Created by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith.
Untamed mini-series premiered on July 17, 2025.
Distributed globally by Netflix.
Mini Series Review
Untamed transforms Yosemite’s breathtaking vistas into a haunting stage for grief, intrigue and the relentless pursuit of truth.
Season 1 opens with ISB agent Kyle Turner arriving to investigate a woman’s mysterious fall from El Capitan.
As he partners with rookie ranger Naya Vasquez, they navigate dense forests and bureaucratic roadblocks while wrestling with personal loss.
Under veteran ranger Paul Souter’s steady gaze, their search uncovers hidden alliances and long-buried secrets that stretch from shaded campsites to Park Service boardrooms.
The chemistry between Eric Bana’s weathered determination and Lily Santiago’s fierce resolve powers every tense trek and emotional confrontation, while Rosemarie DeWitt’s guest turn adds profound heart to the unfolding mystery.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
• Google Audience Score: 59% liked this TV show
Untamed (2025) Actors
Eric Bana as Kyle Turner

DOB: August 9, 1968
Bio: Born in Melbourne, Australia, Eric Bana first made waves as a comedian on Full Frontal before his breakthrough dramatic performance in Chopper showcased his extraordinary range.
Raised in a working-class family, Bana’s grounded nature has remained consistent throughout a career that spans intense war dramas, psychological thrillers, and nuanced television roles.
Role: Kyle Turner is a National Park Service agent still reeling from personal tragedy.
When a suspicious death disrupts the tranquility of Yosemite, Kyle’s investigation forces him to confront his own demons while navigating the harsh wilderness.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Stoic determination, emotional vulnerability in the wilderness, and complex father-figure moments.
Favorite Things: He enjoys riding motorcycles on long, solo trips and camping in remote areas to disconnect and reflect.
Notable Works: Munich, Black Hawk Down, Dirty John.
Lily Santiago as Naya Vasquez

DOB: April 2, 1996
Bio: A bilingual actress of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, raised in New York City.
She comes from a family of performers, her father is acclaimed actor and director Miguel Santiago.
Her breakout role on NBC’s La Brea showcased her natural ability to convey strength, emotional depth, and cultural pride.
Role: Rookie ranger and former LAPD officer balancing single parenthood with high-stakes investigations.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Sharp instincts, emotional resilience, and gripping stand-offs in the backcountry.
Favorite Things: She cherishes quiet time in nature, cooking Puerto Rican dishes with her family, and reading to unwind.
Notable Works: La Brea (NBC), Mac Beth, Vineyard.
Sam Neill as Paul Souter

DOB: September 14, 1947
Bio: Northern Irish-born, New Zealand-raised actor celebrated for his long, eclectic career in film and television.
After studying English literature at the University of Canterbury, he transitioned to acting, gaining international recognition with roles in The Piano, Jurassic Park, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Role: Yosemite’s chief ranger torn between park politics and moral imperatives.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Steady counsel, understated humor, and moments of bureaucratic tension.
Favorite Things: Tending to his vineyard, caring for animals, and sipping Pinot Noir by the fire.
Notable Works: Jurassic Park, The Piano, Peaky Blinders, Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Rosemarie DeWitt as Jill Bodwin

DOB: October 26, 1971
Bio: Born in Flushing, Queens, and raised in Hanover, New Jersey, Rosemarie DeWitt trained at the Actors Center in New York and is a graduate of Hofstra University.
She gained early recognition in United States of Tara and Mad Men, with widespread acclaim for Rachel Getting Married.
Role: Jill Bodwin is the emotionally grounded ex-wife of Kyle Turner, whose reappearance reopens old wounds and renews questions about trust, grief, and what still connects them.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Poignant reunions, candid conversations about loss, and unflinching emotional honesty.
Favorite Things: Reading Toni Morrison, cooking elaborate meals at home, and long walks to process emotions.
Notable Works: United States of Tara, Rachel Getting Married, Smile 2.
Wilson Bethel as Shane Maguire

DOB: February 24, 1984
Bio: Born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Wilson Bethel is an American actor and writer who began his career in theater and indie film before breaking out in network television.
He is best known for his charismatic charm in Hart of Dixie and his layered, morally ambiguous portrayal of Benjamin Poindexter/Bullseye in Daredevil.
Role: Wildlife officer with a haunted past and a strict personal code, whose solitary presence in the wilderness often clashes with Turner’s instincts and authority.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Tense standoffs, secretive alliances, and raw confrontations in the forest.
Favorite Things: Night trail runs, journaling near firelight, and disappearing off-grid for clarity.
Notable Works: Hart of Dixie, Daredevil, All Rise.
Nicola Correia-Damude as Esther Avalos

