Netflix’s steamy new thriller The Hunting Wives has become a surprise summer hit — dominating conversations with its scandal, secrets, and betrayal.
A Season 2 renewal could do more than continue the drama: it might also solve one of Netflix’s biggest problems — turning hidden gems into true breakout successes.

👉 All eyes are now on whether the hit will officially return.

Sophie looks upset in The Hunting Wives

Netflix’s new erotic thriller series The Hunting Wives has been a surprise summer hit for the streaming service, and if Netflix were to renew the series for a second season it could help counter a big streaming problem. Netflix’s catalog includes some great shows, but very few find the success they deserve.

Too often, original shows are overshadowed by bigger returning shows, meaning many Netflix series are canceled before reaching their full potential. Even after The Hunting Wives topped Netflix’s streaming charts, its fate is still unclear, but another season of the erotic thriller might be exactly what Netflix needs.

The Hunting Wives Is A Huge Success For Netflix

Margo hugs Sophe as she holds a gun in The Hunting Wives season 1

Shortly after its release, The Hunting Wives became a huge success on the streaming service. While the series is not currently available in every location, it has clearly resonated with American audiences. The Hunting Wives remained atop Netflix’s charts for weeks before being overtaken by returning teen mystery series Wednesday.

While Netflix does have a lot of miniseries and original shows that can crack the top 10 and even the top five, The Hunting Wives remaining at number one for so long proves just how lucky Netflix got with the series. The erotic thriller is a unique addition to Netflix and one that is worth checking out for adult audiences.

The Hunting Wives is based on the book of the same name by May Cobb, and it centers on a group of wealthy housewives in East Texas who have numerous secrets that they struggle to keep suppressed. When newcomer Sophie O’Neil joins their circle, she is immediately taken by their leader, Margo Banks.

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As the series progresses, Margo and Sophie begin to learn each other’s dark secrets and form an obsessive bond. The Hunting Wives is able to explore complex sexual relationships and hidden feelings. At the same time, the series winds a compelling murder mystery with numerous suspects and a shocking conclusion.

In short, The Hunting Wives doesn’t give viewers much downtime. Each scene is layered with complex dynamics, from lust to jealousy. What’s more, The Hunting Wives‘ ending leaves room for the series to continue on. While Netflix has not renewed the series yet, its success creates a strong reasoning for season 2.

There Is Nothing Quite Like The Erotic Thriller Series, And That’s Great

Malin Akerman and Dermot Mulroney smiling in The Hunting Wives

The premise of The Hunting Wives alone is likely enough to grab the attention of a lot of viewers, so it does make sense that it became so popular. This success was also likely aided by the fact that there is nothing else on Netflix that is quite like The Hunting Wives, and that’s a huge deal for the streamer.

There are a lot of great murder mystery shows out there. Netflix itself has experienced a lot of success in the genre recently. The dark miniseries Adolescence proved the streamer could create a compelling crime drama to rival the best of any streaming service. The recently renewed Dept. Q and Untamed likewise thrilled crime drama audiences.

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Even the teen series Wednesday is a fun take on the murder mystery genre, but none of these shows are anything like The Hunting Wives. The series has notes of both the erotic thriller films of the 1990s and soapy TV dramas like Desperate Housewives, but it stands alone among Netflix’s original series.

The Hunting Wives Trailer



3:03

The Hunting Wives is completely committed to being exactly what it is: a fun, raunchy time that is sure to leave viewers entertained and even wanting more. In other words, where some crime and mystery shows can start to blend together, The Hunting Wives is distinct.

Netflix has something original and identifiable on their hands that audiences have responded really well to. While some viewers have been surprised by the show’s explicit nature, its content is a big talking point that could continue to garner attention for the show and, by extension, Netflix going forward should they choose to renew.

The Series Will Need To Get Around Some Big Challenges In Season 2

Sophie looks upset in The Hunting Wives

Just because The Hunting Wives was a win for Netflix following season 1, that does not mean that the series wouldn’t face challenges going into future seasons. In fact, because the show is based on May Cobb’s standalone book, season 2 could lok completely different.

Without the source material to build on, The Hunting Wives‘ creator Rebecca Cutter will have to start from scratch with the season’s story. Despite not having been renewed for season 2 yet, though, Cutter has already revealed that she has ideas for The Hunting Wives season 2.

Luckily, and perhaps out of anticipation of a potential season 2, Cutter and her team did make some significant changes from the book, leaving opportunities open to continue the story. Most significantly, The Hunting Wives changes the identity of the killer and the decisions Sophie and Margo make after the reveal.

Because not all the threads are tied up by the season’s ending, Cutter shared that The Hunting Wives season 2 could explore where Margo and Sophie are at in their complicated relationship and create another murder mystery. Since season 1 included a few deaths, Cutter also stated that season 2 could introduce new characters.

