How Netflix’s Hunting Wives Compares to the Book: Similarities and Differences
Netflix’s The Hunting Wives draws inspiration from a novel, but just how faithful is it to the original story?
In an exclusive chat with Us Weekly during the Motion Picture & Television Fund NextGen Annual Summer Party, actress Katie Lowes provided a sneak peek of the “very sexy” summer series.
“There are many parallels to the book, and then there are differences,” she hinted. “But May Cobb — the author of the book — was present on set with us all the time.”
Lowes, 42, fondly shared how she received Cobb’s “blessing in many ways,” adding, “She’s thrilled about it. If you’ve read the book, you know it serves as fantastic material for water cooler discussions. It’s wonderful.”
The Hunting Wives, set to debut on July 21, follows a woman who “relocates to a small East Texas town with her family and becomes enchanted” by a well-known socialite. As she engages with a group of affluent housewives, the newcomer “descends into a whirlwind of obsession, seduction, and murder.”
Alongside Lowes, who portrays Jill, The Hunting Wives features Malin Akerman, Brittany Snow, Dermot Mulroney, Evan Jonigkeit, Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, and George Ferrier.
Lowes isn’t the only one exciting the audience about the show; Snow, 39, previously teased plenty of twists along the way.
“I’m currently in North Carolina filming,” Snow shared with MovieWeb in April 2024. “I believe viewers will be genuinely surprised by how smooth, seductive, and thrilling this show is.”
She added: “This experience is distinct from anything I’ve encountered before and is pushing my boundaries in an exciting way, as my character undergoes significant transformation. There are numerous scenes throughout the series, and the cast is outstanding.”
Cobb, 52, shared insights into her journey of writing the book.
“I completed the first half in roughly four months. The idea had been in my mind for about a year, so I had prepared a basic outline and key plot points. However, I didn’t uncover the identity of the murderer until I reached the halfway mark,” she told Fiction Writers Review in 2021. “It involved a lot of problem-solving, but it was an enjoyable process.”
Cobb described The Hunting Wives as a “good escape.” “I’ve received a lot of positive feedback, but I’ve also encountered some critical reviews where people express their disdain for the characters. Some reactions are quite extreme,” she commented. “Then there are many negative critiques regarding the women’s choices, and I wonder, ‘Is that why you read fiction — to agree with the characters?’ The ongoing discussion about likable female characters fascinates me.”
The Hunting Wives premieres on July 21, 2025, on Netflix.
