Malin Åkerman Says Melania Trump Inspired ‘Hunting Wives’ Role

For her latest role as a politician’s wife on The Hunting Wives, Malin Åkerman went straight to the top for her character’s inspiration.

The actress, who stars as mysterious socialite Margo Banks in the Rebecca Cutter-created Netflix series, revealed that the team referenced Melania Trump when she was developing her take on the character.

“That was the only reference, really,” she told Vulture. “Other than that, it’s just high society. I’ve mingled with aristocrats and high-society people and seen the games that go into it. For lack of a better word, I wouldn’t say ‘authenticity’ is how those people lead.”

Like Melania, Margo “came into a marriage to this rich man as one woman,” only to have to live up to new expectations as he pursues a Texas gubernatorial run.

Based on the novel by May Cobb, The Hunting Wives stars Brittany Snow as Sophie O’Neil, a young wife and mother who moves with her family to the fictional East Texas town of Maple Brook, where she falls into the web of seductive socialite Margo and her elite circle of housewives, each harboring their own dangerous secret. Her involvement with the group makes her the prime suspect in the killing of a local teenage girl.

Following its premiere last month on Netflix, the show was the most-streamed series in the U.S. for its first week, racking up 2 billion minutes viewed. With the finale setting up the potential for more episodes, Deadline reported that the cast has options for more seasons.