Niecy Nash-Betts Joins Season 2 Of The Hunting Party
A High-Profile Addition to the Killer Hunt
Niecy Nash-Betts is bringing her formidable talent to Season 2 of NBC’s crime drama The Hunting Party, stepping into a role that could shake up the investigative team’s dynamics and raise the stakes of their hunt. The network confirmed that Nash-Betts will appear as Detective Erica Burke, a character with a past that intersects chillingly with a notorious killer from rural New Mexico.
Erica Burke’s backstory is deeply intertwined with the show’s central antagonists. She has a history with serial killer Adrian Gallo, known for his shocking modus operandi: preserving his victims in acrylic resin — the gruesome process that reflected a twisted aesthetic, much like insect preservation. This chilling detail alone promises a darker, more emotionally complex arc for Nash-Betts’s character, blending true-crime horror with procedural intrigue.
In Season 2, Burke must work alongside the show’s core team — including ex-FBI profiler Rebecca “Bex” Henderson, played by Melissa Roxburgh — to track down Gallo before he strikes again. The relationship between Burke and Bex is especially compelling: two driven women, burdened by their pasts, forced together in the pursuit of justice. Their uneasy alliance could turn into one of the season’s most compelling narrative threads, built on respect, tension, and shared determination.
Nash-Betts is no stranger to complex roles, having earned an Emmy in 2024 for her raw, unforgettable performance as Glenda Cleveland in Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Her range spans both comedy and drama, from Reno 911! and Scream Queens to emotionally intense series like When They See Us. This mix of sharp humor and gravitas makes her a perfect choice for The Hunting Party, a show that blends procedural suspense with deeply personal storytelling.
Her casting aligns with NBC’s broader vision for Season 2: injecting fresh talent and surprising character arcs to deepen the show’s mythology. In addition to Nash-Betts, the season will also introduce Eric McCormack (known for Will & Grace) as a killer dubbed the “Boogeyman,” and his son Finnigan McCormack, playing his younger self in flashbacks — a multi-layered ensemble that promises to keep viewers on edge.
The announcement comes as The Hunting Party returns for its second season on January 8, 2026, airing on Thursday nights. The renewal, confirmed during NBC’s Upfronts event, reflects the network’s belief in the show’s potential — and commitment to growing its world with more character-driven crime drama.
For Nash-Betts, the role of Erica Burke is another high-profile addition to a resume defined by powerful, nuanced performances. With her on board, Season 2 of The Hunting Party is shaping up to be as emotionally gripping as it is suspenseful — delivering both personal drama and pulse-pounding action as the team continues its dangerous mission.
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