The Hunting Party: Season 1

There’s something irresistibly eerie about a group of old friends reuniting in the middle of nowhere—too much wine, too many memories, and one tragic secret waiting to claw its way out. The Hunting Party Season 1 delivers all of that and more, wrapping viewers in a moody, suspense-filled drama where the wild Scottish landscape feels as much a character as the people who inhabit it.

Based on Lucy Foley’s bestselling novel, the series captures the claustrophobic tension of a remote lodge reunion that turns into a chilling murder mystery. With every episode, you’re drawn deeper into a web of lies, fractured friendships, and dangerous truths. The result is a psychological thriller that’s both elegant and razor-sharp.

The Premise: Friends, Lies, and Frozen Ground

The story begins with a group of college friends reuniting for their annual New Year’s getaway, this time at a luxurious but isolated lodge in the Scottish Highlands. What’s meant to be a celebration of their long-standing friendship quickly descends into suspicion and unease when one of them turns up dead.

From the outset, the show establishes its central theme: how well do you really know the people closest to you? Everyone arrives with smiles and champagne, but the cracks show early. Old grudges simmer. Passive-aggressive comments fly. And beneath the laughter is the distinct feeling that someone is keeping a very dangerous secret.

Structure That Keeps You Guessing

Season 1 is structured with dual timelines—“Then” and “Now.” The “Now” shows the aftermath of the murder, with police arriving and panic setting in. The “Then” peels back the layers of the days leading up to the crime. This alternating format is a masterstroke. Each episode ends with a new revelation, a glance too long, a phrase that doesn’t sit right.

And the killer twist? We don’t even know who’s been murdered until halfway through the season.

This suspenseful structure keeps viewers constantly guessing—not just who the killer is, but also who the victim might be. It’s a brilliant inversion of the traditional murder mystery, creating a tension that builds until it practically crackles on screen.

A Cast of Flawed and Fascinating Characters

The Hunting Party succeeds largely because of its richly drawn ensemble. These aren’t just characters—they’re people you recognize. People you might know in real life. Maybe even people you’ve been.

There’s Miranda, the queen bee—beautiful, bold, and used to getting what she wants. But her charisma hides a mean streak and a growing desperation to hold on to her fading power.

Then there’s Katie, the quiet observer, loyal but harboring secrets of her own. Sam and Julien, the power couple, seem perfect on the surface but are cracking beneath the weight of expectation. Mark and Bo are the fun-loving pair who drink a little too much and laugh a little too loudly—but their carefree act hides something darker.

And then there are the outsiders: Heather, the lodge manager haunted by her own grief, and Doug, the silent gamekeeper with a past he’d rather forget. Their perspectives give us a lens into the group from the outside, adding another layer of depth—and suspicion.

No one is above suspicion. Everyone has a motive. And by the end of each episode, your list of suspects changes completely.

The Landscape as Character

It’s impossible to talk about The Hunting Party without mentioning the setting. The Scottish Highlands are breathtaking, but also unforgiving—snow-covered trees, icy lakes, and a vast silence that only deepens the sense of isolation. The lodge itself is stylish but cold, with long hallways and dim lighting that feel more like a trap than a retreat.

This is not just a place you escape to. It’s a place you can’t escape from.

As a visual metaphor, the landscape mirrors the characters: beautiful from afar, but dangerous when you dig deeper. The remoteness amplifies the tension. There’s no phone service. No way to leave until the snowstorm passes. And when the power goes out, so does any remaining sense of control.

Themes: Friendship, Envy, and the Masks We Wear

At its core, The Hunting Party isn’t just a murder mystery. It’s a study of friendship and the lies we tell—to others and ourselves. The show explores how relationships evolve over time, how unresolved resentments fester, and how the image we project can differ wildly from who we really are.

There’s a subtle thread of class tension running through the narrative as well. Some characters have climbed the social ladder. Others feel left behind. This imbalance fuels jealousy, and in such a closed environment, jealousy becomes volatile.

One of the season’s strongest themes is the fragility of loyalty. What holds people together? Shared memories? Guilt? Convenience? And what happens when those ties begin to unravel?

Pacing and Payoff

Season 1 moves at a deliberate pace—never rushing, always building. It’s the kind of slow burn that rewards patience. Every episode offers a new piece of the puzzle, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the show turns everything on its head.

By the final two episodes, the tension hits a fever pitch. The murder is revealed, the motives laid bare, and the final confrontation is as satisfying as it is gut-wrenching.

The ending isn’t just shocking—it’s earned. The clues were always there, hidden in plain sight. And when the truth finally comes out, it forces you to reconsider everything you’ve seen before.

You can watch this show on Peacock TV in Canada, Peacock TV in UK, Peacock TV in Australia and Peacock TV in Mexico.

Final Thoughts

The Hunting Party Season 1 is an atmospheric triumph. It combines psychological drama with traditional mystery in a way that feels both classic and fresh. With its layered characters, haunting setting, and masterful pacing, the show grips you from the first snowflake to the final gasp.

It’s not just about uncovering a killer—it’s about uncovering what people are capable of when they think no one’s watching. And sometimes, the darkest secrets are the ones we hide from ourselves.

If you love stories that blend suspense with sharp character insight, this is one party you won’t want to miss. But be warned: once the hunt begins, no one is truly safe.