Making Their Own Merry—How ‘The Hunting Wives’ Stars Get into the Holiday Spirit

Julie JordanMon, November 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC

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Credit: Hunter Moreno

On The Hunting Wives, Malin Åkerman and Brittany Snow play best friends whose idea of a good time includes seduction, secrets, and enough questionable decisions to keep an entire Texas town talking.

Off-screen, things are considerably cozier: Think partners, family time, dogs, and—this time of year—twinkle lights and Swedish meatballs. The actresses, who return for the addictive drama’s second season November 26, had never met before being cast. But a dinner over margaritas made them quickly realize they “just connected on so many levels,” Malin says. That bond only grew while they navigated the whirlwind of the show’s success—and helped ground each other when the cameras stop rolling. For Malin, that means spending time with husband Jack Donnelly and her 13-year-old son, Sebastian; meanwhile, Brittany loves settling in with partner Hunter Moreno and their dog, Charlie. In the spirit of the season, we asked the two to trade in their characters’ deliciously messy world for a little holiday cheer and talk friendship, letting go of perfection, making a house a home, and the traditions they wouldn’t dream of skipping. No scandal required.

Credit: Hunter MorenoQ: After being cast for ‘The Hunting Wives,’ when did you first really connect?

Brittany Snow: We decided to go out to dinner after the first and second night of rehearsals. And we got margaritas, which then became a staple in our lives.

Malin Åkerman: Margaritas and turkey sandwiches. I think we both knew this was going to be a real friendship outside of a working relationship.

Q: Did either of you have any idea the show was going to become the sensation it did?

Brittany: God, no. We were just having fun. There was even a moment we didn’t think anyone was going to see it because it kind of went into limbo. And then when Netflix picked it up, we were like, “Oh ... a lot of people are going to see it now!”

Malin: We were elated, but we never, ever could have guessed that it would’ve been this cultural phenomenon.

Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned about each other that has surprised you?

Malin: I love Brittany’s ability to have a bird’s-eye view of herself. Being able to see yourself and course-correct when you need to. It’s a beautiful self-awareness that I really appreciate and look up to.

Brittany: Malin has a super firm grasp on when it’s important to disconnect and just sink back into herself, her son, her family. When The Hunting Wives was coming out, she went off to Sweden and wasn’t even on her phone for weeks. There’s such a calmness about the reality in which she lives her life.

Malin: The one problem with that is I disconnect so much that I have 46,000 emails in my inbox. Today my husband said we owe the dentist $900. It was $12 in January—so I need to find a good balance.

Q: What parts of yourselves have you become more unapologetic with now that you’re older?

Malin: I’m truly starting not to worry about what people think because you can’t please everybody. I used to say words like, “I don’t care what they think,” but deep inside I did. I try to be a good person inherently, but other than that, I just think you can’t live for everyone else.

Brittany: I think the thing I’ve been proud of myself for in the past couple years is letting go of the perfectionism I’ve created from being a child actress and having to do everything right. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that’s me trying to control other people’s perceptions of me. Being OK with failure and messing up and not saying and doing all the things correctly is a huge breath of fresh air. It’s freeing because people still love you and accept you.

"The truth is women are powerful. And if they’re intimidating, so be it—I really look up to those women. Hopefully the narrative is changing."

Malin ÅkermanQ: Let’s shift gears a bit: BHG has always celebrated the idea of home, but home means something different to everybody. What makes a house feel like yours?

Brittany: This has been a process for me because I’ve been decorating my house for two years now—and it’s an ongoing, terrible, lovely, beautiful thing. But I really feel like when I walk around my house, I can see all these beautiful things I’ve collected through memories or different adventures. I never wanted a home to be just something that I found in a catalog.

Malin: I just let go of my L.A. home that I was in for 21 years, so it’s been a journey and process for me because I was such a nomad growing up; we moved so much. To be able to be in one place and provide that for my son was a big deal for me. But we’ve just moved into this new place in Connecticut, and we’re loving it. I’m not a fan of walking into a home where it’s been decorated by somebody else, and everything’s sourced [from the same store].

Credit: Hunter Moreno

Credit: Hunter Moreno

Q: When life gets chaotic, what’s one ritual that instantly grounds you at home?

Brittany: Mine is lame, but no matter what, even if Hunter and I have to wake up early, we set aside a good 15 minutes for morning cuddles with my dog before we have to get out of bed. We don’t check our phones and just take a second to be with her and each other and wake up together. We’re pretty spiritual about it now.

Malin: If I ever need to come down a few notches, it’s literally holding my son, smelling his head. Either him or my husband; they’re interchangeable. And the dog is included as well. Maybe it’s pheromones, but they say you need 12 hugs a day, and I really believe it.

Q: They also say a hug needs to last at least 7 seconds.

Malin: Go for 30. I hold on to my son until he’s squirming, and I don’t care.

Q: What’s a favorite holiday tradition that you’ll never skip?

Malin: It’s a Swedish thing, but we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus shows up. An uncle or a dad or somebody disappears when Santa comes, and then we’re like, “Oh my God, you missed it,” when they come back. We continued that with my son and now my niece and nephew. I love their faces when they see the lantern in the dark and this big guy comes with a present.

Brittany: My family didn’t really have many Christmas traditions growing up except we always went to a movie on Christmas Day with my grandparents. So I’ve continued with that. Of course, it’s always some big robot movie or something, but it doesn’t matter because it’s a part of the tradition.

Q: Is there a menu item each of you are expected to make?

Malin: Swedish meatballs. For sure.

Brittany: There are these things my family makes called buckeyes because we’re from Ohio. They’re so good. It’s pounds of sugar and peanut butter and chocolate ...

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Q: At what moments off camera have you been most grateful for your friendship?

Brittany: I think when the show was coming out and we were doing a lot of press. It can feel a little overwhelming, like, Is this even real? But having your best friend with you, looking at each other as we’re about to do something really nerve- wracking, it’s so special.

Malin: There’s this built-in support system now. When we first separate after being together for so long, it feels like I’m missing something, and to me, that screams true friendship and partnership.

Credit: Hunter Moreno

Credit: Hunter Moreno

Q: Lastly, finish this sentence: Home is … ?

Malin: Home is where my family is.

Brittany: Home is where the wine is [laughs]. Yeah, live, laugh, love, wine o’clock, that’s what my home is.

Malin: I’m coming to your house.

Credit: Hunter MorenoCredits

Photos: Hunter Moreno

Editor-in-Chief: Carrie Boyd

Creative Director: Jennifer Madara

Prop Stylist: Rachel Rockstroh

Wardrobe: Molly Levin

Hair: Maranda Widlund (Åkerman) and Glen Coco Oropeza (Snow)

Makeup: Kathy Jeung (Åkerman) and Leah Darcy (Snow)

Nails: Yoko Sakakura

Set Design: Wanted PD

Words: Julie Jordan

Video: Wes Films

Video Creative Direction: Ginger Perra

Contributing Producers: Alison Wild and Lawrence Whritenour Jr.

Talent Booking: Bethany Heitman

Wardrobe: White Dress: Emilia Wickstead; Sequin Dress: Jenny Packham; Red and Pink Bow Dresses: Leo Lin; Red Dress on Brittany: Vintage; Red Dress on Malin: Prabal Gurung.

Jewelry: The Kit Vintage and Forever Diamonds NY

on Better Homes & Gardens

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”