DOB: June 21, 1981
Bio: Of Venezuelan and Canadian heritage, Nicola Correia-Damude has built an international career spanning TV, film, and stage.
With a foundation in theater and a keen instinct for layered performances, she’s known for portraying powerful women in law enforcement and legal circles.
Role: Esther Avalos is a seasoned prosecuting attorney who acts as the legal compass in the Turner investigation.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Legal showdowns, principled stands, and escalating courtroom pressure.
Favorite Things: Commanding courtroom scenes, ethical tension, and unwavering professionalism in high-stakes cases.
Notable Works: Burden of Truth, Shadowhunters, The Boys.
William S. Smillie as Bruce Milch
DOB: mid-1980s
Bio: Toronto-born actor with deep roots in classical theater and Canadian television.
Known for his no-nonsense delivery and steady presence, Smillie has carved out a niche playing authority figures who walk the tightrope between order and disruption.
Role: As Bruce Milch, Smillie plays a meticulous park ranger devoted to rules and routines.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Office politics, procedural pushback, and moments of begrudging respect.
Favorite Things: Color-coded logs, quiet coffee in the ranger station, and policy manuals with sticky notes.
Notable Works: Chicago Fire, APB, Dark Matter.
Raoul Trujillo as Jay Stewart
DOB: May 8, 1955
Bio: An Indigenous actor, choreographer, and former soloist with the Nikolais Dance Theatre.
Born in New Mexico and raised within the cultural reach of Navajo Nation, he has spent decades bringing dignity and depth to Indigenous roles in film and television.
Role: Park maintenance ranger whose cultural insight uncovers crucial clues.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Deep knowledge of sacred sites, symbolic interpretations, and quiet authority.
Favorite Things: Reading the land through ancestral symbols, sunrise rituals, and sharing oral histories by firelight.
Notable Works: Apocalypto, Mayans M.C., Sicario.
Ezra Franky as Lucy Cook (Jane Doe)
DOB: circa 1999
Bio: Ezra Franky is a rising star whose breakout came via the indie circuit, where her emotionally raw performances caught the attention of casting directors looking for depth beyond experience.
A student of method acting and a visual artist herself, Franky brings a haunting realism to every frame.
Role: Lucy Cook, known only as “Jane Doe” at first, is the young woman whose unexplained death in Yosemite sets the entire investigation in motion.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6 (through flashbacks)
What to Expect: Haunting presence, uncovered secrets, and emotional resonance beyond the body.
Favorite Things: Sketching nature’s patterns, writing secret poems under tree canopies, and collecting small forest treasures.
Notable Works: Untamed (debut).
Josh Randall as Scott Bodwin
DOB: January 27, 1972
Bio: Josh Randall, born in Pacific Grove, California, USA, is a seasoned character actor whose work across television and stage has earned him a reputation for subtle emotional depth.
Role: Jill’s current husband who must navigate the return of his wife’s past and Turner’s intrusion.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Domestic tension, challenging allegiances, and moral dilemmas at home.
Favorite Things: Hosting warm family dinners, keeping routines sacred, and decompressing with quiet Sunday hikes.
Notable Works: Quarry, Ozark, Station 19.
Taylor Hickson as Summer
DOB: December 11, 1997
Bio: Hailing from Kelowna, British Columbia, Taylor Hickson began her screen journey as a stunt performer before stepping into the spotlight with emotionally charged roles.
Her talent for portraying layered, resilient young women has made her a standout in both genre television and film.
Role: Summer is a quiet local whose eerie proximity to the murder scene raises questions.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–6
What to Expect: Ambiguity, emotional vulnerability, and the fallout of small-town secrets.
Favorite Things: Collecting whispered legends, stargazing beside lonely campfires, and piecing together what others overlook.
Notable Works: Deadpool, Motherland: Fort Salem.
Ezra Wilson as Caleb Turner
DOB: circa 2011
Bio: A rising young talent discovered through indie casting, Ezra Wilson brings sincerity and gentle emotional depth to his early performances.
With a gaze that lingers and a quiet presence, Wilson taps into a childlike wonder and warmth that resonates beyond screen time.
Role: Caleb Turner is the late son of Kyle Turner, whose tragic absence forms the emotional backbone of the series.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 1, Episodes 1–3
What to Expect: Silent emotional weight, tender flashbacks, and the driving force behind Turner’s quest.
Favorite Things: Building model trucks with his dad, sharing campfire stories, and hiking trails only they knew.
Notable Works: Untamed (debut).
More Actors
• Joe Holt as Lawrence Hamilton
• Omi Fitzpatrick‑Gonzales as Gael Vasquez (Naya’s son)
• Trevor Carroll as Mr. Begay
FAQ – Untamed (2025) Series
Is Untamed being renewed?
Yes. Eric Bana confirmed that Season 2 is officially in development. Kyle Turner will investigate a new case in a different national park with fresh emotional stakes. More details on VARIETY
What inspired the story and setting?
Inspired by real chemistry of national parks, creators purposely limited modern technology for a raw, character-focused mystery set in nature’s extremes.
Who plays the mysterious victim Lucy Cook?
Ezra Franky portrays Lucy Cook (initially called Jane Doe), whose unexplained death triggers the central investigation. Her backstory unfolds through flashbacks and broken clues.
Why was Untamed initially billed as a limited series?
It’s structured as a self-contained six-episode arc that resolves its central mystery, though its ending leaves room for future seasons if the storytellers choose to expand the universe.
Conclusion
Untamed offers a compelling blend of natural wonder and human drama.
Its first season delivers strong performances and stunning visuals that draw viewers into Yosemite’s mysteries and the personal journeys of its protagonists.
While the plot may follow familiar thriller beats, the emotional depth and rich setting set Untamed apart.
Whether you’re drawn by Eric Bana’s brooding lead or the series’ immersive atmosphere, this Netflix original stakes its claim as a memorable crime drama in the great outdoors.