Apple TV’s global expansion into European originals hit an unexpected snag this week. The streaming platform — recently rebranded from Apple TV+ — has pulled all references to its highly anticipated French thriller series The Hunt (Traqués) just days before its scheduled premiere.
The decision comes amid plagiarism accusations, with reports alleging that The Hunt borrows heavily — and without credit — from the 1973 novel Shoot by American author Douglas Fairbairn. The book inspired a 1976 film of the same name directed by Harvey Hart.
What makes the situation striking is the speed and totality of Apple’s response: official trailers, production stills, and even media screeners have vanished from Apple’s website and YouTube channel, raising questions about the series’ future and the streamer’s internal review process.
Overview: What Happened to The Hunt?
Key Details About The Hunt (Traqués)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series Title | The Hunt (Traqués) |
| Platform | Apple TV |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Original Premiere Date | December 3, 2025 |
| Director | Cédric Anger |
| Production Company | Gaumont |
| Cast | Benoît Magimel, Mélanie Laurent, Damien Bonnard, Manuel Guillot |
| Current Status | Release postponed, pending plagiarism investigation |
| Alleged Source Material | Shoot (1973 novel by Douglas Fairbairn) |
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple TV removed all marketing material for the series, including trailers and images, in the days following the plagiarism claim.
A spokesperson for Gaumont, the French studio behind the project, confirmed the delay:
“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 Accusations: A Case of Uncredited Adaptation
The controversy began when French journalist Clément Garin reported that The Hunt appeared to be a direct adaptation of Fairbairn’s novel Shoot, without acknowledgement or licensing.
In Fairbairn’s story, a group of hunters accidentally sparks a violent feud with another group, which escalates into paranoia and revenge. Apple TV’s The Hunt follows a nearly identical plotline:
Franck and his friends encounter another hunting group deep in the woods. After a fatal altercation, they flee home, vowing to keep the secret. Soon, they realize they’re being stalked — the hunters have become the hunted.
The resemblance, Garin wrote, was “too precise to ignore.” Within 48 hours of his report, Apple TV had pulled the series entirely from its upcoming lineup.
Production Background: A Promising European Thriller Gone Silent
Before its removal, The Hunt had been touted as one of Apple TV’s marquee European originals for 2025. Directed by Cédric Anger, known for his work on The Blue Room and Next Time I’ll Aim for the Heart, the show promised a mix of psychological tension and rural noir.
The ensemble cast included Benoît Magimel (The Taste of Things), Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds), and Damien Bonnard (Les Misérables). Critics and fans alike anticipated a gritty, slow-burning thriller in the tradition of Tell No One and The Returned.
But with its abrupt disappearance from Apple’s promotional channels, industry insiders now fear the project could be shelved indefinitely.
“For a streamer to erase a show days before launch suggests serious legal exposure,” said Jean-Baptiste Charon, a Paris-based entertainment lawyer. “It’s not just about plagiarism — it’s about protecting global brand integrity.”
The Pattern: Apple TV’s Second Series Withdrawal in Months
This isn’t the first time Apple TV has faced turbulence over its original programming. Just months earlier, the streamer postponed Jessica Chastain’s political thriller The Savant following the assassination of controversial commentator Charlie Kirk. This real-world event mirrored plot elements from the show.
“After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone The Savant,” Apple stated at the time. “We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date.”
Chastain herself addressed the decision on Instagram:
“Apple has been an incredible partner, but we’re not aligned on pausing The Savant. I believe audiences deserve to see it and judge for themselves.”
The shelving of The Hunt now marks Apple TV’s second major content disruption in less than six months, prompting questions about whether the company’s risk management strategy is tightening amid a volatile global media climate.
Comparing the Controversies
Apple TV Series Pulled from Schedule in 2025
| Title | Genre | Reason for Delay | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Savant | Political Thriller | Sensitive real-world parallels | Postponed indefinitely |
| The Hunt (Traqués) | French Thriller | Plagiarism accusations | Under investigation |
| Pluribus | Sci-Fi (Vince Gilligan) | Released successfully | Streaming now |
The Hunt’s removal is particularly striking given Apple’s recent string of successes. The streamer earned strong reviews for Vince Gilligan’s sci-fi drama Pluribus earlier this month and is reportedly preparing several European-language originals for 2026.
The scandal could temporarily stall that momentum — or at least make Apple more cautious about acquiring non-English productions without exhaustive rights clearance.
Industry Reaction: Intellectual Property in the Spotlight
The dispute highlights a broader industry challenge as global streamers acquire and adapt local-language content at scale.
“This case underscores how vital IP vetting is in today’s streaming economy,” said Sophie Dufresne, a Paris-based entertainment rights consultant. “It only takes one overlooked copyright to derail an international release.”
Fans on social media have reacted with a mix of confusion and curiosity. Some speculate that Apple may attempt to retool or officially license the story from the Fairbairn estate, while others fear the series could vanish permanently.
What Happens Next?
Neither Apple TV nor Gaumont has indicated when or if The Hunt will return to the schedule. Legal analysts expect any resolution to depend on whether the show’s creative team can demonstrate sufficient originality from Fairbairn’s source material.
If plagiarism is confirmed, Apple may opt to quietly shelve the project, repurpose the production under a new title, or secure rights retroactively — a common strategy in high-stakes entertainment disputes.
Conclusion
Apple TV’s swift removal of The Hunt underscores how fragile international streaming launches can be when intellectual property concerns arise. While the move may protect the company legally, it also highlights the complex ethics of adaptation in a globalised entertainment landscape.
As The Hunt hangs in limbo, one truth remains: Apple’s ambitions to dominate international streaming will depend not only on innovation — but also on transparency, due diligence, and trust.
“In today’s market, originality isn’t just creative — it’s contractual,” said Jean-Baptiste Charon. “And Apple knows that better than anyone right now.”
FAQs
The show was removed amid plagiarism allegations linking it to Douglas Fairbairn’s 1973 novel Shoot.
Yes. Filming and post-production had concluded, and a two-episode premiere was set for December 3, 2025.
No official confirmation yet. The company and Gaumont are conducting internal reviews.
Possibly — if the investigation clears the production or a licensing agreement is reached.
No. The Savant, starring Jessica Chastain, was postponed earlier this year under unrelated circumstances.
