Dive deep into Brittany Snow’s unfiltered revelations about filming Netflix’s thrilling drama, The Hunting Wives. From an unexpected illness caused by too many mints during intimate scenes with Malin Akerman to her frustration over a crucial deleted scene that shaped her character, Snow offers a rare glimpse into the production challenges and personal triumphs, including her powerful stand against Hollywood’s ageist views on female sexuality.
Brittany Snow, a familiar face to audiences since her child star days in the ’90s, continues to captivate with her latest role as Sophie O’Neil in the Netflix series The Hunting Wives. The show, which premiered in July, plunges Snow’s character into a world of obsession, seduction, and murder after relocating from Boston to an affluent East Texas town. While the series itself is a gripping watch, Snow recently pulled back the curtain on some surprising behind-the-scenes moments during an appearance on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, offering fans a unique perspective on filming intimate scenes, the impact of a crucial deleted moment, and her powerful advocacy against Hollywood’s ageism.
The Sweet (and Sickening) Side of Intimacy: Too Many Mints on Set
One of the most unexpected revelations from Brittany Snow concerned the filming of intimate scenes with her costar Malin Akerman. Snow candidly shared that the two actresses, in their shared effort to be considerate, consumed an excessive amount of breath mints.
“There were so many mints on that set,” Snow explained, “to the point where we got, both of us got sick.” She humorously confirmed that they ate “too many mints,” even recalling consuming “an entire tub one day” herself. This anecdote, while lighthearted, highlighted a deeper dynamic on set.
Snow observed that such an extreme level of mindfulness might not occur in a scene with a male costar. “As women, you’re so mindful of each other,” she noted. “Guys, they sometimes don’t care. There’s not a mint in their mouth. But with Malin and I, it was like, ‘Are you OK? Can I put my hand here?’ It was just so nice and so different.” This collaborative and empathetic approach underscores the unique bond and respect between the female leads, a sentiment echoed in an Entertainment Weekly report of the interview.
Nudity, Age, and Breaking Hollywood Stigmas
Beyond the mints, Snow lauded Malin Akerman’s exceptional professionalism and consideration regarding nudity. Akerman, who is Swedish and “more open with nudity,” proactively ensured Snow’s comfort.
Snow recounted Akerman asking, “‘Do you want me to put my body here, so you don’t have to show this part of yourself?'” Snow found this approach “so selfless and nice.” This level of communication and respect is invaluable in creating a safe and comfortable environment for actors during intimate scenes.
Snow also shared her personal motivations for embracing nudity in the series, particularly as she approaches a significant birthday. “As for the nudity that Snow did do, she thought about the fact that she’s going to be 40 next year and wanted to do it more.” She articulated a powerful critique of Hollywood’s pervasive ageism, stating, “That’s very, unfortunately, rare to see women” after 40 in such roles. Snow challenged the notion that “once you’re 40, you’re no longer seen as a sexual being, which is completely false. So I love that our show brought new light to that, that you don’t stop having sex when you’re 40. I hope you have more.” This statement resonates deeply within the industry, advocating for broader representation and challenging outdated stereotypes.
The Deleted Scene That Defined Sophie O’Neil
One of the most impactful revelations for fans concerned a deleted scene that Brittany Snow believes was crucial for understanding her character, Sophie O’Neil. Snow admitted to being “actually upset” that a significant part of her performance was cut from the final edit.
“There was a scene in Hunting Wives that I was really upset got cut because it sort of made sense why my behavior was so weird on the show,” Snow explained on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, as reported by Us Weekly. The scene, which she read for episode 8, depicted Sophie experiencing a full panic attack and breakdown in her car: “she starts hitting herself and hitting her hand on the steering wheel and crying and screams.”
Snow continued, “Then she goes right into stoicism and just becomes completely void and gets out of the car. I remember thinking, ‘Oh, that’s how she reacts to problems, she’s become so used to being a mother and a woman that will only have her breakdowns in her car.’ So, I thought, ‘well, that’s how I’m going to play her character.'”
The absence of this scene, Snow felt, left her character’s “bizarre” actions less understandable to viewers. While she understood that such cuts are often made due to episode length and narrative focus (especially since Sophie’s story is somewhat “siloed” from the main murder investigation), the scene was vital to her performance. The show’s creator and writer, Rebecca Cutter, assured Snow that the decision was made after consideration, promising that its implications would “make more sense” in Season 2, particularly given Sophie’s backstory involving DUIs and a fatal accident before her move to Texas, as revealed in Season 1.
‘The Hunting Wives’: A Deep Dive into the Netflix Thriller
For those eager to understand the world Brittany Snow describes, The Hunting Wives is a psychological thriller based on the novel by May Cobb. The series follows Sophie O’Neil’s journey as she leaves Boston for East Texas, where she encounters the captivating socialite Margo, played by Malin Akerman. Sophie quickly finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of “obsession, seduction, and murder,” as detailed on Netflix Tudum.
The show’s journey to Netflix was also noteworthy. It was originally filmed for Starz before Lionsgate Television acquired the rights, ultimately licensing the U.S. streaming rights to Netflix for a year. This transition even led to an increase in “NSFW” (not safe for work) intimate scenes, a development the cast embraced.
Why These Revelations Matter to Fans
Brittany Snow’s candid discussions offer invaluable insights for fans of The Hunting Wives. Understanding the nuances of intimate scene etiquette, the collaborative spirit between costars like Snow and Akerman, and the creative decisions behind deleted scenes enriches the viewing experience. It allows fans to appreciate the depth of character development and the challenges actors face in bringing complex roles to life. Snow’s advocacy for women over 40 in sexually liberated roles further solidifies her as a voice for change in an industry often resistant to it.
Fans can stream The Hunting Wives to see Brittany Snow’s compelling performance as Sophie O’Neil and judge for themselves how the absence of that crucial breakdown scene might influence their perception of her character’s journey.
