Apple TV+ found a way to bring Bad Monkey back for season 2 — but not every cast member is coming back for more.
Based on the novel of the same name by Carl Hiaasen, Bad Monkey follows former police detective Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn) who gets demoted to a restaurant inspector before getting sucked into a murder investigation when a severed arm is pulled out of the water. The first season concluded in October 2024 with Yancy solving the case, which made Us think the show was over.
Creator Bill Lawrence had different plans and one month later Bad Monkey was renewed.
“When I pitched it [to Apple], I had a beginning, middle and end of a three-season arc for this character, and for who he would be and where he would get to — and they were really receptive to it,” Lawrence told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “It’s challenging right now to make shows, and especially to pick up your life and go make it. [Vince and I] both moved to Florida! It was insane.”
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He continued: “I think what’s cool, if we were able to do it, is that you have these season-long stories [where] you get caught up in characters’ lives. You see redemption stories, descents into the dark side for other characters, and that story gets told.”
Bad Monkey is undergoing changes since season 2 will be a departure from Hiaasen’s source material. While Vaughn is coming back, it remains to be seen how many other season 1 stars will be returning.
Keep scrolling to see which Bad Monkey alums are set to reprise their roles — and which aren’t:
Vince Vaughn
Season 2 is a departure from the source material but Vaughn’s character Yancy is the glue that is bringing the show back.
Natalie Martinez
During the season 1 finale, Rosa broke things off with Yancy. Martinez exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2024 that she isn’t ruling out a reconciliation.
“There’s a lot of love between Rosa and Yancy. He’s helped her in so many ways and there’s definitely this great friendship there. They’re very fond of each other and at that moment he says, ‘It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later.’ So I think the possibilities are kind of endless there — where they’re a part of each other’s pivotal moment.”
She added: “We don’t know anything about a second season — that hasn’t been talked about at all. I think the possibilities are endless here.”
Ronald Peet
Peet and his character Neville is likely not returning for a second season after his story was wrapped up.
Rob Delaney
Delaney’s Nick is likely not appearing in season 2 considering he died on screen.
Meredith Hagner
The same goes for Nick’s wife, Eve, who was killed off in the season 1 finale.
Charlotte Lawrence
“It’s a whole new story that nobody’s read before, that nobody’s heard before but in the same vein of the first season. There is that same feeling and that same intention,” Bill’s daughter, who plays Caitlin, told Us exclusively in August 2025. “I have a very major part in this second season and it’s my first massive part in a massive show and I’m very excited and very nervous.”
John Ortiz
Returning for season 2, Ortiz plays police detective Rogelio who is also Yancy’s best friend.
Jodie Turner-Smith
Turner-Smith’s scene-stealing role as Gracie won’t be reprised after a brutal season 1 murder.
Michelle Monaghan
While Bonnie left Yancy’s life (for now) in season 1, who is to say she couldn’t come back in a surprising way now that there are more episodes?
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Yvonne Strahovski
After wrapping up The Handmaid’s Tale, Strahovski will play an attorney named Delaney in season 2 of Bad Monkey.
John Malkovich
Season 2 has expanded the cast with multiple newcomers — including Malkovich. His character Spencer is the leader of a big criminal organization in South Florida.
Zavior Phillips
Phillips has been cast in season 2 as Eddie, who is described as “a CPA investigating financial crimes.”
