The Hunting Party gets a disappointing update as Season 2 premiere is delayed by NBC

In a surprising turn, NBC has officially removed The Hunting Party from its 2025 fall premiere lineup. Fans hoping for the second season to debut this September will have to wait a bit longer, as the network announced the show's return has been pushed back to midseason.

NBC listed it as part of its new fall 2025 lineup, which was unveiled in late July. The decision to skip the September premiere has sparked outrage among fans, and no explanation has been provided yet for the scheduling change.

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NBC announces fall 2025 schedule without The Hunting Party

NBC's new schedule confirms fall premieres for Law & Order, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and The Irrational, all debuting the week of September 23, 2025. The show is not listed among those referred to as returning early.

This delay is affecting several of the network's drama series, most notably The Hunting Party, which had a strong premiere last spring. The network had previously announced, months before its renewal, that Season 2 would return, and it was one of NBC's highest-rated scripted dramas heading into the upcoming season. The delay now pushes the premiere to sometime in 2026.

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What the delay means for The Hunting Party

The delay of the second season does not indicate cancellation; it only means a later premiere. Although no exact return date has been announced, NBC has scheduled it for its midseason lineup, meaning it will still premiere during the 2025–2026 television season.

Such delays often happen for strategic or logistical reasons. Networks may reschedule show returns to improve ratings during less competitive periods. In this case, it would mean a less prominent midseason slot with more promotional opportunities and less competition.

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Not the only one: Other shows also moved to midseason

The Hunting Party isn't the only show affected by NBC's fall shake-up. NBC's new drama, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, is also on hold for a midseason launch. Both shows are now added to NBC's early 2026 lineup, which is already in production.

These delays are part of a trend where network space shows are spread out over seasons to generate interest year-round.

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Why was The Hunting Party delayed?

No official reason has been given for the postponement of The Hunting Party. NBC hasn't attributed the issue to production woes or creative revisions, and no off-screen conflicts with the cast and crew have been reported.

Unlike last season's scheduling delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, this seems to be purely strategic. Since The Hunting Party had already finished filming the initial episodes of Season 2, keeping the show on hold suggests NBC is stacking its lineup to avoid overwhelming viewers in the fall and to capitalize on midseason opportunities.

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What's next for The Hunting Party?

For now, The Hunting Party viewers will have to wait until NBC officially announces its midseason schedule in 2025. Details about Season 2, including story developments, new cast members, and air times, remain undisclosed.

Despite the hiatus, NBC has confirmed that the show will return and continue to be part of its franchise dramas. Fans can look forward to the second season resuming where it left off, with its multi-lead cast still in place.

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Viewer reaction and industry context

Delays like this are common in the television industry, but for viewers who watch serialized dramas, they can be quite frustrating. Some might see the midseason premiere as a bonus during the off months, while others feel let down after waiting nearly a year for more episodes.

From a business perspective, NBC's delay in launching the show highlights the network's effort to develop programming strategies that adapt to changing viewer habits, online competition, and short-lived advertising markets.

Also read: Everything we know about The Hunting Party Season 2