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Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow weigh in on Season 2 hopes
Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow arrived at the Creative Arts Emmys this weekend not just as presenters but as two of the most visible faces of The Hunting Wives, the sultry Texas drama that quietly became a Netflix phenomenon. Speaking to reporters, Akerman said the cast is “asking the same questions” fans are: will there be a second season? Both she and Snow described a mix of realistic caution and genuine optimism — positive audience feedback has poured in, but an official renewal remains pending.
Where the show stands: negotiations and the Netflix hurdle
Behind the scenes, the path to Season 2 is complicated. Deadline recently reported that Lionsgate is in advanced talks with Netflix about making the show a Netflix original. That conversion would require Lionsgate to secure global streaming rights from various international buyers who currently hold local licenses — a common but thorny obstacle when a series originally sells territory-by-territory. Until those rights are consolidated, the show can’t be commissioned as a true Netflix-produced series for a global audience, which is a practical necessity for many streamers when greenlighting further seasons.
How a low-key launch turned into a breakout hit
Originally developed for Starz, The Hunting Wives landed on Netflix through a one-year U.S. licensing deal with Lionsgate and premiered on July 21. What followed defied the usual playbook: with little promotional fanfare and a Monday release, the series climbed into Netflix’s U.S. Top 10 for six straight weeks, including time at No. 1, and spent its first five weeks in the Global Top 10 despite not being available in many overseas territories. That organic momentum — driven largely by word of mouth and social conversation — is one reason Lionsgate and Netflix are taking the renewal talks seriously.
Fan reaction: polarized, passionate, unavoidable
One of the show's most notable features is how polarized the reaction has been. Akerman embraced that polarity. “I really like that people are passionate about it, whether they love it or hate it,” she told reporters. The show’s adult themes and frank depictions of desire and revenge sparked online debates, memes, and thinkpieces — precisely the kind of cultural noise that can keep a series trending beyond week-one viewers.
Comparisons and context: Where it fits in the streaming landscape
The Hunting Wives slots into a broader trend of glossy, adult-oriented ensemble dramas about secret lives and social performance — think Big Little Lies, Why Women Kill, and even elements of Desperate Housewives. Where it differs is tonal: its Texas setting, darkly comic edge and explicit, boundary-testing scenes gave it a more provocative profile. That blend of drama and provocation helped it find an audience hungry for series that mix prestige production values with a guilty-pleasure sensibility.
Cast, creators and career arcs
For Malin Akerman — who has navigated both film and television roles across genres — The Hunting Wives is a chance to lead a series that foregrounds complexity and provocation. Brittany Snow, familiar to many from the Pitch Perfect films and several TV roles, brings a layered presence that balances the show’s melodrama and satire. The series’ success has boosted visibility for its creators and production team, and it’s a reminder that licensed shows can find new life and scale on global platforms.
Trivia and behind-the-scenes highlights
Quick trivia: the series was not accompanied by a formal promotional push on Netflix — no widespread marketing blitz, no big release weekend — yet its placement in the Top 10 was largely fueled by organic discovery. That kind of breakout is a growing pattern in streaming, where algorithmic recommendation plus social media buzz can eclipse traditional ad campaigns.
Expert perspective
Film critic Anna Kovacs weighs in: “The Hunting Wives shows how modern streaming audiences reward boldness and tonal risk. It’s not just the shock value — the series couples striking visuals with deep character work, which is why viewers keep talking about it.”
What to watch next while renewal talks continue
If you liked The Hunting Wives’ mix of secrets and sharp satire, try Big Little Lies for a more prestige-leaning ensemble drama, or Why Women Kill for a similarly darkly comic take on suburban betrayal. For viewers tracking industry-side developments, the show is also a case study in how distribution rights and licensing shape what becomes a global streaming original.
Conclusion: Why the renewal matters beyond Season 2
Whether Netflix ultimately commissions Season 2, The Hunting Wives has already made a mark: it proved that modestly marketed shows can become global talking points, and it highlighted the practical complexities of converting a licensed hit into a platform original. For actors like Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow, the series has expanded their television credentials; for Lionsgate and Netflix, the negotiations underscore how crucial global streaming rights are in today’s industry. Fans can be hopeful — and vocal — because this is the kind of series where audience passion can still shift the business outcome.
Source: deadline
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