Netflix Debuts Texas-Based Mystery Series The Hunting Wives with Mixed Reviews

Netflix's new series The Hunting Wives, based on May Cobb's novel, has been positioned as a dark, soapy drama and a replacement for HBO's Big Little Lies, debuting with positive critical reception though slightly behind the original series in ratings. The show follows Sophie O'Neal, a Boston lifestyle blogger who moves to East Texas and becomes entangled with a secretive, scandalous group of local women known as The Hunting Wives, blending elements of mystery, cultural satire, and melodrama. Critics highlight the series' focus on steamy scenes, outrageous storytelling, and a depiction of a red-state versus blue-state divide, with a mixture of sex, drugs, betrayal, and a murder investigation adding to the tension. While some reviewers note the show prioritizes entertainment over deep character development or sociopolitical commentary, it has been praised for being wildly entertaining and addictive. The central cast includes Brittany Snow, Malin Akerman, and Dermot Mulroney, with the show exploring themes of luxury, secrets, and complex interpersonal relationships against a backdrop of Texas elite culture. Overall, The Hunting Wives offers a bold, brash take on the genre, blending mystery and soap opera elements in a distinctly Texan setting.