If your teen spent any part of the last few years binging Manifest on Netflix, they’re already familiar with the lead of this series. The Hunting Party is a "high-concept" procedural. In TV speak, that means it’s not just a random crime of the week; there’s a massive, overarching mystery involving a top-secret, off-the-books prison that houses the world’s most dangerous killers.

When these killers escape, a small, specialized team—led by a brilliant investigator with a complicated past—has to track them down before they disappear forever. It’s fast-paced, a little bit dark, and designed to keep you clicking "Next Episode" (or tuning in every week, if we’re still doing the linear TV thing).

The cast is a mix of "I know that face from that one show" actors and some solid newcomers. Here is the breakdown of the main players your kids will be seeing on screen:

The anchor of the show. Roxburgh played Michaela Stone in Manifest, so she has a massive following among Gen Z and Gen Alpha viewers who discovered that show during its second life on streaming. In The Hunting Party, she plays Bex Locke, an ex-FBI agent who was recruited for this secret task force because she has a unique "inside" perspective on how these killers think.

Parents might remember him from the early 2000s hit Roswell or the soapy drama Revenge. He brings a bit of "gritty veteran" energy to the cast. He’s the kind of actor who makes a procedural feel grounded.

Coming off his role in La Brea, McKenzie is another familiar face for NBC loyalists. He tends to play characters with a lot of physical action, so expect him to handle the "chase" part of the manhunt.

Known for her work in the Hallmark series Ride and The Flash, Garcia adds a fresh dynamic to the team. She’s often the one bringing a more modern, tech-savvy or analytical edge to the group.

Another The Flash alum (he played Captain David Singh). He’s a veteran character actor who usually plays the "authority figure" who is either helping the heroes or getting in their way with red tape.

Check out our full guide on the best crime procedurals for teens

Let’s be real: the "serial killer" genre is massive right now. Between the explosion of true crime podcasts like Crime Junkie and the endless supply of Netflix documentaries, kids are weirdly comfortable with dark themes.

The Hunting Party taps into that curiosity but wraps it in a fictional, action-movie bow. It’s not "brain rot" like some of the weirdness they find on YouTube, but it’s definitely "junk food" TV—it’s meant to be thrilling and a bit stressful.

If your kid is into Escape Rooms or games like Among Us where you have to figure out who the "bad guy" is, this show is going to appeal to that same part of their brain.

While NBC is a broadcast network (meaning they can’t go full HBO with the gore), The Hunting Party deals with serial killers. That means you can expect:

Ages 10-12 (Tweens): Probably a bit much for most. Unless your tween is already a seasoned fan of shows like Stranger Things, the serial killer aspect might lead to some "is there a killer in my closet?" vibes at bedtime. Ages 13-15 (Young Teens): This is the target demographic. If they’ve seen The Hunger Games or Outer Banks, they can handle the intensity here. Ages 16+ (Older Teens): Totally fine. They’ve likely seen much worse on TikTok.

Ask our chatbot for a list of shows like Manifest but for younger kids

NBC shows usually end up on Peacock the next day. This is where the digital wellness part comes in. Procedurals are notoriously "sticky." They often end on cliffhangers that make it really hard for a teen to say, "Okay, one episode is enough."

If you’re going to let them watch, maybe make it a family thing. Shows like this are actually great for "co-viewing" because you can talk about the plot holes (there will be many) and the ethics of the characters' choices. It’s a lot better than them watching 45 minutes of Skibidi Toilet alone in their room.

If you decide to let your teen dive into The Hunting Party, here are a few conversation starters to keep things "Screenwise":

The Hunting Party isn't educational in the traditional sense, but it's a solid piece of "popcorn TV" that can be a bridge between kid content and adult dramas. With a cast led by Melissa Roxburgh, it’s almost guaranteed to be a hit with the Manifest crowd.

Just keep an eye on the "creep factor" for younger or more sensitive kids. It’s a thriller, after all—it’s designed to make your heart race.

Ask our chatbot about the best parental controls for Peacock