7 Shocking Filming Secrets: Where Was 'The Hunting Wives' Really Filmed?

The psychological thriller series The Hunting Wives, which has captivated audiences since its premiere on Netflix, presents a glamorous yet sinister world set deep in the heart of East Texas. However, as of December 10, 2025, the biggest secret surrounding the show isn't the identity of Abby’s killer, but the fact that the fictional, privileged town of Maple Brook, Texas, doesn't actually exist—at least not where you think it does. The entire eight-episode series was a masterful illusion, shot far from the Lone Star State.

The truth is that the opulent homes, the secluded lakefront properties, and the small-town charm that define the show’s atmosphere were all meticulously captured in the lush landscapes of North Carolina. The production team transformed several key cities and towns in the Tar Heel State into the perfect backdrop for the twisted drama, using locations near Charlotte and the surrounding area to double for the Texan setting described in the May Cobb novel.

The Great Deception: Why Texas Was Replaced by North Carolina

The premise of The Hunting Wives, based on the 2021 novel by author May Cobb, is deeply rooted in the culture and atmosphere of East Texas, specifically drawing inspiration from Cobb's own experiences growing up in Tyler, Texas. The fictional town of Maple Brook is meant to evoke the wealthy, insular communities of the Piney Woods region.

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Despite this strong Texan foundation, the series production team ultimately chose North Carolina as the primary and exclusive filming location. This decision is common in the television industry, often driven by factors such as film tax incentives, the availability of diverse and suitable locations, and a robust local crew base. North Carolina provided the perfect blend of small-town architecture, dense natural beauty, and stunning lakefront scenery needed to convincingly portray the wealthy enclave of Maple Brook.

The North Carolina Hotspots: Key Filming Locations Explored

To create the world of Sophie O'Neil (Brittany Snow) and Margo Banks (Malin Åkerman), the production utilized a variety of real-life locations across North Carolina, primarily focusing on the area surrounding Charlotte. These sites were crucial in bringing the psychological thriller’s high-stakes drama to life.

Mooresville: The Heart of Maple Brook

The quaint, yet upscale, downtown area of Mooresville, North Carolina, was the primary location used to represent the fictional Maple Brook, Texas.

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• Downtown Mooresville: The small-town aesthetic, complete with its local businesses and historic architecture, was perfect for establishing the community where the Hunting Wives' drama unfolds.
• Local Businesses: Various local establishments in Mooresville were temporarily transformed into the show's settings, providing authentic backdrops for key scenes.

Lake Norman: The Secluded Luxury of the Hunting Wives

The lakefront setting is critical to the show's atmosphere, representing both the natural beauty and the isolation of the wealthy community. Lake Norman, one of the state's largest man-made lakes, provided the perfect backdrop for the wives' opulent homes and secretive gatherings.

• Azalea Retreat: This specific location on Lake Norman was used for some of the most dramatic lake-based scenes.
• Cornelius: A luxurious lakefront home on Nantz Road in Cornelius, a town on Lake Norman, was reportedly used as a key residence, likely the home of one of the main characters, such as Margo Banks.

Charlotte and Greater Mecklenburg County: Urban and Suburban Settings

As the largest metropolitan area nearby, Charlotte, North Carolina, often referred to as the "Queen City," served as the central hub for the production.

• Production Base: Charlotte provided the necessary infrastructure, studios, and crew for the series, which filmed from March to June 2024.
• Suburban Opulence: The affluent suburbs of Charlotte, with their large, modern homes, were ideal for depicting the luxurious lifestyles of the Hunting Wives.

The Wilderness: Richfield and Falcon Trail

For the scenes requiring a sense of deep woods, nature, and the psychological isolation that permeates the thriller, the production ventured slightly outside the main metro area.

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• Richfield, NC: This area provided the more rural, wooded settings needed for the show's suspenseful outdoor sequences.
• Falcon Trail Trailhead: This location was utilized to capture the natural beauty and rugged terrain that often contrasts with the characters' polished lives.

Topical Authority: Key Entities and Cast of the Netflix Series

The success of the series, which is a faithful adaptation of the May Cobb novel, lies not only in its atmospheric locations but also in its stellar cast and the complex characters they portray. The following entities were central to the show’s production and narrative, further cementing the topical authority of the project.

Core Cast and Characters

• Brittany Snow as Sophie O'Neil: The newcomer and protagonist who moves back to East Texas (Mooresville, NC) and becomes entangled with the group.
• Malin Åkerman as Margo Banks: The magnetic, manipulative leader of the Hunting Wives, whose influence drives the plot.
• Dermot Mulroney as Jed Banks: Margo's powerful and influential husband.
• Evan Jonigkeit as Graham O'Neil: Sophie's ambitious husband.
• Madison Wolfe as Abby: The young woman whose death is the central mystery of the series.
• Chosen Jacobs as Jamie: A key supporting character in the mystery.

The Literary and Production Entities

• Author: May Cobb, whose 2021 novel provided the source material.
• Fictional Town: Maple Brook, Texas.
• Inspiration: Tyler, Texas, the author's hometown.
• Network: Netflix, the streaming platform that premiered the eight-episode drama series.
• Genre: Psychological Thriller / Drama.

The Impact of North Carolina's Landscape on The Hunting Wives

The choice to film The Hunting Wives entirely in North Carolina was a stroke of genius that elevated the show’s visual storytelling. The state’s diverse environment—from the manicured lawns and opulent homes of Charlotte's suburbs to the dense, moody forests surrounding Lake Norman—perfectly mirrored the duality of the plot.

The production successfully used the natural beauty of the Tar Heel State to create a sense of both idyllic perfection and claustrophobic isolation. This contrast is essential to the psychological thriller genre, where the beautiful surface hides a dark, dangerous secret. The next time you watch Sophie O'Neil navigate the treacherous social landscape of Maple Brook, remember that the "East Texas" she’s in is actually a carefully curated collection of North Carolina’s most stunning and versatile locations.