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Yes absolutely.
Thats a brave move…
[Laughs] I can take it, Im strong.
Theres always that one snarky comment or offhand remark that needles though isnt there?
Was there any specific criticism that got to you?
Moving from Hollywood to the UK, youll have noticed the sizeable difference in TV budgets.
Were there things you wanted to do withHuntedbut couldnt because of money constraints?
We had a pretty healthy budget.
It shows, especially in the first episode with those fantastic locations…
That was really exciting for me.
Was that your experience or is that just hot air?
Well, I know its going to have Sam Hunter in it!
Ill be saying something in the near future on that.
Yeah, itll be a different series.
It has to be a different series.
Thats where the risks of co-productions come back and change your plans unexpectedly sometimes.
So will you be taking more advantage of HBOs reputation for nudity and violence now?
I dont think so, no.
When did you first hear the BBC announcement that they wouldnt be continuing with the show?
Well, its been weeks, but it was a discussion.
Thank you very much, Im delighted to hear that.
So were chuffed that HBO will be taking it on.
Thank you, me too.
Im very, very happy about it.
How far were you makingHuntedfor a US audience?
Well, first I should say I said that with a smile in my voice, you know.
Would you call Sam Hunters emotional unavailability a kind of British character trait then?
A version of the stiff upper lip cliche?
I didnt really look at it as being particularly British to be honest.
Shes going to have to go back and face these traumatic events if she wants to stay alive.
SPOILER WARNING
I have to ask this.
How then do you explain the six foot rabbit in episode six?
I thought that was very funny.
To me, that was very funny.
[Laughing] To us, they were very, very funny.
There is a dark sense of humour running through the show isnt there?
I loved the Communist being beaten to death with a statue of Karl Marx…
Yes, from the place where theyre incinerating the body.
We thought we were very funny at least.
Do you think some people just didnt get the jokes?
You did at least.
Even in episodes seven and eight, we were still meeting people for the first time.
Were you laying the ground for future series by doing that?
Oh, I cant say.
[Laughing] Just between you and me, youre funny.
Oh, youll have to watch, youll have to watch.
Okay, we will.
SPOILER WARNING ENDS
You mentioned being pleased with the audience the show found.
The BBC non-renewal statement said thatHunted…hasnt found the mainstream audience it was hoped.
How important was reaching a mainstream audience to you?
You know, its one of those things that you dont really get to decide.
Going back to the online response, did you find the comparisons to shows likeSpooksorHomelandfair or frustrating?
I understand totally why people make those comparisons, though I dont think theyre particularly valid comparisons.
If you wouldnt compareHuntedto those two shows then, is there another touchstone you would compare it to?
What kind of nods are you talking about?
Were there specific shots or scenes in which youve paid homage to those earlier shows?
I think that the opening of episode one feels veryMission: Impossible.
Are more exotic locations in the pipeline for the HBOHuntedspin-off then?
Hunteds cynicism was a really defining feature with this first series wasnt it?
Its suspicion of corporations and capitalism and the moral murkiness of it all.
Theres no sense that anybodys doing anything good, ever.
Can I just move on toThe X-Filesbriefly, just as were running out of time.
Were as keen as you are forThe X-Filesfilm trilogy to finally be completed.
Do you have a script for the third film in place?
Is it still the big alien invasion movie you want to do?
Yes, its the climax of the alien colonisation story that began the series.
Do you foreseeThe X-Filesever pulling aStar Trekand returning to the small screen in a different incarnation?
I wouldnt be surprised at all.
Mulder and Scully: The College Years?
I just hope that if they do it, they do it well, thats my only request.
Returning toHunted,what do you think you learnt making it that youll take into future work?
The whole thing was a huge learning experience and I got to work with so many amazing people.
You learn something by working with great people, so it was a great experience.
We havent scared you off then, youre going to stick around in the UK?
Im not going anywhere, not yet anyway!
Frank Spotnitz, thank you very much!
