Netflix audiences were enthralled by the mysterious death of a woman in Yosemite National Park in Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith’s Untamed last week.

The series debuted on July 17 and quickly racked up 24.6M views, putting it at No. 1 on the English-language TV list. That’s quite a strong start — and a rejuvenation of that chart, which was looking a little lackluster last week. This also marks the second No. 1 debut for Mark L. Smith this year, after American Primeval hit the top spot in January.

Once again, true crime was also top of mind for Netflix viewers. Amy Bradley Is Missing took second place, amassing 12.2M views from July 14 to 20.

The Sandman Season 2 also picked up another 3.3M views, good enough for third place. As Deadline previously reported, the series took a bit of a viewership hit from the first season, which finished its second week of availability with around 11.5M views. However, by the third week, the series was sitting at a similar benchmark.

It’s hard to say exactly what contributed to the decline, though it’s likely that the comic adaptation was impacted by the sexual assault and misconduct allegations against Neil Gaiman, who created the comic on which the series is based and developed and executive produces the Netflix series. Gaiman has denied the allegations. Season 2 is the finale season of The Sandman.

WWE’s RAW maintained its presence as well at No. 5 with 2.7M views. In tenth place this week was Lena Dunham’s Too Much, putting up 1.9M views in its first full week of availability. This is probably pretty on par with its debut weekend performance, though it’s hard to say, because it didn’t make the Top 10 last interval. At that time, its absence from the rankings suggest it pulled in around or under 2M views in its first few days on Netflix, given that was the tally for last weeks No. 10 Ms. Rachel.

As for non-English TV, Squid Game Season 3 retained its No. 1 spot for the fourth week with another 7.8M views.

On the film side of things, KPop Demon Hunters is still a big hit, staying at No. 1 with another 25.8M views. That’s its highest week of viewing, and it’s already been on the Top 10 for the past four weeks, indicating that the movie has some legs still.

Second place went to Madea’s Destination Wedding with 16.5M views, and Happy Gilmore also jetted onto the list at No. 6 with 4M views ahead of the sequel’s premiere.

DROPPING WINTER 2025: Untamed Season 2 Introduces a New Lead with Eerie Nightmares

Netflix’s Untamed, a gripping mystery thriller set in the rugged wilderness of Yosemite National Park, took audiences by storm with its first season, which premiered on July 17, 2025. Originally billed as a limited series, the show’s success—bolstered by Eric Bana’s compelling performance as Kyle Turner and a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—has paved the way for a highly anticipated Season 2, slated to drop in Winter 2025. This new season promises to deepen the series’ atmospheric allure with a bold twist: a new lead character whose mysterious nightmares eerily mirror the events of Season 1, despite her claiming never to have watched the show. This article explores the exciting developments, cast changes, narrative possibilities, and fan expectations surrounding Untamed Season 2, drawing on insights from recent reports and critical analyses.

A Surprising Renewal for a “Limited” Series

When Untamed debuted, it was marketed as a self-contained six-episode arc, centered on Kyle Turner, a National Parks Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent investigating a brutal murder in Yosemite. The season’s finale tied up major plot threads, with Turner solving the mystery of Lucy Cook’s death and confronting personal demons tied to his son’s tragic loss. However, the show’s strong performance on Netflix’s charts and its resonance with fans sparked discussions about a potential continuation. According to Forbes, while initially a longshot, the show’s sustained popularity has made Season 2 a reality, with showrunners Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith envisioning new cases in different national parks. Eric Bana himself hinted at this possibility in interviews, noting the flexibility of Turner’s ISB role, which allows agents to move between parks.

Season 2’s announcement has generated buzz, particularly due to its intriguing premise. The introduction of a new lead character, whose identity remains under wraps, shifts the narrative focus while maintaining the series’ signature blend of wilderness ambiance and psychological depth. This bold move aligns with the showrunners’ intent to explore fresh mysteries while building on the emotional and thematic foundation of Season 1.

The New Lead and Her Nightmares

The most tantalizing detail about Season 2 is its new protagonist, a woman whose recurring nightmares inexplicably recreate key events from Season 1—despite her insistence that she has never seen the show. This premise introduces a supernatural or psychological layer to Untamed, which previously leaned on grounded, character-driven storytelling. The nightmares could suggest a connection to the park’s dark history, a psychological phenomenon, or even a narrative device tying her to Kyle Turner’s past investigations. While specifics about the character are scarce, speculation abounds that she may be a new ISB agent or a civilian drawn into a new mystery, possibly in a different national park like Yellowstone or the Great Smoky Mountains, as hinted by co-showrunner Elle Smith.

