Hunted (Australian TV series) explained

Alt Name:Hunted Australia
Genre:Reality
Country:Australia
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:21
Camera:Multi-camera
Runtime:47–78 minutes
Company:Endemol Shine Australia
Network:Network 10
Last Aired:present
Df:y

-->}}Hunted is an Australian reality television series based on the British reality television series of the same name. The first season premiered on Network 10 on 17 July 2022,[1] whilst the second season was renewed in August 2022 and premiered on 17 July 2023.[2] [3] In October 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, subtitled Million Dollar Heist, which is set to premiere on 12 August 2024.[4] [5]

Premise

The show is a competition series that centres on nine teams of two as they are "fugitives" on the run from highly skilled hunters.[6] Fugitives are released from a common location at the start of the hunt, with an overnight bag and $500 ($200 cash and $300 on a debit card).[7] Each pair attempts to use their wits to evade capture for 21 days in the state of Victoria.[6] [8]

Meanwhile, a team of hunters attempt to locate and capture the fugitives using replicated "powers of the state" such as ANPR and CCTV. The hunters are also given access to the fugitive's bank accounts and phone records.[9] 24 hours before the end of the hunt, the remaining fugitives call a given phone number to access information about the "extraction point", a location they must reach by the end of the hunt. While the hunters are not informed of the extraction point, fugitive's current locations are disclosed to the hunters once they call the phone number. Any fugitives able to evade capture and make it to the extraction point in time win a share of the grand prize of $100,000.[9] [10]

The format was changed slightly for the third season to begin with a heist, with the season subtitled Million Dollar Heist and having a similar premise to The Heist. The contestants participated in a heist to steal up to before beginning their time on the run, with the potential prize money for the series consisting of the money collected during the heist.

Hunters

Headquarters

Ground Hunters

Contestants

Season 1

Eighteen fugitives were chosen and began the hunt at Federation Square in Melbourne. The Inverloch Coastal Reserve in Inverloch served as the extraction point.

Fugitive[15] Relationship to teammate Age Hometown Result
Friends33Perth, WArowspan="2"
Friends35Parkville, VIC
Friends31Scarborough, WA
Friends35Keilor East, VIC
Engaged27Bondi, NSWrowspan="2"
30Bondi, NSW
Friends33Craigieburn, VICrowspan="2"
34Craigieburn, VIC
Friends37Ultimo, NSWrowspan="2"
26Glebe, NSW
Aunt & Niece56Williamstown, SArowspan="2"
27Adelaide, SA
Friends22Mount Annan, NSWrowspan="2"
24Surry Hills, NSW
Friends38Robina, QLDrowspan="2"
28Bundall, QLD
Sisters-in-law56Mermaid Beach, QLDrowspan="2"
53Pelican Waters, QLD

Season 2

Twenty contestants were chosen and began at North Wharf, Docklands, in the Port of Melbourne. The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Yarra Park, Melbourne served as the extraction point.

Fugitive[16] Relationship to teammate Age Hometown Result
Friends31Wyoming, NSWrowspan="2"
Couple23Footscray, VIC
Father & Son29Ringwood, VICrowspan="2"
52Narromine, NSW
Friends29Waratah East, NSW
Couple25Footscray, VIC
Friends43Subiaco, WArowspan="2"
32Dianella, WA
Friends41Robina, QLDrowspan="2"
38Innes Park, QLD
Siblings37Abbotsford, VICrowspan="2"
36Truganina, VIC
Friends27South Morang, VICrowspan="2"
26South Morang, VIC
Trainer & Boxer50Newstead, QLDrowspan="2"
24Hamilton, QLD
Aunt & Niece46Castle Hill, QLDrowspan="2"
Aunt & Niece22Bohie Plains, QLD
Friends59Mornington, VICrowspan="2"
54Brighton East, VIC

Episodes

Season 2

Ratings

Season 2

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Hunted. 30 June 2022. TV Tonight. 12 August 2022.
  2. Web site: Knox. David. Auditions: Hunted. 3 August 2022. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 7 July 2023.
  3. Web site: Knox. David. Returning: Hunted. 6 July 2023. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 7 July 2023.
  4. Web site: 2024 Upfronts: 10 / Paramount+. 24 October 2023. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 7 June 2024. en-AU.
  5. Web site: Knox. David. Returning: Hunted. 23 July 2024. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 23 July 2024.
  6. Web site: The Manhunt Begins.. 30 June 2022. 10 Play. 18 July 2022.
  7. Episode 1. Hunted. Hunted (Australian TV series). Network 10. 18 July 2022.
  8. Web site: Hunted: Everything you need to know. mediaweek. 9 August 2022. 16 July 2022.
  9. Web site: Hunted Australia. . 1 August 2022.
  10. Episode 7. Hunted. Hunted (Australian TV series). Network 10. 31 July 2022.
  11. Web site: Hunted: Everything you need to know about the Hunters. 14 July 2022. Mediaweek. 17 July 2022.
  12. Web site: 'I've Lost Sleep': Hunted Australia's Ben Owen Says Fugitives Turned Him 'Nearly Completely Grey'. 11 July 2022 . 10 Play. 5 August 2022.
  13. Web site: Hunted Australia: New season, new fugitives, new hunter. 12 June 2023. Mediaweek. 4 July 2023.
  14. Web site: Bruton. Jodie. Hunted Australia's Graeme Simpfendorfer overwhelmed with launch turnout in Albury. 18 July 2023. The Border Mail. Australian Community Media. 19 July 2023. subscription.
  15. Web site: Perry. Kevin. Meet the cast of HUNTED AUSTRALIA 2022. TV Blackbox. 17 July 2022. 17 July 2022.
  16. Web site: Knox. David. Hunted 2023: Meet the cast. 15 July 2023. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 16 July 2023.