The Real-Life Filming Locations Of The Hunting Wives: Why The 'Texas' Thriller Was Shot In North Carolina

The Netflix series The Hunting Wives, a salacious thriller based on the novel by May Cobb, has captivated audiences with its depiction of wealthy, secretive women in a small Texas town, but the reality of its production is far removed from the Lone Star State. As of December 2025, the most current and unique detail about the series is that the fictional world of Maple Brook, Texas, was brought to life almost entirely in the picturesque and diverse landscapes of North Carolina. This strategic decision by the production team allowed them to capture the perfect blend of lush, secluded nature and upscale, small-town charm needed for the high-stakes drama, with filming for the first season taking place between March and June 2024.

The choice to film in the Charlotte, North Carolina, metropolitan area—rather than the East Texas setting of the original book—is a common practice in Hollywood, often driven by production incentives, crew availability, and the ability to find a variety of looks within a short driving distance. The series, which follows the newly relocated Sophie O'Neil as she falls in with a dangerous group of elite local women, leveraged North Carolina's natural beauty, particularly its stunning lakefront properties and quaint downtown areas, to create the opulent yet claustrophobic atmosphere of Maple Brook.

The Central Cast and Their Fictional Roles in Maple Brook

The series is driven by a stellar ensemble cast who embody the complex, often dark, personalities of the Maple Brook elite. Understanding who plays whom is essential to appreciating the show's intense dynamic, which revolves around the magnetic pull between the newcomer and the powerful social group. This list serves as a quick biographical guide to the main characters and the talented actors who portray them:

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• Brittany Snow as Sophie O'Neil: The protagonist and newcomer to Maple Brook. Sophie moves to the small Texas town with her family and quickly becomes obsessed with Margo Banks, leading her down a perilous path. Snow is known for her roles in the Pitch Perfect franchise and Hairspray.
• Malin Åkerman as Margo Banks: The enigmatic and powerful leader of the titular "Hunting Wives." Margo is the queen bee of the social scene, whose glamorous facade hides dark secrets. Åkerman is recognized for her work in Watchmen and Billions.
• Dermot Mulroney as Jed Banks: Margo's husband, a prominent and influential figure in the community whose relationship with his wife is as complicated as it is powerful. Mulroney's extensive career includes roles in My Best Friend's Wedding and Shameless.
• Evan Jonigkeit as Graham O'Neil: Sophie's husband, who is trying to build a new life for his family but struggles with Sophie's growing obsession with Margo and the group. Jonigkeit has appeared in X-Men: Days of Future Past and Archive 81.
• Chrissy Metz: A key member of the social circle, though her specific character name and role details often remain under wraps to maintain the show's mystery. Metz is best known for her Emmy-nominated role on This Is Us.
• Jaime Ray Newman as Callie: Another member of the Hunting Wives group, who contributes to the intricate web of small-town gossip, alliances, and betrayals.
• George Ferrier as Brad: A younger, relevant entity in the series whose presence adds to the central mystery and drama.

Unmasking the North Carolina Filming Hotspots

The production team utilized the diverse geography around the Charlotte metropolitan area to convincingly stand in for the affluent, lake-adjacent community of East Texas. The key to the show's visual success lies in how seamlessly these North Carolina locations were transformed into the world of Maple Brook.

The Suburban Charm of Downtown Mooresville

One of the most frequently cited filming locations is Downtown Mooresville, North Carolina. This area was likely used to capture the essence of Maple Brook’s small-town life—the local shops, cafes, and main street where the wealthy residents would interact and, more importantly, gossip. Mooresville, known as "Race City USA" due to its proximity to NASCAR teams, offers a classic American small-town backdrop that can easily be adapted to represent a fictional Texas community. The architecture and atmosphere provide the perfect contrast to the lavish, secluded lake homes, highlighting the two-faced nature of the town's elite.

The Luxurious Seclusion of Lake Norman

The most crucial element in the show's setting is the lakefront environment, which is central to the Hunting Wives' lifestyle and the plot's secretive activities. For this, the production turned to Lake Norman, a massive man-made lake north of Charlotte. Specific locations around the lake were utilized, including the area known as Azalea Retreat at Lake Norman. This luxurious setting served as a key backdrop for the group’s exclusive weekend getaways and secretive meetings, providing the necessary visual shorthand for opulence and isolation. The expensive homes and wooded shorelines along Lake Norman perfectly mirrored the kind of secluded, high-end real estate that would define the lives of the Banks and O'Neil families in Maple Brook.

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Natural Trails and Secluded Wilderness

The series, being a thriller, requires scenes of tension, pursuit, and hidden meetings, often set in dense, natural environments. The production reportedly used the Falcon Trail Trailhead, suggesting that the surrounding wooded areas and hiking paths were utilized for scenes that take place away from the prying eyes of the town. This location helps establish the "hunting" aspect of the group—not just for sport, but for secrets and power—and contrasts sharply with the manicured lawns of the lake houses.

Topical Authority: The Book, The Adaptation, and The Production Timeline

The success and location scouting of the series are directly tied to its source material, the 2021 novel The Hunting Wives by author May Cobb. Cobb's novel is a domestic thriller that delves into the dark underbelly of female friendships, murder, and the mysteries surrounding wealth and sexuality in a small East Texas town.

The show's move from Texas to North Carolina for filming is a testament to the versatility of the Charlotte area in standing in for various American settings. The production timeline itself highlights the show's current relevance and fresh status:

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• Source Material: The novel The Hunting Wives by May Cobb was published in 2021.
• Season 1 Production: Filming for the first season of the Netflix series took place in the Charlotte, NC, area between March and June 2024. This rapid turnaround ensures the series has a contemporary and up-to-date look and feel.
• Genre and Tone: The series is officially classified as a drama and a salacious thriller, focusing on themes of social climbing, murder investigation, and the dark secrets of the wealthy.
• Future Production: The series' longevity is already secured, as Season 2 is officially in production, once again utilizing the Charlotte, North Carolina, locations. This confirms the region's continued importance as the primary setting for the world of The Hunting Wives.

The seamless transition of the story from the fictional Maple Brook, Texas, to the real-life suburbs and lakefronts of North Carolina is a key production detail that enhances the show's atmosphere. The Charlotte area, with its mix of modern luxury and secluded natural beauty, provided the perfect canvas for this story of secrets, murder, and the dangerous games played by the elite "Hunting Wives."