Applications now open for new series of Hunted

Channel 4 has commissioned two new series of the Grierson award-winning and Bafta nominated Hunted & Celebrity Hunted from Banijay UK label Shine TV.

Series eight of Hunted is set to film this year, while the sixth celebrity version recently concluded. Hunted continues to be a gripping, edge-of-your-seat factual thriller, in which civilians and celebrities alike must evade detection and capture to be in with a chance of winning a share of the prize. The fugitives are tracked by some of the world’s best elite hunters comprising of serving and former police officers, some of the best cyber and OSINT experts in the UK working alongside ex-military and intelligence services personnel. Fugitives can run, but can they hide undetected, when under intense psychological pressure?

Series seven of Hunted, which broadcast last year, consolidated at 2.4m after 28 days. It was above Channel 4’s 28-day slot average market share by 70% for All Individuals, and performed particularly well for Adults 16-34, doubling the broadcaster’s slot. Celebrity Hunted, which recently finished, consolidated at 1.85m viewers. It came in above C4’s slot average share by 43% and performed particularly well for 16-34s, almost doubling the slot average. It also outperformed the slot average across all key demographics.

Leon Wilson, CEO Shine TV & Zeppotron, said:

“We’re thrilled to be back into production on two new series of Hunted in 2025 for Channel 4. The series was co-developed by our brilliant new Director of Programmes, Matt Bennett, who I’m delighted to say will once again be overseeing the show. Viewers are also in for a treat with the Celebrity version, with an ace cast of new celeb fugitives raring to go on run.”

Ian Dunkley, Commissioning Editor Documentaries & Factual Entertainment for C4, added:

“It’s great to be returning one of Channel 4’s most popular brands. Expect thrills, spills and the latest cutting-edge tech, as once again the fugitives discover just how hard it is to escape the investigative skills of a seasoned team of hunters.”

Both series will be overseen by Matt Bennett, who has been promoted to the newly created Director of Programmes role for Shine TV. The executive producers are Emma Young & Mark Wildash. The series editor is Guy Simmonds, with Ryan Daly series producing along with Charlotte Smith. The production executives are Katy Wisloki and Helen Robson. Lisa Douglas is the celebrity talent executive and James Alexander is the senior casting producer.

Matt, who was previously Senior Executive Producer, joined Shine TV in 2015 from Tiger Aspect where he developed adventure fact-ent shows with Ross Kemp & Joanna Lumley, earning him two BAFTA nominations for the series Extreme World and Ross Kemp in Afghanistan.  In his new role, Matt will be responsible for growing Shine TV’s slate of original productions, developing existing Banijay formats for the UK market and continuing to produce and deliver Shine’s existing ambitious series.

Matt first met Shine when they marooned him on a tropical island to shoot and direct the BAFTA/RTS award-winning first series of The Island with Bear Grylls for C4. He is currently overseeing the ITV commission The Summit along with executive producer Mandy Morris, which has just completed filming in New Zealand. During his time at Shine he has been responsible for co-developing Hunted/Celebrity Hunted for C4 and helping it grow into a successful global brand. He also co-developed two series of The Heist for SKY as well as partnering with celebrity chef Rick Stein to deliver multiple hit series for BBC Two, Rick Stein’s Cornwall & Rick Stein’s Food Stories.

Hunted is currently accepting applications from pairs for its brand new series – if you think you’ve got what it takes to go on the run and become a real-life fugitive, you can apply at www.huntedapplications.com. Applications close May 31 2025. Applicants must be 18+ when applying.