Apple TV+’s sun-drenched adaptation of Bad Monkey was 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 Monkey follows 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 Monkey delves 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 Monkey is the first project to go for the gusto and adapt one of his signature hilarious mysteries on a large scale. The ending of Bad Monkey may 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 that Bad Monkey will return for season 2.
Bad Monkey Season 2 Is Confirmed
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 eventually renew Bad Monkey in 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.
Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence helped create Bad Monkey for Apple TV+, and he is attached to oversee the second season as well. The season 2 renewal continues the excellent working relationship between Lawrence and the streamer, and Bad Monkey could 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.”
Bad Monkey Season 2 Cast Details
Yancy Is Back On The Case
The star-studded cast of Bad Monkey was 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 return as 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.
The cast of Bad Monkey season 2 will likely include:
| Actor | Bad Monkey Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Vince Vaughn | Andrew Yancy |
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| Natalie Martinez | Rosa Campesino |
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| Michelle Monaghan | Bonnie Witt |
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| Ronald Peet | Neville Stafford |
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| John Ortiz | Rogelio Burton |
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| Todd Allen Durkin | Sheriff Summers |
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| David St. Louis | Carter “Egg” Ecclestone |
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Bad Monkey Season 2 Story Details
Season 2 Could Adapt Carl Hiaasen’s “Razor Girl”
“With the contents of the eponymous novel used up already, Bad Monkey will need to either invent some new plot or turn back to the source for inspiration”
While nothing about the story of Bad Monkey season 2 has been confirmed yet, it stands to reason that it will adapt Carl Hiaasen’s 2016 novel Razor Girl. The book is a sequel to Bad Monkey in 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 Monkey will 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 Girl makes 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 Monkey season 2 has a lot to work with.
