Aapple TV series 'The Hunt' withdrawn amid investigation into plagiarism allegations

Apple TV has withdrawn the upcoming French thriller The Hunt (Traqués) from its December schedule as producer Gaumont investigates allegations that the series replicates elements of the 1973 novel Shoot by Douglas Fairbairn, which was later adapted into a 1976 film. The claims were initially raised by French media commentator Clement Garin and reported by Apple Insider.

Gaumont confirmed in a statement that the series has been “temporarily postponed” while the company undertakes a review.

The statement added: “We are currently conducting a thorough review to address any questions related to our production. We take intellectual property matters very seriously.” Apple TV has removed promotional materials for the series from its platform.

The Hunt had been scheduled to premiere globally on Wednesday, December 3, with two episodes released initially, followed by weekly instalments until the end of the month.

The series, created and directed by Cédric Anger, features Benoît Magimel and Mélanie Laurent and is produced by Isabelle Degeorges, Clémentine Vaudaux, Alexis Barqueiro and Sidonie Dumas for Gaumont.

The cast also includes Damien Bonnard, Manuel Guillot, Cédric Appietto, Angelyna Danabe Mignot, Paul Beaurepaire, Yann Goven, Sarah Pachoud and Patrick de Vallette.

The logline for The Hunt follows Franck, played by Magimel, whose regular weekend outing with friends turns violent after another group of hunters begins targeting them without warning.

When one of Franck’s group is shot, his friends retaliate before fleeing and choosing to conceal the incident. As Franck attempts to resume daily life with his wife Krystel, portrayed by Laurent, he becomes increasingly convinced that they are being watched and pursued by hunters seeking revenge.

Comparisons have been drawn to Fairbairn’s Shoot, which centres on a group of hunters whose encounter with a rival party spirals into escalating tensions and preparations for further conflict, prompting the current investigation into narrative similarities.