Facing off
‘We Hunt Together’ redefines crime duos
What happens when a witty, drop-dead charming possible psychopath meets a broke, soft-hearted and gullible former child soldier? Hermione Corfield (“Sea Fever,” 2019) plays the former, Freddy, while Dipo Ola (“Baghdad Central”) plays the latter, Baba — together, they make a lustful and deadly duo. Sparks fly, both literally and figuratively, in the new six-episode police drama “We Hunt Together.” Premiering Sunday, Aug. 9, on Showtime, the series has an exceptional cast, which includes Eve Myles (“Keeping Faith”) as Detective Sergeant Lola Franks and Babou Ceesay (“Dark Money”) as Detective Investigator Mendy.
“We Hunt Together” is a compelling spin on the traditional cat-and-mouse chase and offers a deep, dark look into just how fatal the right combination of sexual attraction and emotional exploitation can be. As Franks and Mendy track the deadly Freddy and Baba, you’ll find yourself at the edge of your seat frequently.
Though the cat-andmouse dynamic is central, it’s not as cut and dried as other stories of the same genre. Adding a crucial dimension to the series is the tricky relationship between Franks and Mendy. They find themselves working together on a high-profile murder case, and though their cooperation is vital to their success, Mendy’s background in police anti-corruption doesn’t sit well with Franks. The idea that people can never be truly held accountable for their actions plagues Franks, and it’s a conviction that Mendy finds troubling. Their conflicting views create complications throughout the investigation, and the situation is further complicated by Franks’ difficulty overcoming her own personal issues.
Ultimately, this is the kind of crime drama that gets you rooting for the hunters and the hunted at the same time. You’ll fall for Franks and Mendy as the good guys, of course, but Freddy and Baba are oddly endearing, too, and their quirks and vulnerabilities will reel you in. Layered characters and some seriously shocking twists really elevate this series.
The rest of the cast includes guest actors Nigel Harman (“Mount Pleasant”), Kris Marshall (“Trick or Treat,” 2019), Steffan Rhodri (“Last Summer,” 2018), Vicki Pepperdine (“The Windsors”), Neil Stuke (“Silk”) and Perry Fitzpatrick (“I Am”).
The series premiered in the U.K. back in May, and the reviews have been exceptional. Fans and critics lauded the performances of the four lead actors, the complexity of the characters, the compelling plotlines and the overall production value of the series. It’s no wonder Showtime acquired the rights to broadcast the series on this side of the pond.
“We Hunt Together” was penned by Gaby Hull, whose credits include the 2019 hit series “Cheat,” which also revolved around a relationship that was as steamy as it was criminal. In “Cheat,” Hull focused on the toxic psychology between a university professor and her student. In “We Hunt Together,” Hull transforms the same energy into an unorthodox suspense drama driven by a hunting game between two couples on opposing ends of the legal spectrum. The new series breaks long-held traditions and takes the genre to a whole new level.
Hull has openly discussed using his fascination with the concept of love — not necessarily romantic — and how it disrupts patterns of dysfunction and abuse to shape his stories. He has stated that “We Hunt Together” is a peculiar story that requires a thematic approach. Having a clear vision of how the story ends helped him make the script as airtight as possible. In fact, he says it’s the most effective way to do it: ensuring procedural blocks are well established throughout the plot is critical, and engaging hooks and procedural beats keep people craving more, while the catand-mouse game grips the audience the entire time.
“We Hunt Together” is directed by Carl Tibbetts, who was also one of the directors of the 2019 Amazon Prime series “The Feed” and 2018’s BBC miniseries “The Woman in White.” Tibbetts also worked on the second season of “The Tunnel,” featuring Stephen Dillane (“Game of Thrones”), AMC’s “Humans” and the Emmy-nominated Netflix series “Hemlock Grove.”
“We Hunt Together” is executive-produced by Philippa Collie Cousins for UKTV and BAFTA-winning Hilary Salmon, Anne Pivcevic and Esther Springer for BBC Studios, with Lisa Osborne as series producer. After “Traces,” the crime series is the second original scripted drama of its kind to be commissioned for Alibi. It’s also the newest on UKTV’s widening range of scripted series, which includes “Flack,” featuring Oscar winner Anna Paquin (“The Irishman,” 2019). “Flack” aired early this year in the U.S. on Pop.
UKTV’s drama commissioner, Philippa Collie Cousins, has compared “We Hunt Together” to the 1992 Tony Scott classic “True Romance,” penned by Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon A Time ... In Hollywood,” 2019). In her own words, Collie Cousins describes the drama as a “fresh, funny and dark roller-coaster ride.”
Don’t miss the chance to get on this wild ride when “We hunt Together” premieres Sunday, Aug. 9, on Showtime.