Rebecca Cutter’s ideas for season 2 do sound promising, but Netflix has to avoid the early cancellation in order to make it happen. While the completely new story could be a bit of a gamble, if The Hunting Wives can maintain the fun, sexy tone and intriguing mystery of season 1, then it could continue to be a success.

Too often, original shows are overshadowed by bigger returning shows, meaning many Netflix series are canceled before reaching their full potential. Even after The Hunting Wives topped Netflix’s streaming charts, its fate is still unclear, but another season of the erotic thriller might be exactly what Netflix needs.

The Hunting Wives Is A Huge Success For Netflix

Margo hugs Sophe as she holds a gun in The Hunting Wives season 1

Shortly after its release, The Hunting Wives became a huge success on the streaming service. While the series is not currently available in every location, it has clearly resonated with American audiences. The Hunting Wives remained atop Netflix’s charts for weeks before being overtaken by returning teen mystery series Wednesday.

While Netflix does have a lot of miniseries and original shows that can crack the top 10 and even the top five, The Hunting Wives remaining at number one for so long proves just how lucky Netflix got with the series. The erotic thriller is a unique addition to Netflix and one that is worth checking out for adult audiences.

The Hunting Wives is based on the book of the same name by May Cobb, and it centers on a group of wealthy housewives in East Texas who have numerous secrets that they struggle to keep suppressed. When newcomer Sophie O’Neil joins their circle, she is immediately taken by their leader, Margo Banks.

✕Remove Ads

As the series progresses, Margo and Sophie begin to learn each other’s dark secrets and form an obsessive bond. The Hunting Wives is able to explore complex sexual relationships and hidden feelings. At the same time, the series winds a compelling murder mystery with numerous suspects and a shocking conclusion.

In short, The Hunting Wives doesn’t give viewers much downtime. Each scene is layered with complex dynamics, from lust to jealousy. What’s more, The Hunting Wives‘ ending leaves room for the series to continue on. While Netflix has not renewed the series yet, its success creates a strong reasoning for season 2.

There Is Nothing Quite Like The Erotic Thriller Series, And That’s Great

Malin Akerman and Dermot Mulroney smiling in The Hunting Wives

The premise of The Hunting Wives alone is likely enough to grab the attention of a lot of viewers, so it does make sense that it became so popular. This success was also likely aided by the fact that there is nothing else on Netflix that is quite like The Hunting Wives, and that’s a huge deal for the streamer.

There are a lot of great murder mystery shows out there. Netflix itself has experienced a lot of success in the genre recently. The dark miniseries Adolescence proved the streamer could create a compelling crime drama to rival the best of any streaming service. The recently renewed Dept. Q and Untamed likewise thrilled crime drama audiences.

✕Remove Ads

Even the teen series Wednesday is a fun take on the murder mystery genre, but none of these shows are anything like The Hunting Wives. The series has notes of both the erotic thriller films of the 1990s and soapy TV dramas like Desperate Housewives, but it stands alone among Netflix’s original series.

The Hunting Wives Trailer



3:03

The Hunting Wives is completely committed to being exactly what it is: a fun, raunchy time that is sure to leave viewers entertained and even wanting more. In other words, where some crime and mystery shows can start to blend together, The Hunting Wives is distinct.

Netflix has something original and identifiable on their hands that audiences have responded really well to. While some viewers have been surprised by the show’s explicit nature, its content is a big talking point that could continue to garner attention for the show and, by extension, Netflix going forward should they choose to renew.

The Series Will Need To Get Around Some Big Challenges In Season 2

Sophie looks upset in The Hunting Wives

Just because The Hunting Wives was a win for Netflix following season 1, that does not mean that the series wouldn’t face challenges going into future seasons. In fact, because the show is based on May Cobb’s standalone book, season 2 could lok completely different.

Without the source material to build on, The Hunting Wives‘ creator Rebecca Cutter will have to start from scratch with the season’s story. Despite not having been renewed for season 2 yet, though, Cutter has already revealed that she has ideas for The Hunting Wives season 2.

Luckily, and perhaps out of anticipation of a potential season 2, Cutter and her team did make some significant changes from the book, leaving opportunities open to continue the story. Most significantly, The Hunting Wives changes the identity of the killer and the decisions Sophie and Margo make after the reveal.

Because not all the threads are tied up by the season’s ending, Cutter shared that The Hunting Wives season 2 could explore where Margo and Sophie are at in their complicated relationship and create another murder mystery. Since season 1 included a few deaths, Cutter also stated that season 2 could introduce new characters.

Rebecca Cutter’s ideas for season 2 do sound promising, but Netflix has to avoid the early cancellation in order to make it happen. While the completely new story could be a bit of a gamble, if The Hunting Wives can maintain the fun, sexy tone and intriguing mystery of season 1, then it could continue to be a success.