This narrative hook raises compelling questions: Are the nightmares a manifestation of repressed trauma, a paranormal connection to Yosemite’s secrets, or a clever misdirection? The show’s first season wove personal grief—particularly Turner’s hallucinations of his deceased son, Caleb—into its murder mystery, suggesting that Season 2 may delve deeper into themes of memory, perception, and the blurred line between reality and illusion. The new lead’s claim of never having seen the show adds a meta layer, inviting viewers to question the reliability of her perspective and how it ties to the broader Untamed universe.

Cast and Character Dynamics

While Eric Bana’s Kyle Turner was the heart of Season 1, it’s unclear whether he will return as a central figure or in a supporting capacity. Bana’s comments to Variety and TV Insider suggest he’s open to reprising his role, but the focus on a new lead indicates a potential shift. The Season 1 ensemble, including Sam Neill as chief park ranger Paul Souter, Rosemarie DeWitt as Turner’s ex-wife Jill Bodwin, and Lily Santiago as rookie ranger Naya Vasquez, brought emotional depth to the series. However, the finale saw Turner leave Yosemite, and Souter’s secrets were exposed, suggesting that some characters may not return or will appear in altered roles.

The new lead, described only as a woman with a complex backstory, is likely to be portrayed by a rising or established actress capable of carrying the show’s intense emotional weight. Her nightmares could connect her to Lucy Cook’s murder or the disappearance of Sean Sanderson, a case that haunted Turner and Jill in Season 1. Additionally, the showrunners may introduce new supporting characters to flesh out the new setting, maintaining the series’ focus on intricate human relationships and moral ambiguity.

A New Setting and Broader Scope

Season 1’s Yosemite backdrop was a character in itself, with its stunning vistas and hidden dangers amplifying the story’s tension. Critics praised the cinematography, with one reviewer noting that “the real star of the show is Yosemite National Park.” For Season 2, the Smiths have teased relocating the action to a different national park, leveraging the ISB’s mobile nature to explore new terrain. This shift could introduce fresh environmental challenges—perhaps the harsh winters of Glacier National Park or the dense forests of Olympic National Park—while preserving the series’ theme of nature as an untamed, lawless force.

The change in setting aligns with the show’s evolving narrative. While Season 1 focused on a single murder and its ripple effects, Season 2 could tackle a broader conspiracy or a series of interconnected cases, with the new lead’s nightmares serving as a narrative thread. The show’s ability to blend visceral wilderness settings with psychological intrigue will likely remain its strongest asset, as noted by Variety’s review of Season 1 as “deeply layered and gripping.”

Fan Expectations and Critical Reception

Untamed Season 1 received mixed but generally positive reviews, with a 79% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise for its cast and setting, though some critics noted pacing issues and overreliance on clichés. Fans, however, embraced the show’s slow-burn suspense and emotional core, with many binge-watching all six episodes and clamoring for more. The announcement of Season 2 has sparked excitement on social media, with viewers speculating about the new lead’s identity and the significance of her nightmares. Some fans theorize a supernatural twist, while others believe the nightmares reflect a psychological connection to Turner’s unresolved trauma.

The show’s ability to balance character-driven drama with investigative thrills will be crucial for Season 2’s success. As The Guardian noted, Untamed is “not the smartest of thrillers, but those mountains sure are lovely to look at,” suggesting that the new season must tighten its pacing and avoid predictable tropes to maintain momentum. The introduction of a female lead with a unique narrative hook could also broaden the show’s appeal, particularly if it explores feminist themes or Indigenous perspectives, as Season 1 briefly did.

Production and Release Details

Untamed Season 2 is set to premiere in Winter 2025, likely between December 2025 and February 2026, though an exact date has not been confirmed. The series will remain a Netflix exclusive, with all episodes expected to drop simultaneously, following the streamer’s binge model. Production is likely underway, given the timeline, with filming potentially occurring in Canada again, as Season 1 was shot in British Columbia due to logistical challenges with Yosemite.

Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith will return as showrunners, with Eric Bana, John Wells, and other Season 1 producers involved. The creative team’s experience with character-driven thrillers like The Revenant and American Primeval ensures a high production value, though fans hope for improved pacing and fewer narrative detours.

Conclusion

Untamed Season 2 promises to build on the strengths of its predecessor while charting new territory with a mysterious new lead and a haunting premise. The concept of nightmares mirroring Season 1’s events introduces an innovative twist, blending psychological depth with the series’ signature wilderness aesthetic. As fans await further details on the cast, setting, and plot, the anticipation is palpable. Will the new season deliver the same emotional resonance and suspense that made Season 1 a hit? Only time will tell, but with Winter 2025 on the horizon, Untamed is poised to captivate audiences once again.