Netflix’s new miniseries “Untamed,” a mystery thriller set in the iconic Yosemite National Park, has quickly ascended to become the streaming service’s most viewed show globally within days of its release. Starring Eric Bana as an investigator embroiled in a murder case amidst dramatic wilderness settings, the initial audience excitement is not unwarranted.
However, the series has garnered a wave of criticism particularly from those intimately familiar with Yosemite, primarily due to stark discrepancies between its portrayal and the reality of the park. Beth Pratt, an author with deep connections to Yosemite, expressed her discontent, emphasizing, “Why claim Yosemite, one of the most unique landscapes in the national park system, as your setting yet feature almost nothing recognizable about the park?” According to her, only a few minutes of actual Yosemite footage appear in the six-hour series, most of which was filmed in British Columbia instead.
Critics, including climber and former Yosemite Search and Rescue worker Dustin Weatherford, have pointed out numerous inaccuracies. For instance, the portrayal of a Harris’s hawk and elk near visitor centers fails to align with the real wildlife found in Yosemite. Weatherford highlighted specific scenes, such as climbers unreasonably risking their safety at cliffs, as unrealistic, suggesting that genuine climbing consultants were likely not utilized during production.
Despite these criticisms, there is some acknowledgment of the creative aspects of the series. Bana’s performance and his interactions with park rangers—depicted as having a complicated relationship with a real Investigative Services Branch agent—were seen as some of the show’s more accurate components.
Both Pratt and her peers feel that “Untamed” missed a valuable opportunity to educate viewers about the real issues facing national parks today. With underfunding and understaffing at the forefront, there is a call for such productions to reflect the true challenges encountered by park rangers.
As Pratt mentioned, there is a need for a representation that honors the park’s majesty and the dedication of those who work to preserve it. She expressed her willingness to guide Bana should a second season be produced, hoping to bridge the gap between fiction and the authentic beauty and difficulties of Yosemite National Park.
This feedback presents a hopeful note that perhaps future series can strike a balance between storytelling and real-life accuracy, fostering greater appreciation for our natural landscapes and their guardians.