Hunters Season 2 was confirmed in August 2020 and debuted on 13 January 2023 on Amazon Prime Video. Following a setback during their mission in Europe, the Hunters regroup to track down one of history's most notorious figures, Adolf Hitler, who is in hiding in South America. At the same time, flashbacks reveal Meyer Offerman facing a perilous challenge that threatens to uncover his hidden truth, sending shockwaves through the Hunters' world.
Premise of Hunters Season 2
The characters in the series are inspired by various real-life Nazi hunters from different eras but are not direct portrayals of any particular individuals. Set in 1977 New York City, the story revolves around a diverse group of Nazi hunters who uncover a plot by escaped Nazi officers aiming to establish a Fourth Reich in the United States. Another key storyline involves the revelation of Operation Paperclip, a U.S. government program that relocated German scientists, including many with Nazi ties, to America.
Significance of Hunters Season 2
David Opie from Digital Spy highlighted the significance of a show like Hunters, which centres on Jewish heroes, given the underrepresentation of Jewish identity in the superhero genre. While characters like Scarlet Witch, Kitty Pryde, the Thing, and Harley Quinn have Jewish roots, their heritage is often downplayed or overlooked in their stories.
Creator David Weil, who is Jewish, reflected on his own experiences with everyday antisemitism, citing incidents like swastikas painted on his high school and offensive jokes about "Jews in ovens." Hunters is not the first narrative to feature protagonists pursuing Nazis; notable examples include films such as The Odessa File (1974), Apt Pupil (1998), The Boys from Brazil (1978), and Marathon Man (1976), as well as stories involving Nazi zombies.
Plot and Characters of Hunters Season 2
Logan Lerman takes on the role of Jonah Heidelbaum, a gifted mathematics prodigy whose life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes involved with the Hunters after the mysterious death of his grandmother. Al Pacino stars as Meyer Offerman, a wealthy Holocaust survivor and the group’s leader, marking his first significant role in a television series. Pacino was particularly drawn to the show for its intricate moral questions and collaboration with accomplished creators.
Lena Olin portrays Eva Braun-Hitler, also known as The Colonel, as a pivotal figure orchestrating the rise of the Fourth Reich. Jerrika Hinton plays Millie Morris, an FBI agent whose murder investigation leads her to uncover the activities of both the Hunters and their enemies. Hinton prepared for her role by consulting a former FBI agent to gain insight into the unique challenges women in law enforcement faced during the 1970s.
Saul Rubinek and Carol Kane play Murray and Mindy Markowitz, a married couple and Holocaust survivors who lend their technical expertise in electronics and communications to the team. Josh Radnor adds an element of intrigue as Lonny Flash, an actor adept at disguises, which proves invaluable to their operations.
Greg Austin brings to life Travis Leich, an American neo-Nazi operative working for the Fourth Reich. To authentically portray this character, Austin researched psychopathic behaviors and historical figures like Ted Bundy to shape his performance.
Tiffany Boone stars as Roxy Jones, a skilled counterfeiter and forger, while Louis Ozawa plays Joe Mizushima, a Vietnam War veteran and the group's combat expert. Kate Mulvany rounds out the team as Sister Harriet, a former MI6 operative with a complex and mysterious past.
The series intertwines these characters' journeys, delving into themes of justice, revenge, and the ethical complexities of their mission. Through its diverse ensemble, it sheds light on the enduring fight against fascist ideologies in a post-war world.
