her to return in Season 2.

Season 2: A New Park, New Perils

The announcement of Untamed Season 2, confirmed on July 29, 2025, has sparked excitement about the series’ next chapter. While Season 1 was set in the iconic Yosemite, the upcoming season will take Kyle Turner—and potentially Naya Vasquez—to a new national park with a distinct landscape and cultural identity. Co-creators Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith have teased that the new setting will be “as distinct from Yosemite as possible,” promising a fresh backdrop that will shape the narrative and challenge the characters in unexpected ways. Though the specific park remains undisclosed, possibilities like the Everglades, Yellowstone, or Denali suggest a wilderness that could push Naya into uncharted territory.

The new season will introduce a brand-new mystery tailored to the chosen park, ensuring that the case feels organic to its environment. “We can make the case organic to a different kind of park, a different kind of landscape, [and] not have someone just fall off another mountain,” Mark Smith told Netflix’s Tudum. This shift hints at dangers beyond the physical challenges of Yosemite’s cliffs, potentially involving environmental threats, wildlife, or human conflicts unique to the new setting. For Naya, who proved herself in Yosemite’s familiar terrain, this unfamiliar wilderness could test her skills and resolve like never before.

Naya Vasquez: From Rookie to Key Player?

While Eric Bana is confirmed to return as Kyle Turner, the status of Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez remains uncertain but highly anticipated. In Season 1, Naya’s arc was closely tied to Yosemite, where she worked under Turner and chief ranger Paul Souter (Sam Neill). With Turner leaving Yosemite at the end of the season and key characters like Souter and wildlife officer Shane Maguire (Wilson Bethel) killed off, the shift to a new park raises questions about Naya’s role. However, Santiago has expressed enthusiasm for returning, stating in an interview, “I’d love to see Naya continue to grow as a ranger and face new challenges with Turner.” Mark Smith echoed this sentiment, noting, “We loved our cast and we loved the characters that they brought to life. We’re trying to figure out how to bring some of them back.”

One plausible scenario is that Naya transfers to the new park, perhaps following Turner or seeking to prove herself in a different environment. This would place her in a setting where she, like Turner, is out of her element, amplifying the stakes and dangers she faces. In Yosemite, Naya dealt with physical risks like climbing accidents and confrontations with suspects, but her familiarity with the park gave her an edge. In a new wilderness—whether it’s a swamp, desert, or arctic tundra—she may encounter unpredictable threats, from extreme weather to hostile locals or even dangerous wildlife. The Smiths’ emphasis on putting Turner “on his back foot” suggests that Naya, too, could be thrust into situations that challenge her confidence and force her to adapt.

Lily Santiago: Bringing Naya to Life

Lily Santiago’s portrayal of Naya Vasquez has been a highlight of Untamed, earning praise for its nuance and relatability. Santiago, known for roles in La Brea and The Exorcist TV series, brings a fresh energy to the show, balancing Naya’s inexperience with a fierce determination to prove herself. Her chemistry with Eric Bana’s stoic Turner added depth to their mentor-mentee dynamic, with moments of quiet understanding—like Turner passing her his son’s toy cars—resonating with audiences. Santiago’s ability to convey Naya’s growth from a nervous rookie to a capable ranger has fueled speculation about her expanded role in Season 2.

If Naya returns, Santiago’s performance will likely explore new facets of the character, such as her response to greater responsibility or her own personal struggles. The new park’s unique challenges could push Naya to confront fears or insecurities, mirroring Turner’s battle with grief and alcoholism. Fans on X have speculated about Naya’s potential arc, with posts like, “Naya Vasquez better be back in S2! She’s got to face some crazy new danger in a wild park with Turner!” reflecting the enthusiasm for her return.

The Stakes: A More Dangerous Wilderness

Season 2’s new setting promises to amplify the sense of danger that defined Untamed’s first season. Yosemite’s towering cliffs and dense forests provided a dramatic backdrop for suspense, but the new park could introduce hazards like treacherous waterways, extreme temperatures, or isolated terrains that test Naya’s survival skills. The mystery itself may involve complex threats, such as environmental crimes, missing hikers, or conflicts with local communities, requiring Naya to navigate both physical and interpersonal challenges.

The series’ creators have emphasized that the park will be a central character, shaping the tone and stakes of the story. For Naya, this could mean facing situations that push her beyond her training, forcing her to rely on instinct and her evolving partnership with Turner. The dynamic between the two characters—Turner’s weathered experience versus Naya’s determined optimism—will likely remain a core element, with the new park adding tension to their collaboration.

Production and Expectations

Untamed Season 2 is slated to begin production in mid-2025, aligning with the Summer 2026 release date. Filmed by Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions, the series will likely continue its tradition of stunning visuals, even if the new park is recreated in a location like British Columbia, where Season 1 was shot. The creative team, including Mark and Elle Smith as co-showrunners and executive producers alongside Bana, John Wells, and others, is poised to deliver another atmospheric thriller.

The show’s first season earned an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 62, with critics lauding its visuals and performances but noting some formulaic elements. Season 2’s shift to a new park and mystery offers a chance to address these critiques, delivering a fresh narrative that builds on the strengths of its predecessor. For Naya Vasquez, this means a potential spotlight as she navigates a wilderness that tests her in ways Yosemite never could.

Why Naya’s Journey Matters

Naya Vasquez’s arc resonates because it captures the universal struggle of stepping into the unknown and proving oneself under pressure. Her potential return in Season 2, facing greater dangers in an unfamiliar wilderness, promises to elevate her role from supporting player to a key figure in Untamed’s evolving story. As fans await Summer 2026, the prospect of seeing Naya and Turner tackle a new mystery in a wild, untamed landscape is enough to keep anticipation high.

For now, viewers can rewatch Season 1 on Netflix to revisit Naya’s journey and speculate about the dangers awaiting her. One thing is clear: if Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez steps into this new wilderness, she’ll face challenges that will test her courage and redefine her place in the world of Untamed.

Sources: Netflix Tudum, Variety, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, X posts