Netflix’s series The Hunting Wives finally gives the streaming service a rival to HBO’s hit murder mystery, Big Little Lies. Since Big Little Lies‘ release in 2017, the psychological murder mystery genre has become exponentially more popular, thanks in part to the award-winning series starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.
Big Little Lies and shows like it popularized the focus on wealthy, seemingly perfect women with dark secrets within mystery shows, and The Hunting Wives certainly feels like a continuation of that trend. Given the increasing popularly of that genre now, it is unsurprising that Netflix’s series was a huge hit and serves as a fitting Big Little Lies replacement.
The Hunting Wives Is Very Reminiscent Of HBO’s Big Little Lies
Netflix’s new hit thriller series, The Hunting Wives, is a great follow-up to HBO’s Big Little Lies. While The Hunting Wives is undeniably even sexier and raunchier than Big Little Lies, the two series certainly appeal to the same audiences. With just eight episodes, The Hunting Wives is the perfect weekend binge.
Like Big Little Lies, The Hunting Wives begins with the introduction of a new woman to a tight-knit community. In this case, it is Brittany Snow’s Sophie O’Neil, a Bostonian who is immediately out of place in her new, wealthy Texas setting. However, she is quickly brought into the fold by a gun-toting group of housewives.
This set-up in itself is already quite similar to the beginning of Big Little Lies, but their connection is only further enhanced by the secretly messy lives of each of the women in the group. From affairs, to problems with their teenage children, to secret, violent pasts, the women of The Hunting Wives rival the Monterey Five.
Even the pacing and plotting of the two shows are similar. The crime is shown first, and it is only later that audiences learn the identities of the victim and killer. Arguably, the murder mystery in The Hunting Wives is darker and more twisted than that of Big Little Lies, but that only makes it more fun to watch unfold.
The Hunting Wives’ Success Could Repeat Big Little Lies’ Exciting Series Change
Both The Hunting Wives and Big Little Lies were based on the books of the same name by May Cobb and Liane Moriarty, respectively. Because it had a set amount of source material, Big Little Lies was initially meant to be a limited series for HBO, but its popularity ultimately led to the show being renewed for a second season.
There are even discussions about Big Little Lies returning for season 3 still. Given how popular The Hunting Wives became after its release, it could end up following the same path and returning for another season on Netflix. Despite having the same issue of extending beyond its source material, there are plenty of stories left for the series to tell.
The Hunting Wives cleverly straddles the line of following its source material’s path and deviating in strategic places that allow for another season. In fact, the series even changes the identity of the killer, meaning that even those who have read the book will be surprised by the show’s impressive twists and turns.
The Hunting Wives
- Release Date
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July 21, 2025
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Julie Anne Robinson
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Brittany Snow
Sophie O’Neill
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Malin Akerman
Margo Banks
