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John Corbett delivers a chilling performance tonight as serial killer Xander Wax in “The Hunting Party” Season 2 finale. The 64-year-old actor plays a biochemist who uses lethal animal venoms to poison unsuspecting victims. Agent Bex Henderson faces her deadliest hunt yet at 10/9c on NBC.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Air Time: Tonight, Thursday May 7 at 10/9c on NBC and Peacock
- Character: Xander Wax, a highly educated biochemist confirmed to have killed at least 10 people
- Method: Uses lethal animal venoms as poisons on public objects like elevator buttons and gas pumps
- Inspiration: Character based on the unsolved 1982 Chicago Tylenol Murders case
Northern Exposure Star Takes on Deadly Role
John Corbett, best known for playing Chris Stevens in the beloved 1990s series “Northern Exposure,” brings menacing energy to the finale. He recently reprised his iconic role as Aidan Shaw in the “Sex and the City” reboot “And Just Like That.” Tonight’s guest appearance marks a dramatic departure into pure villainy.
The West Virginia native, who turns 65 this May, has built a career exploring complex characters. His portrayal of Xander Wax showcases the actor’s range in embodying psychological danger and twisted logic. Series creator JJ Bailey praised how Corbett transformed the character’s chaotic methods into something truly unsettling.
John Corbett guest stars in Hunting Party tonight as serial killer Xander Wax
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A Biochemist’s Sinister M.O.
Xander Wax operates with chilling randomness, leaving poisoned objects in public spaces with no regard for who encounters them. According to Agent Bex, he “would leave neurotoxins on public objects for random people to interact with.” His targets include gas station pumps, elevator buttons, and sugar packets in diners.
The Hunting Party team must track a killer whose education in biochemistry makes him exceptionally lethal. Confirmed victims reach at least 10 people, though authorities suspect the true number is far higher. His methods make deaths appear as random heart attacks, complicating the investigation exponentially.
Inspired by Real 1982 Murders
The character draws inspiration from America’s most infamous unsolved poisoning case. In 1982, someone laced Tylenol bottles with cyanide on Chicago-area shelves, killing at least 7 people. The perpetrator was never caught, and the case remains open at Arlington Heights Police Department.
Series creator Bailey explained: “At any point you open a bottle of Tylenol now, there’s 15 layers of packaging and security, and it’s because they used to not have that.” The show adapted the killer’s appreciation for chaos into Xander Wax’s trap-setting psychology. Corbett adds a “swagger” that makes the character simultaneously intelligent and unpredictable.
| Episode Detail | Information |
| Episode Number | Season 2, Episode 13 “Xander Wax” |
| Air Date | Thursday, May 7, 2026 |
| Network | NBC and Peacock (next day) |
| Guest Star | John Corbett |
“He feels like two sort of different characters, but he adds this little bit of swagger to it that I think is pretty fun.”
JJ Bailey, Series Creator
The Hunt Concludes Tonight
Melissa Roxburgh returns as determined Agent Bex Henderson, alongside Josh McKenzie as Shane Florence and Patrick Sabongui as Agent Jacob Hassani. The finale brings Season 2 to an explosive culmination as the team confronts their most dangerous target yet.
The Hunting Party has delivered a thrilling sophomore season full of twisted killers and impossible choices. Tonight’s finale proves that sometimes the most terrifying villains aren’t born in “The Pit,” they’re created by twisted brilliance and total indifference to human life.
What Makes Tonight’s Episode Must-Watch Television?
Xander Wax represents a new breed of danger for the show, combining intellectual sophistication with complete randomness. Unlike killers motivated by rage or revenge, he simply enjoys watching chaos unfold. Corbett’s casting brings gravitas and quiet menace to the role.
Two complete seasons now stream on Netflix and Peacock, with the finale dropping on Peacock May 8. Tune in tonight at 10/9c on NBC to witness how Agent Bex and her team capture one of television’s most disturbing antagonists.
Sources
- NBC Insider – John Corbett’s character details and 1982 Tylenol Murders inspiration
- TV Insider – Season 2 finale exclusive sneak peek and air times
- Bleeding Cool – The Hunting Party episode preview and guest star announcement
