As of August 26, 2025, Starz’s sultry thriller “The Hunting Wives” has exploded into a cultural phenomenon, racking up over 75 million viewing hours since its May 2025 premiere and igniting fierce debates about morality, power, and hidden sins in small-town Texas. Adapted from May Cobb’s bestselling novel and helmed by showrunner Rebecca Cutter, the eight-episode series stars Malin Åkerman as the enigmatic Margo Banks, a glamorous socialite whose polished facade hides a web of deception. But the season’s most explosive twist—revealed in the gripping finale—centers on Margo’s illicit affair and the cold-blooded murder it sparked, flipping viewer suspicions and delving into the dark underbelly of privilege and desperation. This isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a scorching examination of how far one woman will go to protect her empire, making “The Hunting Wives” a must-watch for fans of twisted psychological dramas like “Big Little Lies” or “Desperate Housewives” on steroids.

At the core of this bombshell is Margo, the queen bee of an elite hunting club in the affluent town of Mapleton, Texas. Portrayed with chilling charisma by Åkerman, Margo is married to Jed Banks (Dermot Mulroney), a wealthy oil magnate eyeing a gubernatorial run, and she’s the magnetic force drawing in newcomer Sophie O’Neil (Brittany Snow). Sophie, fresh from Chicago with her husband Graham (Evan Jonigkeit) and son Jack, seeks a fresh start but gets ensnared in Margo’s orbit of lavish parties, rifle-toting escapades, and simmering secrets. Early episodes paint Margo as a seductive mentor, introducing Sophie to the thrill of the hunt—both literal and metaphorical—while hinting at her extramarital flings with fellow club member Callie (Emily Osment). But the real shocker unfolds as the murder investigation into local teen Abby Rivers (Sara O’Connor) intensifies, with clues pointing everywhere but the true culprit.

The twist detonates in Episode 8, “The Reckoning,” when Sophie pieces together the puzzle: Margo, not the initially suspected Jill (Amy Sheehan), is Abby’s killer. The motive? A forbidden affair with Brad (George Ferrier), Jill’s underage son and Abby’s boyfriend, that spiraled into catastrophe. Abby, a sharp-eyed high schooler working part-time at the Banks’ estate, stumbled upon incriminating evidence—Margo’s steamy encounters with the teen, which led to an unplanned pregnancy and a secret abortion facilitated by the shady Pastor Pete (Ben Chaplin). Terrified that exposure would dismantle her luxurious life, derail Jed’s political ambitions, and shatter her social standing, Margo silenced Abby permanently. In a chilling scene, flashbacks show Margo luring Abby to the woods under the guise of a “hunting lesson,” then using Sophie’s own gun—stolen earlier—to shoot her point-blank, framing it as a tragic accident.

Digging deeper, this revelation isn’t mere shock value; it masterfully unravels themes of predatory behavior and class entitlement. Margo’s affair with Brad isn’t romanticized—it’s predatory, highlighting the power imbalance between a 40-something influencer and a vulnerable teen. Åkerman, in interviews, described Margo as “a woman trapped in her own gilded cage,” driven by boredom and ego to exploit those around her. The abortion twist adds layers: Initially, Pastor Pete’s cryptic mentions of a “procedure” point to Abby, but Sophie’s discovery of tampons in Margo’s bathroom (post-alleged miscarriage) leads to a Google-fueled epiphany—it’s Margo who terminated the pregnancy, not the victim. This misdirection keeps viewers guessing, with red herrings like Jill’s jealousy over Brad or Callie’s volatile temper. Abby’s threat to go public—whispered in a tense confrontation at a fundraiser—seals her fate, underscoring how Margo views lives as disposable in her quest for control.

The fallout amplifies the drama, turning personal betrayal into communal chaos. Sophie, once infatuated with Margo (their flirtation borders on obsessive), confronts her in a rain-soaked showdown, gun in hand, demanding answers. Margo’s confession is raw: “I did what I had to do to protect us all,” she hisses, revealing her twisted maternal instincts toward the club. But Sophie’s horror peaks when she realizes Margo framed her by planting the gun back in her possession, making her an unwitting accomplice. This betrayal echoes the series’ exploration of female friendships gone toxic, where empowerment masks manipulation. Jed’s oblivious ambition adds irony—he’s too busy schmoozing donors to notice his wife’s unraveling—while the town’s gossip mill, fueled by characters like Starr (Abby’s vengeful mother, played by Laurie Metcalf), heightens the stakes.

Beyond the murder, Margo’s arc probes societal double standards: As a powerful woman, her sins are amplified, yet her charisma makes her almost sympathetic. The show doesn’t redeem her; instead, it ends on a cliffhanger with Margo evicted by Jed, scheming her next move, while Sophie drags accomplice Kyle’s body into the woods after accidentally killing him in self-defense. This sets up Season 2, renewed in July 2025, promising more twists as Margo’s empire crumbles.

What elevates “The Hunting Wives” is its steamy, soapy allure blended with sharp social commentary. Cobb’s source material draws from real Texas scandals, amplifying the thrill. Åkerman’s nuanced performance—shifting from seductive to sinister—makes Margo’s downfall addictive. In a post-#MeToo era, the affair’s underage element sparks discomfort, forcing viewers to confront consent and corruption. As Sophie narrates in the finale, “In the hunt, the prey isn’t always who you think.” Stream it on Starz— this twist isn’t just deadly; it’s a wake-up call to the monsters hiding in plain sight.