Warning! This story contains spoilers for The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 2, “Adrian Gallo.”
In the year that Agent Rebecca “Bex” Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh) has been pursuing escapees from the world of serial killers on NBC’s thrilling series The Hunting Party, she has come face to face with the darkest corners of humanity. With her elite team—CIA agent Jacob Hassani (Patrick Sabongui), former prison guard Shane Florence (Josh McKenzie), and intel officer Jennifer Morales (Sara Garcia)—Bex delves deep into the minds of profoundly disturbed criminals to anticipate their next moves. However, in Season 2, Episode 2, titled “Adrian Gallo,” Bex finds an unexpected opportunity for camaraderie with another woman in law enforcement, Detective Erica Burke, portrayed by Emmy-winning actress Niecy Nash-Betts.
In this episode, Bex has the unique chance to connect with Burke, who has previously dealt with Adrian Gallo, the notorious escapee at the heart of this week’s narrative. Their shared experiences provide fertile ground for dialogue, as both women face the personal toll that their demanding careers impose on their lives.
Melissa Roxburgh Welcomes Niecy Nash-Betts as a Scene Partner
Niecy Nash-Betts’ character, Erica Burke, presents herself as a straight-shooting detective whose pursuit of Adrian Gallo came at a significant personal cost. Recognizing the toll such a case can have on a person, Bex finds a rare confidante in Burke. “I always love it when they bring in cool women and amazing actresses,” Roxburgh shared, reflecting on her delight in working with Nash-Betts for the first time. “Niecy’s work I wasn’t actually that familiar with. I know who she is, and that she’s an acting powerhouse.”
Roxburgh emphasized the complexities Nash-Betts brings to her role as Burke, showcasing a character who is not just a skilled detective but also wrestling with her inner demons. “Being able to interact with her and play with her, especially when she’s kind of playing two people—this good guy, and then we see that she’s not necessarily the good guy—was fascinating,” Roxburgh explained. “She has this light demeanor, but there’s so much depth to her character.”
Niecy Nash-Betts’ Hunting Party Character Goes Rogue
As the episode unfolds, a dramatic twist reveals Burke’s psychological unraveling. Bex discovers that, in her obsession with capturing Gallo, Burke has morphed into something she once hunted herself—a serial killer. The shocking reveal comes in the episode’s finale: she has buried the remains of thirteen victims in her own home. This startling turn was a complete surprise to Roxburgh, who credited the writers with crafting such inventive narratives. “I think some of them are twists on killers that we know,” she said, hinting at future plot developments. “We have sort of an Ed Gein character coming in.”
Roxburgh’s appreciation for her writers underscores the fresh and creative storytelling presented in each season of The Hunting Party. “These characters are tortured in ways that are both familiar and shockingly unique,” she noted, emphasizing the layers and depth the show portrays in its villainous characters.
New episodes of The Hunting Party air Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC and are available for next-day streaming on Peacock. Catch up on Season 1 on Peacock now.