Hunted Australia better than US, UK versions, British intelligence expert Ben Owen reveals

Intelligence expert Ben Owen has revealed why the Aussie version of the hit reality TV show is better than the UK version.

Australia’s version of global television ratings juggernaut Hunted is the best because it has more fugitives and less time to catch them, according to British intelligence expert Ben Owen.

The deputy head of intelligence on Channel 10’s version of the reality show has been a part of the Hunted UK team since the program’s inception in 2015, and involved in the US series.

“I’m not just saying it because I’m talking to an Australian journalist,” he said.

“For me, it’s the most exhilarating one I’ve done. It has double the amount of fugitives and we’ve got less time to catch them. We are really up against it tactically to try and get so many people in such a short space of time in such a vast area.”

Dr David Craig - Chief - from Channel 10 reality TV show Hunted (centre), with Ben Owen, the show’s Deputy of Intelligence and Reece Dewar, Deputy of Operations. Picture: Channel 10.

More than a million people tuned in each week last year to watch Owen and the dogged posse of Hunters, including The Chief Dr David Craig and Deputy of Operations Reece Dewar, track down nine teams of two Fugitives, making it Channel 10’s most watched new show.

The Hunters are feeling all of the pressure in this second series after Fugitives Rob Harneiss and Stathi Vamvoulidis outwitted the crack team to reach the extraction point in the tense conclusion to the show’s debut season.

“Our ultimate goal as Hunters is always to get a clean sweep,” Owen said.

“Every time that clock starts, whatever that burst looks like at the beginning – whether that’s on a boat or a helicopter – it is our overall strategic objective is to get a clean sweep so that no one gets to that extraction.

“We have to look at this like it is real life. We have to think these are real criminals and put ourselves in the mind set that we used to be when we’re doing this job for real. And think what would it be if we didn’t quite catch them? What could that person do?”

Ben Owen is back as deputy head of intelligence for the second season of Ten's No.1 show of 2022. Picture: Ten

This year’s Fugitives are “smarter and shiftier” than their predecessors and include army veterans, IT geeks, public servants, teachers, DJs and boxing coaches.

The 10 pairs will be released somewhere in Melbourne and must remain undetected for 21 days to claim a share of the $100,000 prize.

Owen said Aussie fugitives were a lot more resourceful than their overseas counterparts.

“I think that probably comes from your geographical location,” he said.

“Aussie kids enter your teen years and you’re encouraged about getting outside, going in the outdoors.

“You’ve got a climate for being outside, you know, than say in the UK where it’s raining and grey and horrible and people just sit in.

“So in essence they’re tougher to catch, they’re certainly more confident and they’re more happy to bring the fight to us. But ultimately that makes it more fun when we do.”

Given Owen is an internationally recognised expert in surveillance and covert operations, can he always spot when his family or friends try to pull the wool over his eyes?

“I think so,” he said.

“But it’s more I’ll just tell you the truth now because you’ll probably find out anyway. They know they can’t hoodwink me into most things.”

It also means that surprise parties are pretty hard to pull off too.

“Having said that, it was my 40th birthday while I was filming the UK show, and my partner did set up like a mini-surprise dinner with all the Hunters just down the road,” Owen said.

“But in my belly, I knew something was going on. I just couldn’t quite pinpoint it. I’ll be honest, I don’t really like surprises.”

Hunted premieres Monday 7.30pm on Ten.

Originally published as Hunted Australia better than US, UK versions, British intelligence expert Ben Owen reveals