Apple TV+’s sun-drenched adaptation ofBad Monkeywas a surprise hit in late 2024, and now the show has been renewed for a second season. Based on the eponymous novel by Carl Hiaasen,Bad Monkeyfollows a disgraced ex-cop named Andrew (Vince Vaughn), whose new career as a health inspector puts him on the trail of a gruesome mystery. Capturing Hiaasen’s style excellently,Bad Monkeydelves into deep themes like corruption and environmentalism, all the while delivering the author’s pitch-black sense of humor on the wild and wacky shores of South Florida.
Despite his four decades as a best-selling novelist, Hiaasen’s works are an untapped well that Hollywood has only come to a few times over the years.Bad Monkeyis the first project to go for the gusto and adapt one of his signature hilarious mysteries on a large scale.The ending ofBad Monkeymay have made some changes to the novel, but it also set the stage for an exciting follow-up. It may have taken a while for the streamer to make a decision regarding a sophomore outing, but it has now been confirmed thatBad Monkeywill return for season 2.
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Apple TV+ Renews The Quirky Mystery Series
While viewers were left in limbo for several months as Apple TV+ mulled over their options regarding a second season, the streamer did eventuallyrenewBad Monkeyin December 2024. The decision was something of a no-brainer considering its success, but a sophomore outing wasn’t a guarantee either. Fortunately, the Carl Hiaasen series will return for more episodes soon, though there are many details that haven’t been revealed.Season 2 could adapt the sequel novel,Razor Girl,but that hasn’t been confirmed either.
Bad Monkeypremiered on June 26, 2025 and concluded on October 10.
Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence helped createBad Monkeyfor Apple TV+, andhe is attached to oversee the second season as well. The season 2 renewal continues the excellent working relationship between Lawrence and the streamer, andBad Monkeycould become a long-running hit with the TV maven at the helm. Lawrence released a statement about the show’s renewal, and he gushed about Hiaasen and the opportunity to bring the works of “an idol” to life once again.
Read Lawrence’s comments here:
“I hope that people know that Carl Hiaasen is an idol of mine and an inspiration for me as a writer. To get to go on telling his story with Vince Vaughn and this great cast, at least the characters who are still alive, is very exciting. I’m very thankful to our partners at Apple TV+ and Warner Bros, as well as the entire team that helps bring this show to life.”
Yancy Is Back On The Case
The star-studdedcast ofBad Monkeywas one of its strongest assets, but not everyone made it out of season 1 alive. As such, the cast of the sophomore outing will likely involve a host of new cast members, with some characters from the first carrying over.Vince Vaughn is already confirmed to returnas the detective-turned-health-inspector Andrew Yancy, and the sardonic sleuth is quintessential Hiaasen. Any other return is up in the air at this point, though it’s assumed that a few, such as Natalie Martinez' Rosa, will be back alongside Vaughn.
What Monkey Plays Driggs In Bad Monkey & Where You’ve Seen Her Before (Was She Really In POTC?)
Driggs' actor in Bad Monkey had been in the industry for a long time, making one character’s claim about the capuchin Johnny Depp’s co-star viable.
Carter “Egg” Ecclestone
Season 2 Could Adapt Carl Hiaasen’s “Razor Girl”
With the contents of the eponymous novel used up already,Bad Monkeywill need to either invent some new plot or turn back to the source for inspiration.
While nothing about the story ofBad Monkeyseason 2 has been confirmed yet,it stands to reason that it will adapt Carl Hiaasen’s 2016 novelRazor Girl.The book is a sequel toBad Monkeyin that it places Yancy at the center of the story once again. Hiaasen doesn’t really write direct sequels, instead he reuses his protagonists and supporting characters in different stories as they stumble across some new mystery. With the contents of the eponymous novel used up already,Bad Monkeywill need to either invent some new plot or turn back to the source for inspiration.
Considering creator Bill Lawrence’s affinity for Hiaasen and his books,Razor Girlmakes the most sense. The book centers on the titular character, a kidnapper for the mafia who is tasked with snatching a wealthy beach redeveloper. Unfortunately, Merry Mansfield (aka Razor Girl) instead kidnaps the talent manager for a reality TV star. Without his handler, the star makes a series of offensive jokes which prompts him to go on the lam. When bits of the star’s beard find their way into a restaurant’s kitchen, health inspector Andrew Yancy is drawn into the case of the missing reality star.
Naturally, a new mystery will necessitate a mostly-new cast, and the novel only recycles Yancy, Rosa, and Sheriff Summers. Since the show has already deviated from the source,there’s no reason why any surviving characters from season 1 couldn’t turn up in season 2. This gives the writers a chance to offer more growth for the recurring characters, something that is often lost in the books because of the fast-paced and tongue-in-cheek nature of the stories. Regardless,Bad Monkeyseason 2 has a lot to work with.
Bad Monkey
Cast
A former Miami detective turned health inspector, Andrew Yancy, discovers a severed arm while working in the Florida Keys. Determined to solve the mystery and reclaim his former position, he navigates through a web of quirky locals and corruption, all while dealing with a troublesome monkey.
