The Hunting Wives, a highly anticipated American drama series based on the bestselling novel by May Cobb, is all set to premiere on Netflix on July 21, 2025. This series, with its thrilling blend of secrets, obsession, and murder, has already drawn comparisons to Big Little Lies, albeit with a distinctive Texas twist.
Sophie O’Neil, the story’s main character, relocates from the East Coast to a small town in East Texas. She quickly gets caught up in the lives of a group of wealthy women who are very attractive and led by the mysterious and powerful Margo Banks. With a stellar cast including Dermot Mulroney, Chrissy Metz, and Jaime Ray Newman, the series blends themes of friendship, seduction, and dark secrets with a political twist unique to the TV adaptation.
While the story is set in East Texas, most of the filming for The Hunting Wives took place in North Carolina. Let’s take a closer look at the real filming locations used in the show. (Shared by NetFilming)
Where Was The Hunting Wives Filmed?
Although the story is set in East Texas, the production team selected North Carolina to achieve a small-town atmosphere. Here’s a breakdown of the primary filming locations:
1. Lake Norman – Azalea Retreat, Sherrills Ford, NC
One of the primary filming locations was the Azalea Retreat – The Lodge in Sherrills Ford. This luxurious lakeside log cabin sits peacefully on the “quiet side” of Lake Norman, offering scenic views, natural beauty, and the perfect setting for some of the show’s most intimate and dramatic moments.
Located about 46 miles north of Charlotte, this private retreat covers two acres and boasts 150 feet of shoreline, giving the production team both space and privacy. The location perfectly matched the secluded and mysterious atmosphere the story needed.
Trivia:
Lake Norman has also served as a filming spot for parts of the series Homeland and The Bachelorette, thanks to its calm water views and upscale lakeside homes.
2. Mooresville, North Carolina
The charming downtown Mooresville area was turned into the fictional town of Maple Brook, Texas. Production crews redesigned shopfronts, hung Texas state flags, and added fictional signage to reflect the look and feel of a small East Texas town. Even Maple Brook’s Town Hall scenes were filmed here.
Mooresville is known as “Race City USA”, thanks to its ties to NASCAR and motorsports. It’s located on the eastern side of Lake Norman, around 25 miles from Charlotte, and is one of the fastest-growing communities in the region.
Trivia:
Mooresville has been featured in multiple racing documentaries and was also a filming location for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby starring Will Ferrell.
3. Falcon Trail Trailhead – Richfield, NC
Some outdoor scenes in The Hunting Wives were filmed at the Falcon Trail Trailhead in Richfield, North Carolina. This scenic trailhead is part of the Carolina Thread Trail network and provided the natural backdrop for several key outdoor scenes in the series.
This location includes agricultural views, tree-lined paths, and a peaceful atmosphere, which allowed for a pleasing contrast to the intense drama unfolding in the story. It’s about 45 miles northeast of Charlotte and just 15 miles from Mooresville.
Trivia:
The nearby Morrow Mountain State Park, not far from Richfield, has been a favorite spot for indie film shoots and student film projects thanks to its panoramic mountain views and trails.
4. Charlotte, North Carolina & Surrounding Areas
Additional scenes were filmed in Charlotte, especially in areas like South End, Dilworth, and nearby neighbourhoods. Local cafes, urban homes, and boutique venues were adapted to fit various indoor and outdoor scenes.
Charlotte’s diverse locations offered the flexibility to capture everything from upscale gatherings to secret meetings, matching the show’s dramatic tone.
Trivia:
Charlotte has become a major filming hub over the years. Popular shows like The Righteous Gemstones and films like The Hunger Games were also shot in and around the city.
Production Timeline
Filming starts in mid-March 2024 and finishes in mid-July 2024. Here’s a quick look at the production schedule for The Hunting Wives:
| Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Pre-Production | January – March 2024 |
| Filming Begins | Mid-March 2024 |
| Filming Ends | Mid-July 2024 |
| Post-Production | July – October 2024 |
| Netflix Release Date | July 21, 2025 |
Throughout this timeline, North Carolina served as the full-time backdrop, with local crews transforming neighborhoods, signage, and storefronts into a believable version of East Texas.
The Hunting Wives Behind The Scenes
Filming took place in different parts of North Carolina, with each location carefully chosen to capture the charm and hidden darkness of East Texas.
According to series director Tara Miele, “We didn’t want the show to feel overly polished. The raw beauty of these North Carolina locations gave us exactly what we needed—something authentic but cinematic.”
Brittany Snow, who plays Sophie, shared in an interview, “Filming in Mooresville and by Lake Norman helped me get into character. The quiet and calm of the surroundings made Sophie’s emotional journey feel even more real.”
Producer Nicole Tossou also mentioned that the production team worked closely with local businesses to transform real neighborhoods into Maple Brook, adding, “We wanted the world to feel lived-in, not like a set.”
The Hunting Wives Official Trailer
Keep an eye on NetFilming for more updates on your favorite shows and their filming locations!
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 Netflix series, including Lake Norman, Mooresville, and Charlotte, North Carolina.){kind=link}