Hunted on 10 – Holly And Jimi Evade Capture To Win Hunted Australia 2023. Captured: Tharren, NSW And Jordan, Victoria.
In the nail-biting season finale of Hunted, all remaining Fugitives managed to avoid the Hunters and find safe accommodation for their final night on the run.
The final four made their way to the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Hunters at their heels. But with the Hunters closing in on Tharren and Jordan, only Jimi and Holly made it to the extraction point, not only winning a share of $100,000 but also proving to themselves and the world, they could do anything. Here’s how it played out.
With 27 hours remaining until extraction, the four Fugitives were still at large. To receive the extraction information, they had to make a phone call knowing it would alert the Hunters to their location.
Holly had spent a day bush weeding in Anglesea with strangers, forming an unexpected bond with Jasmine, who lent her phone for the extraction call. The call revealed extraction was at 2:30pm at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. At Hunted HQ, the Hunters swiftly launched their investigation to track down Holly’s helpers. But Holly had already received a lift to Melbourne with Rob, who had kindly provided her refuge for the night. The emotional rollercoaster continued as they discovered Jasmine’s crucial role in Holly’s escape, and subsequently where she was headed.
Despite Jimi using a random pay phone to make his call, the Hunters were alerted immediately, Ground Team Bravo were sent to investigate, while Hunted HQ analysed CCTV footage.
As the Hunters diligently pursued leads, Jimi managed to stay ahead, finding accommodation in a hotel near the MCG for his last night on the run.
After staying at a kind stranger’s home, Tharren and Jordan borrowed her car and drove to the outskirts of the city to make their extraction call from a payphone. They swiftly left the city, heading to their friend Ben’s house for their final night on the run. Being the last Fugitives to make the call, the Hunters quickly found CCTV footage of them together but not much else, prompting Hunted HQ to launch a social media campaign to seek help from the public in capturing the father-son team.
The following morning brought a breakthrough, leading the Hunters to Rob’s doorstep in Ascot Vale looking for Holly. A mix of hope and anxiety filled the air as Team Bravo questioned Rob, realising they narrowly missed Holly, who had already embarked on her daring journey to the MCG, navigating through hidden routes that only a local would know.
Tharren and Jordan proceeded with their 37km journey to the MCG on foot and asked a stranger for help for the very last time.
After convincing a stranger Adam to drive them, they heard the Chief’s public appeal on the radio. Not only did they need to avoid the Hunters, but also the general public.
With a mere 30 minutes to go, Jimi finally left his hotel room and made his way to the MCG. The Ground Hunter teams were all on high alert and quickly confirmed that the chopper’s destination was in fact the MCG. Knowing the extraction location, the Hunters immediately deployed all units to the iconic landmark.
Upon arrival, Jordan and Tharren rushed out of Adam’s car prematurely, mistaking Team Charlie for another Fugitive pair. Although Team Charlie had eyes on them, Tharren and Jordan managed to slip away and split up, but after an emotionally wild cat and mouse chase, the father and son were captured.
As the chopper landed, Hunted Team Charlie were distracted by the capture, giving Holly and Jimi a chance to make their final run to the chopper. Jimi reached the helicopter unnoticed and was overcome with emotion, shedding tears of relief.
In a heart pounding pursuit, Hunter Kim spotted Holly entering the MCG and chased her through the stadium. Holly struggled to find a way onto the pitch, but eventually, she slipped through a gate, sprinted to the chopper, and joined Jimi.
The two successful Fugitives, Holly and Jimi hugged and cried with relief, while Tharren and Jordan watch on from the sidelines.
To hear about Holly and Jimi’s time on the run, check out their interview on 10 Play HERE.
To hear about Tharren and Jordan’s time on the run, check out their interview on 10 Play HERE.
Hunted – available on 10 Play
About the Show
Podcast with Chief David Craig HERE
Australia’s Most Wanted Fugitives. Hunted Premieres Monday, 17 July At 7.30pm On 10 And 10 Play.
In one week, 20 Fugitives will be released on to the streets of Melbourne and, if the Hunters get their way, captured.
The heart stopping #1 new show of 2022, Hunted, returns with a brand-new season, on Monday, 17 July at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
Featuring 10 diverse pairs of ordinary Australians who transform into Fugitives and with limited funds and resources, they must think of clever to remain undetected whilst on the run, constantly looking over their shoulders, weighing up the risk and return of every move.
The Fugitives must remain undetected for 21 days from the team of expert Hunters, made up of some of the world’s best investigators formerly of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Defence Force and British Intelligence, alongside skilled cyber analysts and intel experts. They must be ruthless in their conclusions, masterful in their tactics and relentless in their captures.
But with $100,000 up for grabs, these Fugitives will stop at nothing to evade capture.
With one week to go until Hunted begins, it’s time to meet the Fugitives.
