Now on Netflix + Apple TV+: Eric Bana transforms into Rick Grimes in a gritty reimagining of Netflix’s latest zombie movie—where survival isn’t just about the undead
With steely resolve and quiet grief, Bana leads a fractured community teetering between hope and horror. This new chapter ditches the old hero tropes for a slower, moodier descent into what humanity becomes when all rules are gone.

Those who miss watching Rick Grimes fight back against the supernatural in The Walking Dead can look to watching Netflix’s new mystery series, Untamed, starring Eric Bana in a similar role. Created by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, Untamed is set in Yosemite National Park in California, where a body is discovered, leading to a murder investigation taking place.

The murder investigation is led by ISB agent Kyle Turner (Bana), whose struggles to cope with personal loss heavily impact his feelings about the case as he works to identify the victim and determine who was responsible. Throughout the series, Turner is assisted by Naya Vasquez and Paul Souter, played by Lily Santiago and Sam Neill, respectively.

Upon its release on July 17, 2025, Untamed rose to the top of Netflix’s streaming charts and became one of the most binged-watched mystery miniseries on the platform. Although initially billed as a miniseries, Untamed’s creator has hinted that season 2 could happen in the future. Regardless, Untamed is a great pick for those who enjoyed the early seasons of The Walking Dead.

Eric Bana’s Character In Untamed Seems Like TWD’s Rick Grimes Without Zombies

Both Characters Keep To Themselves & Struggle To Open Up To Others

Throughout Untamed, Eric Bana’s character, Kyle Turner, serves as the lead investigator in the death of a young woman in Yosemite National Park. Turner is forced to partner up with rookie ranger, Naya Vasquez, and initially struggles to open up to her and the rest of the community, similar to Andrew Lincoln’s character, Rick Grimes, in The Walking Dead.

Untamed Trailer

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In the early seasons of The Walking Dead, Rick deals with trust issues; he initially refuses to rely on anybody except himself, and later, his crew. As the series progresses, however, Grimes allows himself to experience grief and pain, which later helps him improve his relationships with his family and friends.

Rick Grimes and Kyle Turner also share the same devotion to duty and getting justice. Throughout Untamed, Kyle Turner is portrayed as an agent who is determined to find the answers to any case he is given; his dedication to his role ultimately leads him to solve the case by Untamed’s ending.

Similarly, in The Walking Dead, Rick Grimes shows dedication through his loyalty to his family and his crew. Both characters also face struggles between what they believe is right and how it will affect everybody around them.

Kyle’s Role In Untamed Is Similar To Rick Grimes In Other Ways

Both Have Dealt With Loss & Share Authoritative Roles Throughout The Series

Throughout Untamed, Kyle Turner’s role as an ISB agent means that he serves as the authority figure for the team investigating the murder at Yosemite National Park. And obviously, we know from Rick Grimes’ backstory in The Walking Dead that he worked as a sheriff and used his experience to lead his group during their fight for survival.

Both Turner and Grimes also suffer a personal loss that impacts their lives throughout their shows. In Untamed, it’s revealed that Kyle Turner is struggling to cope with the death of his son, resulting in his separation from his wife, while in The Walking Dead, Rick is heavily affected by several personal losses.

Like other great main characters, Rick Grimes was synonymous with resilience in The Walking Dead. Turner’s resilience in the face of death is an eerie similarity to Rick’s, and could be explored further if Untamed is renewed for a second season.