The Hunting Party Cast: Season 2 and Why Reviews Were Bad

There’s something about a procedural that jumps right into the action—no slow build, just a team chasing killers. That’s the hook of The Hunting Party, an NBC crime drama that premiered on January 19, 2025. Created by JJ Bailey, the series centers on a small investigative unit tracking down escaped serial killers from a top-secret prison. If you’re curious about the cast behind the characters or how it landed with critics, here’s what you need to know.

Series premiere: January 19, 2025 • Main cast members: 5 • Rotten Tomatoes score: 30% • Network: NBC • Season 1 episodes: 23

The six rows below summarize the most important attributes of The Hunting Party — a quick reference for anyone deciding whether to invest time in the series.

Who is in the cast of The Hunting Party?

According to Rotten Tomatoes (season 1 page), the series assembled a compact ensemble of five main actors. The lead is Melissa Roxburgh as Rebecca “Bex” Henderson, a disgraced former FBI profiler. Nick Wechsler appears as Oliver Odell, part of the investigative team in season 1. Patrick Sabongui plays CIA Agent Jacob Hassani, Josh McKenzie portrays Shane Florence, and Sara Garcia rounds out the core as Jennifer Morales.

Melissa Roxburgh as Bex Henderson

• Melissa Roxburgh carries the show as the central character, a profiler pulled back into action. (The Hunting Party Wiki (fansite database))

Patrick Sabongui as Jacob Hassani

• Patrick Sabongui’s character brings a CIA background to the team. (The Hunting Party Wiki)

Nick Wechsler as Oliver Odell

• Nick Wechsler, known for prior TV roles, plays a primary investigator in the first season. (The Hunting Party Wiki)

For more on other recent cast ensembles, see Cast Of Doc (2025 Tv Series) and Cast Of Grosse Pointe Garden Society.

The implication: The casting choices lean on actors with procedural experience, aiming for chemistry over star power. Whether that bet paid off depends on how you weigh performance against the criticism the show received.

The implication: The cast’s chemistry is a highlight, but the writing struggles to support them.

Why did The Hunting Party get such bad reviews?

The first season holds a 30% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes (aggregated critic reviews). That places it in the lower tier of NBC’s recent dramas. While the score is low, the audience rating often diverges — suggesting the show connects better with casual viewers than with professional critics.

Common criticisms

• Critics pointed to weak plot pacing and underwhelming dialogue as the main flaws, according to aggregated reviews on the Rotten Tomatoes page.
• Some reviewers praised the cast’s potential despite the writing, as highlighted by the critic consensus.

The pattern: The Hunting Party lands in the same category as many broadcast procedurals that critics find formulaic but that find a loyal audience. The 30% score isn’t unusual for a mid-season replacement drama, but it sets low expectations for anyone considering a binge-watch.

The pattern: Even with low critic scores, the show may find an audience among fans of the genre.

Pros and cons of watching The Hunting Party

The takeaway: The show appeals to those seeking a familiar procedural with a strong lead.

Timeline of The Hunting Party so far

Key events in the show’s release timeline are listed below.

Why this matters: The timeline is short and sparse. Without a season 2 announcement, the show’s future hinges on whether viewership picks up through streaming and word-of-mouth.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Based on available information, here’s a clear split:

• Confirmed: Melissa Roxburgh plays Bex Henderson; Nick Wechsler appears in season 1; the series is a procedural crime drama on NBC; the premiere date is January 19, 2025; the Rotten Tomatoes score is 30%.
• Unclear: Reason for Nick Wechsler’s departure (if any); exact number of planned seasons; full character arcs for supporting cast; where the show is filmed.

The bottom line: The decision to watch depends on your tolerance for uneven storytelling.

Will there be a season 2 of The Hunting Party?

As of early 2025, NBC has not officially renewed The Hunting Party for a second season. The series was designed as an ongoing procedural, so a season 2 announcement may come depending on viewership and streaming performance. (Wikipedia (series overview))

For a deeper look at when the new episodes hit NBC and Peacock, check out season 2 renewal details for the full breakdown of season 2’s release and streaming options.

Frequently asked questions

For viewers in the U.S. deciding whether to start The Hunting Party, the choice comes down to tolerance for flawed but energetic procedurals. If you need a polished, critic-approved drama, look elsewhere. But fans of Melissa Roxburgh might find a guilty pleasure worth the time.