Apple TV Suspends Release of Thriller Series Over Plagiarism Claims

Apple TV has made the unexpected decision to postpone the release of its upcoming thriller series, The Hunt, just one week before its scheduled premiere on December 3, 2025. This move comes in response to serious allegations that the series’ storyline closely resembles that of Douglas Fairbairn’s 1973 novel Shoot, which was previously adapted into a film in 1976.

The plagiarism accusations were initially reported by French media expert Clement Garin, with further coverage provided by outlets including Apple Insider. Following these revelations, the French production company Gaumont, responsible for the series, confirmed that The Hunt would be shelved while an internal investigation is conducted. In a statement shared with Variety, Gaumont emphasized, “The broadcast of our series The Hunt has been temporarily postponed. We are currently conducting a thorough review to address any questions related to our production. We take intellectual property matters very seriously.”

The plot of The Hunt follows a group of friends who enjoy hunting together. However, their weekend takes a dark turn when they encounter another group of hunters who begin targeting them without explanation. When one member of their party is shot, the friends retaliate, leading to further complications as they try to keep the incident a secret. As they attempt to return to normal life, the main character, Franck, becomes increasingly paranoid that they are being hunted for revenge.

Comparatively, Shoot tells the story of Rex, a hunter who embarks on a trip in the Canadian wilderness, only to find himself and his friends under attack from rival hunters. Similar to the plot of The Hunt, Rex decides not to inform the authorities, believing that the deceased hunter’s companions will come after them. This striking resemblance has raised significant concerns regarding the originality of the upcoming series.

Originally slated for a global release, the eight-episode series had planned to debut two episodes on its premiere date, followed by weekly releases through December 31. Now, with the show in limbo, audiences are left waiting to see if it will ultimately be released or undergo significant changes following the investigation.

As the situation develops, the impact of these allegations on both the production team and Apple TV remains to be seen. The swift action taken by Gaumont demonstrates their commitment to addressing intellectual property concerns, reinforcing the seriousness of copyright issues within the entertainment industry.

The outcome of this investigation could have broader implications for the future of The Hunt, as well as for similar projects that may face scrutiny over their narrative origins.