October 3 Release Confirmed — UNTAMED: Season 2 Reveals the Park’s Founding Family, with Kyle Shocked to See Elizabeth Debicki Among Them

Netflix’s gripping crime drama Untamed is set to return for its second season on October 3, 2025, promising a deeper dive into the rugged wilderness and personal demons of National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent Kyle Turner, played by Eric Bana. Following the success of its debut season, which garnered 24.6 million views in its first week and an 80% Rotten Tomatoes rating, Season 2 shifts to a new national park with a fresh mystery tied to the park’s founding family. A surprising twist has fans buzzing: the involvement of acclaimed actress Elizabeth Debicki, whose character shocks Kyle with a connection to his past. This 1,000-word article explores the confirmed release, the new park’s historical intrigue, Debicki’s role, and what lies ahead for Kyle in this thrilling continuation.

A New Park, A New Legacy

Season 1 of Untamed, released on July 17, 2025, captivated audiences with its moody blend of murder mystery and character study set in Yosemite National Park. Kyle Turner’s investigation into Lucy Cook’s death unraveled dark secrets while forcing him to confront his grief over his son Caleb’s death, his fractured marriage to Jill Bodwin, and his battle with alcoholism. The season’s success, topping Netflix’s English-language TV list for two weeks, led to a swift renewal on July 29, 2025, as reported by Variety. Season 2 will take Kyle to a new national park, distinct from Yosemite’s granite cliffs, with co-showrunners Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith emphasizing a setting that feels “alive” and integral to the story.

While the specific park remains undisclosed, speculation points to iconic locations like Yellowstone, Glacier, or the Great Smoky Mountains, each offering unique cultural and geographical identities. The new season’s mystery will center on the park’s founding family, a historical lineage tied to the land’s establishment. This family’s legacy will drive the central case, which involves a missing hiker, as teased in earlier announcements. The park’s history, combined with Kyle’s personal connection to a family landmark, will create a narrative that blends external investigation with internal conflict.

Elizabeth Debicki’s Shocking Role

The biggest revelation for Season 2 is the casting of Elizabeth Debicki, known for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown and roles in The Great Gatsby, Widows, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. According to promotional materials, Kyle is stunned to encounter Debicki’s character, a member of the park’s founding family, suggesting a deep personal or professional connection. While details about her role remain scarce, Debicki’s character is likely the “one person he swore never to see again,” as hinted in earlier teases about episode 3, where a missing hiker’s voice recording triggers a pivotal confrontation. This connection could tie to Kyle’s past—possibly his family, his son’s death, or a pre-ISB life event—making her appearance a narrative bombshell.

Debicki’s involvement elevates the season’s star power. Her ability to portray complex, emotionally layered characters, as seen in The Night Manager and The Crown, suggests her role will be more than a cameo. Fans speculate she could play a descendant of the founding family, perhaps a historian, park official, or someone with a darker secret linked to the hiker’s case. Her presence among the founding family implies a story rooted in legacy, power, and hidden truths, with Kyle’s shock indicating a past betrayal or unresolved history. Given Debicki’s Australian background and Bana’s, their shared cultural roots might add authenticity to their on-screen dynamic, enhancing the emotional weight of their scenes.

Episode 3: The Hiker’s Case and Kyle’s Past

Episode 3 is shaping up to be a turning point, with the missing hiker’s case taking center stage. A voice recording, described as haunting, contains clues that point to the founding family and their influence over the park. This recording, possibly found on a recovered device, will lead Kyle to the family landmark—a cabin, monument, or natural feature tied to his own history. The confrontation with Debicki’s character in this episode will force Kyle to face a secret he’s long suppressed, potentially related to his son Caleb, his ex-wife Jill, or a professional failure from his past.

The founding family’s role suggests a mystery steeped in historical intrigue, possibly involving land disputes, environmental cover-ups, or a crime tied to the park’s establishment. Debicki’s character could be a guardian of these secrets, whose encounter with Kyle disrupts his investigation and personal stability. The showrunners have promised a case “organic” to the new park, distinct from Season 1’s El Capitan murder, ensuring the mystery feels fresh while maintaining the wilderness as a menacing backdrop.

Cast and Returning Characters

Eric Bana returns as Kyle Turner, whose grizzled intensity and vulnerability anchor the series. His performance in Season 1 was praised for grounding the thriller’s twists, and Season 2 will push him further into uncharted emotional territory. The anthology-style shift to a new park raises questions about returning cast members. Rosemarie DeWitt’s Jill Bodwin, Kyle’s ex-wife, could reappear if the landmark or Debicki’s character ties back to their shared history, especially given Jill’s Season 1 actions in arranging their son’s killer’s murder. Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez, the rookie ranger, is another potential returnee, with Santiago expressing enthusiasm for more mysteries. However, Sam Neill’s Paul Souter and Wilson Bethel’s Shane Maguire, who died in Season 1, are unlikely to return except in flashbacks.

Debicki will be joined by new characters specific to the park, likely including rangers, locals, or family descendants, as teased by Mark L. Smith. These figures will complicate Kyle’s investigation, offering allies and obstacles. The casting of Debicki, with her proven ability to steal scenes, suggests a prominent role that will challenge Bana’s Kyle in unexpected ways.

Thematic Depth and Visual Stakes

Untamed Season 2 will continue to treat the park as a living character, with its landscape shaping the mystery and Kyle’s emotional state. The founding family’s legacy introduces themes of history, power, and accountability, while Kyle’s personal connection to Debicki’s character will explore guilt, redemption, and confronting the past. The hiker’s voice recording adds a modern technological twist, contrasting the park’s timeless wilderness.

Filming, reportedly underway after Season 1’s British Columbia shoot, will leverage the new park’s visuals—whether Yellowstone’s geysers or Glacier’s peaks—to create a cinematic backdrop. The October 3 release aligns with the show’s moody tone, perfect for fall viewing, and the accelerated production schedule reflects Netflix’s confidence in the series’ popularity.

Why Season 2 Will Thrill

Untamed Season 2, premiering October 3, 2025, promises a darker, more personal journey for Kyle Turner. The introduction of the park’s founding family, with Elizabeth Debicki’s shocking role, adds a layer of historical and emotional intrigue to the missing hiker’s case. With Eric Bana’s commanding performance, a new park’s untamed beauty, and Debicki’s star power, Untamed is poised to dominate Netflix again. As Kyle faces his past and the park’s secrets, viewers will be drawn into a mystery where the wilderness and human heart are equally unpredictable.