Apple TV+’s ‘The Hunt’ Secures Fresh Premiere Date After Plagiarism Investigation

Apple TV+ has set a new premiere date for the French thriller series The Hunt (originally titled Traqués in France), following a three-month delay caused by a plagiarism investigation. The series will now debut on March 4, 2026.

Plagiarism Allegations and Investigation

The series was initially scheduled to launch on December 3, 2025, but was pulled from the schedule in November 2025 after concerns were raised regarding potential plagiarism. The investigation, conducted by production company Gaumont, centered on similarities between The Hunt and Douglas Fairbairn’s 1973 novel Shoot, which was as well adapted into a 1976 film.

Gaumont confirmed that the series, initially presented as an original work by creator and director Cédric Anger, was found to be based on Fairbairn’s existing work. The company immediately took steps to identify the rights holders and secure the necessary authorizations. Gaumont emphasized its commitment to respecting intellectual property and authors’ rights, stating that this can only be achieved through trust and transparency with creative artists. [Source: The Hollywood Reporter]

About ‘The Hunt’

The Hunt follows Franck, played by Benoît Magimel, and his hunting companions as they find themselves targeted by another group of hunters. The synopsis details a scenario where a member of Franck’s group is shot, leading to a retaliatory attack and a desperate attempt to conceal the incident. Franck then begins to suspect they are being watched and hunted for revenge. [Source: The Hollywood Reporter]

Resolution and Updated Credits

Following the investigation, Gaumont reached agreements with the estates connected to the novel and film Shoot. The series is now officially billed as being based on Fairbairn’s work, and the credits have been updated to reflect this. [Source: Soap Central]

The Hunt is a six-episode series. [Source: Soap Central]

Recent Apple TV+ Scheduling Changes

The Hunt is not the only series to have experienced a recent schedule change at Apple TV+. The Jessica Chastain series, The Savant, was also pulled from the schedule prior to its premiere. [Source: The Hollywood Reporter]