Written by Kiley Bartolozzi
Netflix’s The Hunting Wives has become the latest obsession. The sultry and suspenseful thriller based on May Cobb’s novel has risen to the top of Netflix’s Top 10, keeping fans glued to the screen with the Southern recipe of its charm, intense drama, and stunning surprises.
One of the newest and most mysterious additions to the story is Jia Yi, a character absent from the original book, played by actress Jackie Dallas. In this exclusive Q&A, Dallas opens up about shaping her role without a blueprint, working alongside Hollywood veterans, her memories from Stranger Things Season 1, and her future plans.
First off, congratulations—The Hunting Wives hit number one on Netflix! How does it feel to be a part of such a hit?
Jackie Dallas: It’s so exciting. Netflix is such a massive platform, and knowing that so many people have seen our show is wild. You open Netflix and see it right there on the homepage—it’s surreal. And with all the social media buzz, you can’t help but get drawn into the excitement.
Your role of Jia Yi isn’t in the original book. What was it like preparing for a role without a pre-existing backstory?
It was both freeing and challenging. There wasn’t a preset character breakdown, so I had to figure her out through the scripts and directors’ guidance. She has to hold her own among these strong personalities, so I wanted her to be nuanced, interesting, and full of secrets.
Without giving spoilers, your character works closely with main antagonists Margot and Jed Banks. How do you think audiences will react to that dynamic?
I think it adds unpredictability, which is great for a thriller. It also sets up some backstory and motivations for Margot (Malin Akerman) and Jed (Dermont Mulroney) that could play into a second season. By the end of season one, things shift dramatically, and that opens the door for more conflict.
Speaking of Jed Banks, what was it like working with Dermot Mulroney?
It was amazing—and a little nerve-wracking at first. When you’ve admired someone’s career for years, it’s hard not to be a little starstruck. But Dermot made it easy. He’s welcoming, professional, and sets a great tone on set. That means a lot when you’re joining a cast that’s already been working together for a while.
The show touches on themes like politics, privilege, and social divides. Do you think it reflects real-world dynamics?
Definitely, though it’s heightened and a bit satirical. It pokes fun at hypocrisy on all sides, but what’s interesting is that it doesn’t seem to have a single audience demographic. People from all walks of life are enjoying it.
Do you have a favorite memory from filming this season?
We shot a lot of scenes in a beautiful mansion a bit away from base camp. Because we couldn’t go back to trailers between takes, we all ended up hanging out together inside the house. It turned into this casual social environment, and those in-between moments of connection were some of my favorites.
You also appeared in Stranger Things Season 1. How does it feel to be a part of another hit Netflix series?
Stranger Things really kick-started my career. It gave me my first taste of being on a hit show, and it’s bittersweet to see it ending. With The Hunting Wives, I feel more prepared to enjoy the ride. There’s something giddy about sharing that experience with so many people at the same time.
If you could tell viewers one thing before they watch, what would it be?
Put the kids to bed. This is a show to watch alone—maybe with a friend—but definitely not on an airplane or at the gym!
What’s on your horizon for the end of 2025 and into 2026?
I’m riding The Hunting Wives wave right now, but I’m about to start filming a horror feature in Phoenix. I’ll share more about it on my Instagram as I can. Beyond that, there are a few things in the works—we’ll see what lands.
As our conversation wrapped, Dallas reflected on the whirlwind of joining a show that had gone from script to a cultural phenomenon in just weeks. With The Hunting Wives steadily in Netflix’s Top 10, rumors about a second season are intensifying, and Jia Yi’s storyline feels ready for development.
“I’d love to dive deeper into Jia Yi’s backstory,” Dallas says. “There’s so much we could explore, and I think audiences would be surprised where it could go.”
Fans will simply have to keep sleuthing online, sharing theories, and—as Dallas recommends—making sure the kids are in bed before pressing play. For those eager to follow her next moves, Jackie Dallas regularly shares behind-the-scenes glimpses, project updates, and her personal moments on her Instagram, @jaxdallas—a must-follow for fans who can’t get enough of The Hunting Wives and more!
