The Hunting Wives, which premiered on Netflix on July 21, 2025, is a riveting and addictive series that plunges viewers into the dark underbelly of East Texas high society. The show, based on the novel by May Cobb, masterfully combines Southern gothic suspense with a sharp social commentary, creating a world where glamour, secrets, and murder are all part of the local gossip.
The series centers on Sophie O’Neil (Brittany Snow), a former big-city journalist who, along with her architect husband Graham O’Neil (Evan Jonigkeit), moves to the seemingly perfect town of Maple Brook, Texas.
Eager to escape a past scandal and settle into a quieter life, Sophie is immediately drawn into the powerful orbit of the town’s undisputed queen bee, Margo Banks (Malin Akerman).
Margo is the charismatic and manipulative leader of an exclusive, glamorous group of women known as The Hunting Wives, a clique that spends their days with fine wine, shopping, gossip and hunting in the woods—a ritual that is equal parts social event and primal release.
As Sophie becomes more deeply entangled with The Hunting Wives, the pristine facade of their perfect lives begins to crumble. The show expertly establishes the high stakes of social climbing in a small, closed-off community, where every secret is a potential weapon.
The plot thickens dramatically with the introduction of a local murder, forcing Sophie to rely on her long-dormant journalism/public relations instincts to uncover the truth. She must navigate a treacherous landscape of shifting loyalties and veiled threats, all while questioning who her real friends are and what Margo’s true intentions might be.
The ensemble cast delivers powerful, layered performances that bring these complex, flawed characters to life. Akerman is a standout as the magnetic and dangerous Margo, while Snow’s portrayal of Sophie is both vulnerable and resilient.
Callie (Jaime Ray Newman), Jill (Katie Lowes), Taylor (Alexandria DeBerry) and Monae (Joyce Glenn) round out the core group of women, each adding their own dimension to the drama.
Dermot Mulroney‘s role as Jed Banks, Margo’s wealthy husband and Graham’s boss who is an oil tycoon and Texas gubernatorial candidate, provides a compelling counterpoint to the female-centric intrigue, highlighting the strain the town’s sinister undercurrents.
George Ferrier also stars as Brad, Jill’s teenage son who is having an affair with Margo while going out with Abby (Madison Wolfe).
The Hunting Wives (Photo/Netflix)
Reception for The Hunting Wives
The Hunting Wives debuted on Monday July 21, by the end of the week, it was sitting in second place in the U.S. most watched list.
While The Hunting Wives is only on Netflix in the United States, but it still landed in third place on the global list with 5.2M views.
As part of Lionsgate and Starz’s separation agreement, which came into effect May 7, Lionsgate Television negotiated the acquisition of The Hunting Wives‘ rights back from Starz and licensed the exclusive U.S. rights to the series to Netflix for one year.
Wrap Up
The Hunting Wives is a thrilling exploration of female friendships, power dynamics, and the dangerous secrets that lurk behind the closed doors of the wealthy elite.
It’s a compelling mystery with a sharp, suspenseful pace that is perfect for a binge-watch.
The show effectively translates the novel’s intoxicating blend of mystery and social drama, making it a highly compelling watch for fans of both genres.
