I was prey in Channel 4’s new reality series The Hunt – here’s how I survived

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I never expected to be running through a muddy Bulgarian forest, but that’s exactly what happened to me and the cast of last year’s show, The Hunt: Prey vs Predator.

A new series starts tonight on Channel 4, bringing together 10 people from across the UK. They’ll compete in challenges that test both their physical endurance and mental skills, with a top prize of up to £100,000 at stake.

Last summer in northern Bulgaria, I received the gear I needed for a game called The Hunt. This included a special armband, or “gauntlet,” which used Bluetooth to display a map, my progress in the game, and how much money I’d earned.

Lee McMurray, a commissioning editor at Channel 4, described the use of Bluetooth devices as a huge and complicated project. He explained that it was truly innovative, noting that players wore special gauntlets equipped with a custom app. This app helped them find their way through the forest and locate the challenges.

Looking back, my inability to read a map certainly didn’t improve things, even after ten years as a Girl Guide. But then I realized something important: I wasn’t actually participating in a real situation!

The show features players competing as both hunters and the hunted. Each day, those trying to avoid capture search for money, while the hunters try to eliminate them. The last player remaining wins the entire prize.

Tonight’s episode reveals the initial group of hunters and those they’re chasing. However, remember that anyone’s role can change at any time, as the game allows.

While animals try to escape being caught in the forest, players can also complete tasks to earn money. One of these tasks, which viewers will see soon, is called ‘The Drop’.

The Drop might seem similar to the quick-reaction games families play during the holidays, but this was much more complex and surprisingly difficult!

I was disappointed to learn the prize money wasn’t awarded. I believe I would have done well in the competition if it had focused solely on skill-based challenges, like catching falling sticks – something I’m pretty good at!

It’s pretty obvious I was trying to escape from someone who wanted the money I won – just look at all the mud on my pants!

The games aren’t just played out in the forest; the main planning and strategy happen back at base camp. At the end of each day, players return to camp where those who’ve been eliminated are removed from the game.

This is where the contestants who weren’t being hunted got to decide which of the hunters would be eliminated. We didn’t discuss the details of how to break up teams – that would have made the show much longer – but the base camp was designed to look modern and futuristic, which was exactly what the show’s creators wanted.

McMurray, a big science fiction enthusiast, drew inspiration from various sources for his work. He mentioned influences like ‘Dune’ and ‘The Hunger Games,’ and pointed to George Lucas’s vision for ‘Star Wars’ – a futuristic aesthetic that feels both modern and realistically worn.

I was totally ready to dive in – a little messy from being outdoors, and I’d just seen the new character photos that reminded me of ‘The Hunger Games’! It was time to watch the first hunt play out live. I won’t give anything away, but trust me, this is a series you absolutely need to check out.

The Hunt: Prey vs Predator begins on Sunday 22 March at 9pm on Channel 4.

Don’t miss The Hunt: Prey vs Predator! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob app – download now for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-03-22 13:13