If you’ve binged the first season of the Texas-fried thriller on Netflix, you already know. The vibe is basically Big Little Lies meets Dead to Me, but with more guns and a lot more sweat. Ever since the show dropped in July 2025, everyone has been scouring IMDb to figure out who is who in this tangled web of socialites and secrets. Specifically, fans have been looking for the hunting wives cast black actress who brings that much-needed grounding to the chaotic, champagne-soaked world of Maple Brook.
Let’s get into it.
Who is the Hunting Wives cast Black actress?
When people talk about the standout Black talent in the show, two names usually pop up. First, there’s Joyce Glenn, who plays Monae Roberts. You’ve probably seen her—she’s the one who actually feels like a high-society insider without trying too hard. Monae is wealthy, sophisticated, and a core member of the "Hunting Wives" circle. Unlike some of the other characters who seem like they're playing dress-up, Glenn plays Monae with a cool, effortless confidence that makes you wonder what she’s hiding behind that designer sunglasses-and-rifle combo.
Then we have Karen Rodriguez, who plays Deputy Wanda Salazar. Okay, technically she's not a "wife" in the group, but she is a massive part of why the show works. She and her partner, Deputy Flynn (played by Hunter Emery), are the ones actually trying to solve the murder of Abby Jackson while the wives are busy having affairs and shooting clay pigeons.
Rodriguez is so good that the producers actually promoted her to a series regular for Season 2. That’s a big deal. It means we’re going to see way more of her investigation into Margo and Sophie's "wild behavior" in the next batch of episodes.
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Other Notable Cast Members
The show isn't just about the wives, though. Chosen Jacobs plays Jamie Martin, who is Brad’s best friend. He’s often the moral compass in a room full of people who have lost theirs. If you recognize him, it’s probably because he was one of the kids in the IT movies. He brings a really grounded, teenage perspective to a show that can sometimes feel like it’s floating away on a cloud of scandal.
Why This Cast Works
Honestly, the chemistry is what keeps this show from being just another soap opera. You have Brittany Snow as Sophie O’Neil, the newcomer who gets sucked into this cult-like group of women. She’s moving from Massachusetts to East Texas—talk about culture shock. Then there’s Malin Akerman as Margo Banks, the "Alpha" of the group.
Akerman has mentioned in interviews that they actually used Melania Trump as a reference for Margo’s character. It shows. She’s icy, she’s polished, and she’s terrifyingly manipulative. Seeing someone like Monae (Joyce Glenn) interact with Margo is fascinating because it adds a layer of social hierarchy that the book only scratched the surface of.
The Mystery of Monae Roberts
Joyce Glenn’s portrayal of Monae is one of the more underrated parts of the series. While Sophie is bumbling around trying to fit in, Monae is already there. She’s part of the elite.
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What makes her character interesting is how she balances the expectations of being a "Hunting Wife" with her own autonomy. In a town like Maple Brook, where your status is tied to who you’re married to, Monae seems to have a bit more steel in her spine. Fans are hoping Season 2 dives deeper into her backstory. We need to know: how did she get into this circle, and what does she really think of Margo Banks?
What to Expect in Season 2
The first season ended with a literal bang (and a body in a lake). Sophie killed Margo’s brother, Kyle, and Jill was killed by Callie. It was a mess. A beautiful, Texas-sized mess.
Here is what we know about the upcoming season:
- Production is moving fast. Filming for Season 2 started in late 2025 and is expected to wrap by March 2026.
- New Faces. They’ve added some heavy hitters. John Stamos is joining the cast, along with Dale Dickey and Cam Gigandet.
- A "Wild" Death. Brittany Snow recently told Entertainment Tonight at the Golden Globes that she literally stood up on her couch when she read the script for the new season. Someone major is going to die.
Given that Karen Rodriguez (Deputy Salazar) is now a series regular, expect the law to be breathing down the Wives' necks much more heavily. You can only hide a body in a lake for so long before someone starts asking questions.
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Is It Worth the Watch?
If you like Desperate Housewives but wish it had more murder and a darker, more "noir" Texas aesthetic, then yes. It’s trashy in the best way possible. The acting is surprisingly top-tier for a show that is essentially about "horny socialites," as the showrunner Rebecca Cutter once described it.
The inclusion of actors like Joyce Glenn and Karen Rodriguez helps round out the world. It makes Maple Brook feel like a real place, even if the drama is turned up to eleven.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch Season 1 on Netflix: If you haven't finished it, do it before the spoilers for Season 2 start leaking everywhere.
- Follow the Cast: Keep an eye on Karen Rodriguez and Joyce Glenn on social media; they often post behind-the-scenes clips from the North Carolina sets (which double as East Texas).
- Read the Book: If you can’t wait for Season 2, May Cobb’s original novel The Hunting Wives is a quick, spicy read that gives a lot more internal monologue for the characters.