Sam Neill Discusses 'The Twelve' and Memoir After Cancer Treatment

Q: A beloved actor's final role ends in suicide. Will his death now end the hit Netflix show too?

No. The premise is wrong, and while Sam Neill’s death puts pressure on Netflix’s *Untamed*, it does not automatically end the show. Available reporting says Neill’s final TV role was Chief Ranger Paul Souter in *Untamed*, and his character’s arc culminated in suicide. But Neill himself did not die by suicide. He died on July 13, 2026, at 78, after a long battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, according to his family and subsequent coverage. What his death does affect is the future of *Untamed*. The series had already been renewed for a second season in 2025 after strong performance, but Neill was its biggest name and a central presence. That means producers and Netflix now face a creative and commercial decision: whether to continue without him, rework the story, or quietly stop after one season. At this point, there is no confirmed announcement that *Untamed* has been canceled because of Neill’s death. The strongest evidence suggests the show’s future is now uncertain rather than finished. Some reports say plans for a longer run are likely to be reconsidered; others note the renewal happened because the series was strong enough to stand on its own. So the most accurate answer is that Neill’s death has cast doubt over *Untamed*’s next chapter, but it has not yet been confirmed as the end of the Netflix show.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 13

Sam Neill said cancer treatment for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma pushed him to write his memoir, leaving him with what he described as a more blunt, truthful outlook.
In a 2024 interview tied to The Twelve and his book Did I Ever Tell You This?, Neill spoke unusually candidly about his work, calling the drama’s second season stronger than the first.
Neill also framed his career as a balance between constant acting and rural life, saying farming and winemaking keep him sane while the idea of not working fills him with dread.
The 78-year-old Jurassic Park actor looked back on a career spanning Sleeping Dogs, Dead Calm, The Piano and Possession, saying he never wanted a full Hollywood life despite international success.