The Ultimate Guide To The Hunting Wives Filming Locations: Why The Netflix Thriller Isn't In Texas

The Netflix hit series, The Hunting Wives, has captivated audiences with its blend of psychological thriller and high-society drama, but one of the show's biggest mysteries isn't who committed the murder—it's where the series was actually filmed. Despite the entire narrative being set in the fictional, exclusive enclave of Maple Brook, Texas, the production team never once set foot in the Lone Star State.

As of the July 21, 2025 premiere, the series, based on the best-selling novel by May Cobb, has generated massive buzz, not just for its shocking plot twists, but for the luxurious and atmospheric backdrop of its filming locations. The entire eight-episode season was shot exclusively in the stunning, verdant landscapes of North Carolina, transforming the Charlotte metropolitan area into the dark heart of Texas's elite. This deep dive reveals the precise, real-life locations that brought the chilling story of Sophie O'Neil and Margo Banks to life.

The Hunting Wives: Key Cast and Production Entities

The success of the Netflix adaptation is driven by a stellar cast and a powerful production team. The following list details the core entities involved in bringing the psychological thriller from the page to the screen, providing topical authority and context for the series' backdrop:

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• Source Material: The novel The Hunting Wives (2021) by May Cobb.
• Lead Cast Members:
  • Brittany Snow as Sophie O'Neil
  • Malin Åkerman as Margo Banks
  • Dermot Mulroney as Jed Banks
  • Chrissy Metz (Character details undisclosed at time of filming)
  • Jaime Ray Newman as Callie
  • Evan Jonigkeit as Graham O'Neil
  • George Ferrier as Brad
• Original Network Development: The series was originally developed for the Starz network before being acquired by Netflix.
• Production Companies: Pleasingly Pulp, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Lionsgate Television.
• Showrunner: Rebecca Serle (known for her work on In Five Years).
• Filming Schedule: Principal photography took place from March to June 2024.

Unmasking Maple Brook: The North Carolina Filming Hub

The decision to film in North Carolina, rather than Texas, was a strategic one, likely influenced by the state's attractive film incentives and the diverse, high-end locations available in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The production successfully utilized the region's luxurious lakeside homes, charming downtown areas, and lush natural settings to create the look and feel of a wealthy, isolated Texas town.

The fictional town of Maple Brook, Texas, is meant to evoke the wealthy, established communities of East Texas, the region where author May Cobb grew up. However, the actual backdrop for the series is the "Queen City," a nickname for Charlotte, North Carolina, and its affluent surrounding suburbs.

The Queen City's Role: Charlotte and the Metropolitan Area

Charlotte, North Carolina, served as the primary production hub for The Hunting Wives. The city provided the necessary infrastructure and a variety of architectural styles to represent the upscale homes, offices, and exclusive clubs frequented by the show's elite characters.

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The crew spent several months utilizing different parts of the metro area. This allowed them to capture the contrast between the polished public life and the dark secrets hidden behind closed doors—a central theme of the psychological thriller.

Key areas around Charlotte were transformed into the Texas setting, including:

• Downtown Mooresville: This charming, historic town just north of Charlotte was used to film scenes depicting the more quaint, main-street aspects of Maple Brook. Mooresville's preserved architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the town's charming boutiques and diners.
• Falcon Trail Trailhead: This location hints at the more rugged, natural elements often seen in thrillers, likely used for scenes involving outdoor suspense or dramatic confrontations away from the polished society settings.

Azalea Retreat: The Real-Life Lakeside Home on Lake Norman

Perhaps the most prominent and recognizable filming location in The Hunting Wives is the luxurious lakeside property that serves as the central gathering point for the women's secretive group. This stunning location is not a set built in a studio, but a magnificent, real-life retreat on the shores of Lake Norman.

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The property is known as the Azalea Retreat at Lake Norman and is located in the town of Sherrills Ford, approximately 40 miles north of Charlotte.

The Luxury of Azalea Retreat

The Azalea Retreat is a sprawling, luxurious log cabin that features prominently in the series as the backdrop for the wives' weekend getaways and clandestine meetings. The home's opulent amenities and secluded location perfectly capture the exclusive, slightly sinister atmosphere required by the plot.

The property is a genuine luxury rental, available to the public for bookings, often exceeding $1,000 per night. This detail provides a fascinating connection for fans, allowing them to literally step into the world of the show. The choice of this specific, high-end location underscores the show's commitment to portraying the extravagant lifestyle of the wealthy Texas elite.

The Topical Authority: Why North Carolina Works for a Texas Thriller

The juxtaposition of the fictional Texas setting with the real North Carolina locations is a common practice in television production, but in the case of The Hunting Wives, it works to enhance the story's themes. The series is a "pleasingly pulp" psychological thriller that relies heavily on the aesthetic of Southern wealth and the secrets that lie beneath a polished veneer.

The areas around Lake Norman and Charlotte offer the perfect visual doubles for affluent East Texas. Both regions share a similar aesthetic of sprawling, modern Southern homes, lush greenery, and a strong sense of community that can easily be twisted into a claustrophobic, high-stakes environment.

By utilizing locations like Downtown Mooresville for small-town charm and the Azalea Retreat for lakeside opulence, the production team was able to create a world that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling. This careful selection of filming sites in the Charlotte metro area is a key element in the show's success, grounding the intense drama in a beautiful, yet increasingly menacing, reality.

For fans of the novel and the series, knowing that the secretive world of Maple Brook is, in fact, the vibrant, real-life region of North Carolina adds an extra layer of intrigue to the binge-watching experience. The show's success, which placed it in Netflix's Top 10 for weeks following its premiere, is a testament to the seamless transition from the novel's Texas roots to the stunning, cinematic backdrop of the Queen City.