Bayan, 43, WA
Eesha, 32, WA
Bayan is forthright and a self proclaimed ‘genius’ – he is a man who is cool, calm, and always collected. His current career is as an Engineer, but he’s also been in the Army for seven years. Eesha is candid and driven working as a medium and spiritual/motivational coach. Although Eesha is not as physically strong as Bayan, she would consider shaving her head to keep the Hunters off her scent. With strong connections in the Middle Eastern network and the ability to utilise Bayan’s intelligence knowledge from his previous army/security life, they plan to recreate misinformation campaigns with decoys and fake clues being deployed along the way.
Ben, 26, VIC
Callum, 27, VIC
Self-confessed geeks, they are well equipped to not get sick of each other as spending all day, every day together will not phase these two inseparable buddies! Using Ben’s IT knowledge, his aim is to expose data loopholes the Hunters are searching on them and with Callum’s blackbelt in Taekwondo, he will apply his mental and physical strength and skillset to the run. As Melbourne locals, they plan to utilise their vast network of family and friends, including their online ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ support crew to assist them in travelling through rural Victoria with their plans to camp and stay off the grid wherever possible.
Byron, 37, SA / VIC
Tanase, 36, SA / VIC
These self-proclaimed ‘city slickers’, Byron and Tanase are siblings who moved to Melbourne together 15 years ago, from South Australia. Tanase can tend to be impulsive and outspoken at times, Byron is strategic, calculated and even tempered in most situations. Whilst on the run, they will call on their support group of West African communities and Byron’s queer allies. Though not having camped before, the pair plan to embrace nature and head to the bush, with the sole aim of confusing the Hunters from the get-go.
Cath, 54, VIC
Kel, 59, VIC
Cath and Kel, both high-school sexuality educators, have known each other for 30 years and are a joy-filled best friend duo with infectious and loveable personalities. Their strategy whilst on the run is not to run! As the oldest competitors, they know their physical limitations and will rely on their life experience and maximising their social smarts. They plan on tackling this game in style; there will be no slumming it for these ladies, who both love a nice glass of Chardy at the end of a day, a habit they have no plans to retire whilst on the run!
Ed, 29, NSW
Jimi, 31, NSW
Former radio colleagues turned friends, at first meeting, they didn’t get on and clashed over who was the most flamboyant! Ed being the classic ‘Libran’, is extremely manipulative but uses his skill and charm for good not evil, whereas Jimi is determined, vivacious and a great storyteller. They plan to use their appeal and friendliness to rely on the kindness of strangers, to ask everyday Australians for help – with everything from directions, a place to stay and decoys! Both friends are flamboyant, funny and full of energy, having spent much of their lives trying to stand out, will they struggle to blend in!?
Glenn, 50, QLD
Taylah, 24, QLD
Glenn is a boxing coach and Taylah his student, but their relationship is much more. Taylah is currently ranked the #1 Australian female boxer in the super fly weight division. As a former soldier, in the Australian Army, Glenn has over 17 years military experience, having been deployed in combat zones all over the world. He is Taylah’s boxing coach and a professional mentor. As an ex-soldier, Glenn has lived the Hunters’ lifestyle, which may deem him one of their biggest threats.
Holly, 23, VIC
Josh, 25, VIC
Holly and Josh are the ultimate competitive loved-up couple. Josh is a paramedic and rifleman in the Australian Army Reserves who is well-versed in surveillance, survival techniques and escaping capture. Holly is a dancer and an extrovert. They will look to utilise disguises on the run – Holly has special effects make up skills which she will put to the test and Josh will use his experience in camouflage from the Army to blend into their surroundings.
Megan, 46, QLD
Gracie, 22, QLD
Megan and Gracie are sunshine and happiness in human form, the pair do not stop smiling. They are aunt and niece and spend their days working together in Megan’s beauty salon.
Despite their age difference, they are both adrenalin junkies who will bring total energy to the hunt. A strong and sassy duo, these vivacious and bubbly women have far more to offer beyond their beauty and they want to win! They also want to prove to their families that they can go without fake tan and make up for 21 days!
Sonja, 41, QLD
Elerrina, 38, QLD
Sonja and Elerrina met at a watermelon eating contest last year and have been best friends ever since! Complete opposites in every way, Sonja is a pocket rocket, resilient, strategic, fit and flirty verses Elerrina who is colourful, unathletic, kind and is the person you can count on to bring the fun to any situation. Sonja is a medical sales rep and will be the decision maker on the hunt, while Elerrina who works in radio is more sporadic and a ‘go with the flow’ type. They will both miss their home creature comforts, like make-up, but plan to still find ways to look good whilst on the run!
Tharren, 53, NSW
Jordan, 29, VIC
This father and son team’s bond is robust. Tharren is a Pastor in a Juvenile Detention Centre for Boys and Jordan works as a High School Teacher and is an ex-chef – a skill he plans on using on the run. The team plan on doing one good deed a day, with the thought that what they put out there into the universe, will come back to them in the form of help. As a Pastor, Tharren plans on making use of regional Churches for support, even potentially taking refuge overnight within the safety of the Church grounds.
Hunted – On 10 And 10 Play.
Media Release – 10
TV Central 10 content HERE