The Hunting Party returns for season 2 with shocking twists, Manifest reunion teased

The Hunting Party returns tonight with shocking twists after capturing 30 million viewers last season. A major Manifest reunion is brewing as Josh Dallas joins Melissa Roxburgh for episode 8, set to air March 18, 2026. Season 2 premieres January 8 at 10 PM ET on NBC.

Season 2 Kicks Off with Cliffhanger Resolution

Melissa Roxburgh returns as Bex Henderson, the former FBI profiler leading an elite team to recapture serial killers escaping from “The Pit,” a secret prison hidden inside Wyoming missile silos. The season opens just weeks after season 1’s shocking finale, where Oliver Odell was shot and appeared to be dying. Executive producers promise swift resolution to this cliffhanger.

Bex must fight to reinstate her disbanded team amid political fallout from the season 1 villain, the “Killer Chemist.” A new leadership change will create major obstacles throughout season 2, adding fresh tension to the mission.

Star-Studded Guest Cast Brings Twisted Killers

Eric McCormack opens the season as Ron Simms, “The Boogeyman,” a charming serial killer who appears to have benefited from The Pit’s empathy experiments. His storyline explores disturbing themes of romance and deception that executives called both “alluring and dangerous.” Subsequent episodes feature Kelsey Grammer as cult leader Noah Cyrus, Elizabeth Gillies as “The Masseuse” Amanda Weiss, and Jefferson White as Lou Kaplan, who preyed on influencers.

Niecy Nash-Betts joins as Detective Erica Burke, squaring off directly with Bex in what marks the first collaboration between the show and external law enforcement.

Detail	Information
Network	NBC
Premiere Airtime	10 PM ET/PT Thursdays
Streaming	Next day on Peacock
Cast	Melissa Roxburgh, Nick Wechsler, Patrick Sabongui, Josh McKenzie

“They have to deal with how honest they’re being with each other,” discussing the deepening relationship between Bex and Shane as season 2 progresses with emotional stakes and relationship uncertainty.

Jake Coburn, Executive Producer

Manifest Stars Reunite in Historic Crossover Moment

Josh Dallas, who played Zeke Landon on the supernatural drama Manifest, will reunite with his former co-star Melissa Roxburgh on March 18 in The Hunting Party episode 8. On Manifest, the two played sibling passengers on a mysterious plane, but here they’ll embody enemies. Dallas plays Elliott Carr, an artisan shoemaker with horrifying appetites, killing his victims by skinning them alive using only “rarest exotic leathers.”

Manifest originally aired on NBC for three seasons before Netflix revived it with a final season following massive viewership. This crossover delights fans who mourned the show’s original cancellation.

Deepening Character Dynamics and Hidden Connections

Season 1 hinted at a Bex-Shane-Oliver love triangle, but season 2 shifts focus as Bex and Shane grow closer emotionally. Viewers will explore whether this friendship deepens or sparks romance. Meanwhile, Jacob Hassani, the CIA agent played by Patrick Sabongui, carries hidden pain: his wife died years ago, and he’s been avoiding genuine grieving. The team discovers this devastating secret as new relationships form.

Intel officer Jennifer Morales, played by Sara Garcia, will reveal shocking secrets about shifting loyalties. Producers promise deeper dives into The Pit’s multiple silos, each containing different mysteries and horrors.

Why Are You Missing This Season 2 Premiere Tonight?

With 30 million viewers tuning into season 1, The Hunting Party became NBC’s breakout hit. The combination of gripping serial killer hunts, emotional character arcs, political intrigue within the government, and now the Manifest reunion makes this essential viewing. The show balances heart with horror, giving audiences reasons to care deeply about Bex’s team while delivering shocking twisted killers weekly.

Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter – Manifest reunion announced for episode 8 airing March 18
• TV Insider – Melissa Roxburgh and producers preview season 2 guest stars and storylines
• NBC – Official premiere details and cast confirmation