The latest episode of NBC’s thriller The Hunting Party delivered a stunning twist that redefined the meaning of “cop turned killer.” In Season 2, Episode 2, titled “Adrian Gallo,” guest star Niecy Nash-Betts appeared as a respected detective, only for the story to reveal her as the serial murderer the team was hunting. The episode, which aired on January 15, 2026, answers the burning question with a definitive and shocking yes: Detective Erica Burke was not a copycat; she was the original killer, having framed the escapee Adrian Gallo for her own crimes.
The twist arrives early in the season, fundamentally changing how Agent Bex Henderson and her team view their mission and their own mental safety. The show’s producers and star Melissa Roxburgh have explained the major story turn and what it means for the team moving forward.
The Unraveling of Detective Erica Burke
Detective Erica Burke entered the story as a figure of sympathy and professional kinship for Bex Henderson. Portrayed by Emmy-winner Niecy Nash-Betts, Burke was introduced as the detective who originally caught the serial killer Adrian Gallo. Gallo’s signature was preserving his victims in acrylic resin, a method compared to preserving insect specimens.
Burke connected with Bex over their shared trauma, specifically the loss of partners in the line of duty. She offered Bex a rare chance to speak openly about the psychological toll of their work. In a key moment, Burke warned Bex, “Truth is, Bex, we do this job long enough, the job will leave its mark”. This line took on a horrifying new meaning by the episode’s end.
The investigation into Gallo’s latest movements led Bex and her team to work closely with Burke. However, in the final minutes, Bex discovered the terrible truth hidden in Burke’s own home: thirteen additional victims were concealed within the walls. Burke had not just been marked by the job; she had been consumed by it. She confessed that after years of studying Gallo’s crimes during the original investigation, she developed a compulsive desire to experience the killing herself, starting with her own partner.
“I think it’s a bit of a warning for her because she focuses so much on these killers… this is literally what happens when someone becomes obsessed with what they’re working on,” said Melissa Roxburgh, reflecting on what Burke represents for her character, Bex.
Behind the Shocking Story Twist
The show’s executive producers, JJ Bailey and Jake Coburn, explained the creative thinking behind this early-season shocker. They wanted to break the show’s format and involve an outsider in the investigation in a way that would dynamically challenge the team.
JJ Bailey recalled developing the idea with Coburn, stating, “The cop who’s also a killer who comes alongside our team… we wanted early in the season to break format a little bit just to show we’ve got a lot of legs with this show”.
Jake Coburn elaborated on the psychological theme, noting the idea that immersing oneself in darkness can be transformative. “We like the idea of you spend enough time staring at pictures and studying what somebody else is doing… eventually you might get to a place where you’re like, ‘You know what? I wonder what that is like’”. Coburn praised Nash-Betts’ ability to portray a character with a friendly demeanor that could convincingly shift to reveal a ferocious killer beneath the surface.
A Warning for Bex Henderson and the Team’s Future
The revelation of Burke’s crimes serves as a direct psychological challenge for Bex. Throughout the series, Bex’s skill has been her ability to get inside the minds of serial killers to catch them. Burke represents the worst-case scenario of that process—what happens if the hunter starts to identify too closely with the hunted.
At the end of the episode, Bex is visibly shaken and asks team member Shane Florence if Burke was right about the job leaving a permanent mark. Shane’s response offers the counterbalance that defines the team’s resilience. He tells Bex that darkness doesn’t have to win; you can always “turn a light on.” He says the light always wins, and for him, that light is the team—Bex, Hassani, and Morales—and even simple things like Red Vines candy.
Melissa Roxburgh discussed this dynamic, highlighting how Shane’s presence helps ground Bex. “The Shane character to her is sort of this relief. He lightens her load, he makes her laugh… I think that response is perfect… he’s not dismissing her, but he’s also going, ‘Look, this is what it is, and I want you to smile’”. This interaction suggests that while the threat of darkness is real, Bex’s support system will be her primary defense against it.
The producers confirmed that this theme of the job’s psychological toll will continue to be explored, particularly through Josh McKenzie’s character, Shane. As Shane learns more about his own identity and past this season, he will also face moral challenges and make dark decisions that he must wrestle with.
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Where to Watch The Hunting Party
New episodes of The Hunting Party air on NBC on Thursdays at 10/9c. For viewers who prefer streaming, episodes are available the next day on Peacock. The entire first season is also available to stream on Peacock for those catching up.
The series stars Melissa Roxburgh as Agent Bex Henderson, alongside Patrick Sabongui, Josh McKenzie, and Sara Garcia. The second season has introduced new leadership for the team in the form of Kari Matchett’s character, Lazarus, and her associate Jonathan Peck, played by Luke Forbes, whose true motivations remain unclear.
