The Hunting Wives Interview
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman, the lead actresses of the upcoming drama The Hunting Wives, which will be available exclusively on Netflix in the US starting July 21st for one year. In our conversation, they offer insights into the series, their characters, and their experiences during filming.
Adapted from May Cobb’s best-selling novel, The Hunting Wives is a darkly captivating and provocative drama filled with mystery and suspense. This stylish, twist-packed series is ideal for fans of Netflix hits like Dead to Me, Behind Her Eyes, and What/If.
The story centers on Sophie O’Neil (Brittany Snow), who relocates with her husband Graham (Evan Jonigkeit) and their son from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Maple Brooks, Texas, seeking a fresh start and hoping to leave behind Sophie’s traumatic past. However, arriving in deeply conservative Texas presents a major culture shock, especially for Sophie, who soon meets Margo (Malin Akerman) — a charismatic, hedonistic socialite who gradually encourages Sophie to open up. As Sophie becomes involved with Margo and the Hunting Wives, she falls under their irresistible influence. Before long, her old habits resurface, and the situation turns increasingly dangerous.
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Below is our full interview with Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman. Enjoy!
What initially attracted you to your roles on the show? What stood out to you?
Malin Akerman: How could I not be drawn to Margo Banks? She’s such a fun, wild, and free-spirited character with a vast and dynamic arc. I was thrilled to play someone so multidimensional. I was fortunate to receive all eight episodes at once, which is rare. Usually, you only get the first episode and have to guess where the character might go. Having the full story made it impossible to pass on this role — it was just too compelling.
Brittany Snow: I felt the same way. Reading all the episodes allowed me to witness Sophie’s full transformation — how she regains her strength over time. At the start, she seems one way, and you wouldn’t expect her to have such resilience, but she earns it throughout the series. I love playing characters who serve as the audience’s eyes, offering a curious and engaged perspective. Sophie is a perfect entry point into this wild, salacious world because she learns alongside the viewers. Both characters are nuanced — neither purely good nor bad, but a mix of everything in between. That complexity is what draws me to a role.
Were you familiar with the book before taking the role? Did you read it, and what did you learn about your character from it?
Malin: I hadn’t heard of the book before receiving the script, but now I’m a big fan of May Cobb. My first impression was of Rebecca Cutter’s script, which is excellent. After finishing the scripts, I read the book, which offers a different writing style but complements the show well. It was fascinating to read May Cobb’s vivid and titillating descriptions. Having the original material is always helpful for character development — it gave me an extra layer to explore.
Brittany: I wasn’t aware of the book beforehand, which is surprising since it fits perfectly within my preferred genre — murder mysteries are my go-to. Like Malin, I read the scripts first and then the book. I’m glad I did it in that order because the show takes some liberties, so fans of the book might be surprised. The book served as a blueprint, but we made the story our own. Reading it helped me understand Sophie better and fill in gaps when developing her character. Having the book was definitely a valuable resource.
Malin, your character Margo is seductive, mysterious, and manipulative. How did you prepare to portray such complexity?
Malin: Honestly, I just bring myself [laughs]. But it’s really a team effort. I had many conversations with Rebecca, May, and the producers to understand their vision and what they hoped I would bring. For me, it’s about the character’s intention in each scene — what she needs and wants. We had the Texan accent, wig, costumes, and the world of the show to help immerse ourselves. But ultimately, it’s about understanding what drives Margo, where she’s coming from, and where she’s headed. I aimed to keep her grounded so she wouldn’t become a caricature. That balance between wildness and authenticity is crucial because if it’s not rooted in reality, it loses impact. I hope I conveyed her survival instincts and the importance of certain scenes to her.
Brittany, your character is drawn into a world of secrets and social games. What was the most challenging or surprising aspect of stepping into that world?
Brittany: Playing the duality of curiosity and naivety was challenging — making Sophie interesting without seeming foolish. As an actor, you want to be open and nonjudgmental but also keep the audience engaged. It would be a very different show if Sophie were just a clueless girl who passively accepted everything. Instead, she processes information intelligently while still being somewhat naive and vulnerable. She gains more confidence as the show progresses, and that journey was important to portray so viewers would root for her and her growth.
What do you think Sophie truly seeks from the Hunting Wives? Is it belonging, escape, or something else?
Brittany: Sophie has lost touch with who she is as a woman. Throughout the series, we learn about events that stripped away her identity, both socially and personally. When she sees these women, who are bold and free in their choices, she’s drawn to that freedom. She wants to reclaim ownership of herself, both emotionally and sexually. That desire is what pulls her into the group.
The dynamic between Sophie and Margo is intense and electric. How did you two build that on-screen tension?
Malin: You don’t get to choose your acting partner, so I feel lucky to have Brittany. We connected quickly and remain friends. We enjoyed spending time together on and off set. When you like and respect your partner, the work becomes easier. We had a lot of fun preparing for scenes, sometimes giggling like schoolgirls before shooting. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else. I hope the chemistry we shared translates on screen because we definitely felt it during filming.
What was it like working in that environment, especially with the accents and culture? How was it to immerse yourself in the Texas world?
Malin: The accent was a lot of fun and helped me get into character. It distances you from yourself a bit, and we had a great dialect coach. Texas itself feels like another character in the show — big and unapologetic — which suits the story perfectly. For Brittany’s character, stepping into that world is initially intimidating, but as the story progresses, she warms up to it and finds it enjoyable.
We thank Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow for their time. All eight episodes of The Hunting Wives will be available on Netflix in the US starting July 21st.
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