The fifth series of Channel 4’s award-winning hit series Hunted begins on Thursday night, after filming in Bristol last year with assistance from Bristol Film Office.
A mum on the run, a 78-year-old grandfather with a mysterious past and a couple of childhood sweethearts are amongst the ten ordinary British citizens being pursued by an elite group of determined ex-military, law enforcement and security forces. For the first time, the fugitives have been stripped of all personal belongings and money – all they have is the clothes on their backs. They will need to survive for 25 days relying only on their networks and the kindness of strangers if they are to have any chance of winning a share of £100,000.
But before that, their first challenge is to identify the unknown city they’ve been dropped in and escape the all-seeing eye of the helicopter hunting them from above. Made by Shine TV for Channel 4, Hunted is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat factual entertainment thriller. The fugitives are tracked by some of the world’s elite hunters, including former Scotland Yard detectives, special services operatives, ex-military and intelligence services personnel. They can run, but can they hide for a month undetected, when under intense pressure?
It will come as no surprise to Hunted fans that secrecy was the most important factor during planning, preparation and filming for this series. Hunted is an ambitious and dramatic series that has become incredibly popular with audiences, it was fantastic to work with Shine TV to land the fugitives in Bristol for the starting point of this new series.
Natalie Moore, Bristol Film Office
Bristol Film Office arranged several visits to filming locations in the city to discuss arrangements for the challenging shoot under major secrecy. Filming took place in May 2019 in the vicinity of the A Bond Tobacco warehouse near the Create Centre on Cumberland Road. Different types of access were arranged to the building to enable camera point and access to the Metro bus route, and the area was kept clear during the shoot.
The A, B and C Bond warehouses were built on Bristol’s Floating Harbour between 1905 and 1919. At a time when tobacco imports were big business, the famous red warehouses were built to store tobacco until duties had been paid. The three warehouses have become historic Bristol landmarks and are now Grade II listed buildings owned by Bristol City Council.
Hunted begins on Channel 4 at 9pm on Thursday 13th February. Applications to become a fugitive for Hunted 2021 close on Sunday 23rd February – apply at http://www.huntedapplications.com/