‘It’s Big Little Lies Meets Yellowstone’: Get to Know the Cast of ‘The Hunting Wives’

Are you ready for your next summer series binge? Netflix’s The Hunting Wives is the steamy new drama that has everyone talking—and for seriously good reason. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by May Cobb, The Hunting Wives serves up scandal and suspense on a silver platter.

The show follows a woman named Sophie, who is relocating from Boston to Texas with her family. Soon after, Sophie grows close to a mysterious socialite named Margo—and what follows is a sordid tale of obsession, seduction…and murder. With more than 5 million streams in its first week, The Hunting Wives has already secured the #2 position on Netflix’s most-watched list. Whether you want to know more about this buzzy series before diving in or you’re already a fan, you’re in the right place. Here, we gathered up everything to know about the twisty series—from the plot to the cast, what the showrunner has to say about the series’ appeal and if there will be a second season. Keep scrolling for more!

What’s ‘The Hunting Wives’ about?

When May Cobb wrote The Hunting Wives in 2021, she had no idea it would become a bestseller—let alone a hit Netflix show. The soapy series follows the same premise as Cobb’s book (with a few minor changes). Sophie O’Neill, played by Brittany Snow, is a Boston housewife, mom and former political publicist who moves to East Texas for her husband Graham’s job. Before long, Sophie acclimates by trying to fit in with the wealthy women of Maple Brook—while ignoring her sobriety and suddenly going to church. But when there’s a shocking murder, an unexpected reveal turns some of the women into prime suspects.

The series’ opening scene starts with a flashback to three weeks earlier: A woman is breathing heavily and running through the woods, desperately trying to escape gunshots as Patsy Cline’s ‘Walkin’ After Midnight’ plays eerily over top. It’s a memorable way to set the atmosphere and hook viewers from the start!

Entertainment

12 Book Adaptations You’ll Love: From 'Wicked' to 'We Were Liars'

There’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite book characters come to life in a movie or TV show. From seeing if they resemble the image you had in your head to discovering new aspects of their personalities you might not have known, it truly is something incredibly special. And this year, several production companies are […]

Meet ‘The Hunting Wives’—and see what the show’s creator has to say about all those ‘juicy’ scenes

The show’s creator and showrunner, Rebecca Cutter, weighed in on why she thinks the series is skyrocketing to success. “It’s so fun and juicy and sexy. Everyone is behaving so badly,” Cutter said yesterday in an interview with the New York Post. “I wanted to do an exploration of women behaving badly, unapologetic sexual conquests running rampant—just something fun.”

And when it comes to the show’s cast, including a standout performance from Malin Ackerman as Margo, Cutter couldn’t be happier. “It was important to find an actress, not necessarily that was willing to do nudity per se, but that really felt comfortable with the sexuality and owning that power that she has,” she continued. “The first actress that we looked for was the Margo Banks character, because it felt like if we didn’t nail that, then the whole thing falls apart.” Keep reading to “meet” all the women from Maple Brook!

Entertainment

If You Like ‘Yellowstone,’ You’ll Love Hallmark Channel’s Western Series ‘Ride’ — Meet The Cast + Get The Scoop on Season 2

Get lost in the family drama, handsome cowboys and romance — here's what you need to know

Brittany Snow as Sophie O’Neill 

Sophie isn’t exactly comfortable as she settles into her new home in Texas with her husband and son. While attending a lavish event for her husband’s new boss, viewers can immediately sense her uneasiness. But she molds into the local ‘housewife’ scene rather quickly: She breaks her sobriety, buys a gun and seemingly starts to abandon her moral compass.

Snow is best known for her role as Chloe in the Pitch Perfect trilogy. She also starred in Netflix’s Someone Great as well as Hairspray, Prom Night, The Pacifier and more.

Malin Akerman as Margo Banks

Margo Banks is the billionaire housewife of Sophie’s husband Graham’s boss. Margo came from meager beginnings on the other side of Texas, but has since transformed into a Texas trophy wife. Now, Margo is “leader of the pack” of this socialite group—also known as the Hunting Wives. Meanwhile, Sophie is drawn to Margo ever since their peculiar first meeting and Margo quickly takes Sophie under her wing.

“You want to hold Margo Banks at a distance,” Akerman said about her character in an interview on Live with Kelly and Mark. “She’s your best friend—until she’s not. I feel like this show is a mix of Big Little Lies meets Yellowstone.”

Margo is strikingly played by Swedish actress Malin Akerman, who starred in beloved rom-coms like 27 Dresses and The Heartbreak Kid. Her credits also include HBO’s The Watchman and Showtime’s Billions.

Akerman also described why she “fell in love” with the character during an interview with People. “I got to see her whole arc and see where she begins and where she came from and where she ends up, and it’s just such a meaty role,” she said of Margo. “She’s a master manipulator, she’s vibrant, she’s sexy…she’s all these things that are fun to play,” she continued. “There was just so much to work with there. There was no way I could say no to it.”

Katie Lowes as Jill

Jill is the Reverend’s wife at their local megachurch—but she’s not in a picture-perfect marriage. Instead of dwelling on her marital unhappiness, she puts all her efforts into her son, Brad, and parties with the Hunting Wives.

Lowes is played by Katie Lowes. Lowes is best known for her major roles in Scandal (as Quinn Perkins), How We Roll and Inventing Anna.

Chrissy Metz as Starr

Starr is a single mom to cheerleader Abby Jackson, who is dating Jill’s son Brad. Starr and Sophie meet at church, but the other women influence Sophie to stay away from Starr. 

Metz—who is also a Woman’s World cover star—is well-known for her role as beloved character Kate Pearson in NBC’s This Is Us. She’s also appeared in Sienna Burgess Is a Loser and American Horror Story. Most recently, Metz wrote a bestselling children’s book entitled When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings.

Jaime Ray Newman as Callie

Callie is the wife of the local sheriff and one of Margo’s closest confidants. Her jealousy soars as Sophie and Margo’s relationship deepens. 

Newman has appeared on many TV shows, including The Punisher, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Dope Sick, Little Fires Everywhere, The Magicians and more.

Joyce Glenn as Monae

Wealthy and sophisticated, Monae is another member of the Hunting Wives.

Monae is portrayed by model and actress Joyce Glenn, whose credits include Checkmate and Family Portrait among others.

Get a scandalous peek at ‘The Hunting Wives’ Season 1

Deal of the Day

This Deep Conditioning Collagen Hair Mask for Has 4.9 Stars and Is 80% Off — Get It for $20! View Deal

Will there be a Season 2 of ‘Hunting Wives’?

As of right now, a second season has not been confirmed by Netflix, but fans are hopeful—and so is Akerman. “This cast of ladies…they are all such incredible actors and wonderful humans,” she continued. “We were shooting in Charlotte, North Carolina and there happens to be this incredible honky tonk called Coyote Joe’s. We actually shot a scene there for the show, but once we discovered it, we were all there every weekend—two-stepping with cowboys and just spending as much time as possible with one another. We all really hope we get a second season.”

Intrigued? The Hunting Wives is streaming now on Netflix.