Netflix show boss fires back after raunchy TV series is labelled 'vulgar'
The Hunting Wives was released earlier this month, based on the bestselling novel of the same name by May Cobb, with Brittany Snow, Dermot Mulroney and Malin Åkerman among the star-studded cast.
It follows Sophie (Brittany) who moves to Texas with her family and becomes very close to mysterious socialite Margo (Malin) and her group of wealthy friends.
Her new life is thrown into chaos when she's warned that she has 'no idea what these people are capable of', with a dead body turning up soon after.
The must-watch thriller has divided viewers, leaving many hooked over the 'bonkers' plot, while other turned off just minutes into the first episode.
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Amid the huge reaction, showrunner Rebecca Cutter shared her excitement at highlighting a 'fun' series focusing on women unapologetically behaving badly.
'It's so fun, and juicy and sexy. Everyone is behaving so badly,' she told the New York Post. 'I wanted to do an exploration of women behaving badly, unapologetic sexual conquest running rampant, and just something fun.'
One specific plot that had some viewers up in arms was the affair between Margo and her friend's son, 18-year-old Brad – which takes a turn when she gets pregnant.
'It was important to find an actress, not necessarily that was willing to do nudity per se, but that really felt comfortable with the sexuality and owning that power that she has,' Rebecca said of the steamy scenes.
'I think there's a fantasy of freedom or power that maybe we don't feel so much as middle-aged women.
'I just think TV has evolved. The first anti-heroes were all men.
'Now, there can be more female anti-heroes and I certainly think Margot Banks falls into that category.'
'It's rare. I also think it's real. I have single friends [who are] women of a certain age…young men always are interested in them….that is a very real thing,' she added of portraying their romance. 'And so, I think that that's cool to show.'
Rebecca's comments come after viewers rushed online to share their thoughts about the Hunting Wives – which currently commands a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82% from critics, compared to 68% from fans.
Although many described the series as 'a soapy good time' and 'super trashy fun', some were left taken aback by the plot.
Rotten Tomatoes user Z H posted: 'Vulgar viewing. I couldn't make it past the first 20 minutes of the first episode. More Trending
'In those 20 minutes a woman uses paper towels as a maxi pad, and makes eye contact with a young man while he is masterbating in front of his girlfriend. Gross [sic].'
Mark M agreed: 'Entertaining enough but felt mostly like a bad soap opera that leaned heavily into unnecessary, perverted sexual content. Countless cringe-worthy scenes.'
As Bernard D added: 'This show is simply hideous.'
The Hunting Wives is available to stream on Netflix now.
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