I do believe that an expression of mazel tov is in order now that Amazon Studios has announced a second season pick-up for their original series HUNTERS, the hit conspiracy thriller created by David Weil and executive produced by Jordan Peele.
The debut season of HUNTERS followed a diverse band of Nazi hunters living in 1977 New York City. The Hunters, as they're known, have discovered that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among us and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the United States. In addition to Al Pacino, Logan Lerman, and Jerrika Hinton, the series also stars Josh Radnor, Kate Mulvany, Tiffany Boone, Greg Austin, Louis Ozawa, Carol Kane, Saul Rubinek, Dylan Baker, and Lena Olin. Season one of HUNTERS, produced by Amazon Studios, Peele's Monkeypaw Productions and Sonar Entertainment, was executive produced by David Weil who served as co-showrunner alongside executive producer Nikki Toscano. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon directed the pilot and was an executive producer alongside Win Rosenfeld from Monkeypaw Productions; Nelson McCormick; and David Ellender from Sonar Entertainment.
"I am beyond grateful to Jen and the Amazon family for their continued extraordinary support of Hunters," said Weil. "Alongside our magnificent cast, incredible crew, and brilliant writers and producers, I am more eager than ever to share the next chapter of the Hunters saga with the world."
"With Hunters, David Weil's bold vision and fearless imagination powered a thrilling, twisty, action-packed first season that engaged Prime Video customers around the world," said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios, "We are thrilled that David, Jordan and the hunters will be back with us for more."
As it happens, Weil's inspiration for HUNTERS came from his grandmother, who was also a Holocaust survivor. While speaking with Deadline during the outlet's COntender TV event in June, Weil said, “She would tell us (my brothers and I) about her experiences during the war. They were stories of great good versus terrifying evil. But they were stories of hope and courage and survival,” he said. “Growing up, I could see those stories through the prism of superheroes and comic books. That’s how I understood who she was, this superhero in my mind.”
Season one of HUNTERS is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video right now. For some, the show offers something of a fantasy scenario for those who delight in seeing Nazis brought into the light and stomped down with a mighty hand. Some would even go so far as to say that the series is cathartic, because hey, who doesn't like seeing Nazis get what's been coming to them?