Apple TV Pulls French Crime Drama Amid Copycat Claims
A much-anticipated French crime series has been yanked from Apple TV’s schedule just days before its debut, as the show faces serious accusations of lifting its plot from a 1970s novel. The production company is now investigating.
Apple TV has quietly dropped its upcoming French crime series, The Hunt, from its December line-up after allegations surfaced that the show’s storyline was pinched from a decades-old novel. The Hunt, also known as Traqués, was set to premiere on Wednesday, 3 December, but the streaming service has now put the release on ice with no new date in sight. The show’s creator and director, Cédric Anger, is at the centre of claims that the plot closely mirrors Douglas Fairbairn’s 1973 novel, Shoot, as first reported by Apple Insider.
Production Company Responds to Plagiarism Concerns
The show’s producer later confirmed the delay, stating that the broadcast had been “temporarily postponed” while a thorough review is underway. In a statement shared with Variety, Gaumont said they’re taking intellectual property issues seriously and are looking into any questions about the production. The company stressed that they’re committed to addressing the matter properly before moving forward.
Striking Similarities Between Show and Novel
Comparing the two stories, the overlap is hard to ignore. The Hunt stars Benoît Magimel and Mélanie Laurent, and follows Franck and his mates on a hunting trip that takes a dark turn when they’re suddenly attacked by another group. After one of Franck’s friends is shot, the group retaliates, shooting one of their attackers. They manage to get away and agree to keep the incident under wraps. But in the days that follow, Franck becomes convinced he’s being watched, possibly hunted by those seeking payback.
Fairbairn’s Shoot tells a remarkably similar tale. The novel centres on Rex and his friends, who also head out for a hunting trip and run into a rival group. When a shot is fired at Rex’s party, his mate fires back, killing one of the other hunters. The group escapes and decides to keep the shooting a secret, but Rex is sure the dead man’s mates are out for revenge, prompting him to return to the scene.
Previous Adaptations and Ongoing Review
Shoot was previously adapted into a 1976 film directed by Harvey Hart, featuring Cliff Robertson, Ernest Borgnine, and Henry Silva. With the current controversy, The Hunt’s future remains up in the air as the production company continues its investigation. For those keen on crime dramas, there are still plenty of other top picks to check out on Apple TV while this one’s fate is decided.