Manhunt with Joel Lambert

Kicking off the series is a behind-the-scenes look at the dangerous conditions battled during production. Joel Lambert, an ex-Navy SEAL, takes on some of the world’s most specialised military and law enforcement tracking units as he puts them to the test and challenges them to physically capture him over a period of up to 48 hours. Shot in some of the most remote and exotic locations of the world, meet each of the hunter forces and hear about the difficulties Joel experienced in trying to escape and evade each one. The making of the series proves just as challenging as severe injuries and near-death accidents plague the crew, all while trying to capture this ultimate game of cat-and-mouse.

Joel is hunted across a private game reserve in South Africa as he faces off against one of the most specialised forces yet – the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF). With the reserve full of deadly animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos, Joel must be hyper aware of both the hunter force behind him – and the dangerous game ahead. Comprised of ex-military and ex-poachers, the IAPF’s keen tracking skills allow them to detect even the faintest hint of Joel, without the aid of high tech assets. But when the IAPF finds a pride of lions on the prowl, the hunt changes to a life-and-death rescue mission to find Joel before he becomes a lion’s lunch.

Joel has just 36 hours to escape and evade Poland’s elite border guard, the Straz Graniczna. Over a distance of 25 kilometres, the border guard deploys all their assets, including thermal camera helicopters, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), motorcycles, tracking dogs and world-class field units, in an attempt to intercept Joel before he reaches his extraction point. As the Straz Graniczna mobilises dozens of troops, Joel is forced to utilise all of his deception tactics – not to mention, make his way down a 20 metre cliff, and risk a daring truck ride – in this battle of Polish pride versus Joel’s rigorous training.

Panama's elite anti-drug trafficking unit SENAFRONT has just 36 hours to track, hunt and capture Joel through the jungles of San Jose Island, situated close to 100 kilometres off the coast. Joel battles for his freedom through thick rainforest, rocky shorelines, and some surprising wildlife, while SENAFRONT unleash their full arsenal using ATV patrols, boat units, and ground trackers to pressure Joel from all sides. When Joel decides to use the natural terrain to conceal his trail, SENAFRONT turns the tables by using one of Joel’s signature moves against him.

Joel goes up against the U.S. Army's Phantom Recon unit – a battle-tested group of trackers, supremely skilled in hunting down the most elusive of enemy targets. Their turf in southern Arizona is the harsh 75,000 acres of terrain surrounding Fort Huachuca military base, an area home to mountain lions and bears – and a much-favoured route of illegal immigrants and heavily armed drug smugglers trying to gain passage into the country. If Phantom Recon is not intimidating enough, Joel is also being monitored by a squadron of sophisticated unmanned aerial drones, whose cameras have locked in on his every move. Pitted against both top-notch trackers and the latest aerial spyware, will Joel’s skills and endurance be enough to get him to a successful extraction before the “enemy” closes in?

Joel faces off against the Philippines Army Scout Rangers, with just 48 hours to escape the dense jungle. Over a distance of 25 kilometres, and with two trucks as their only assets, the Scout Rangers prove they are among the world’s best at jungle tracking as they utilise their unique skill set to stay hot on Joel’s trail. But the harsh heat and humidity of the Philippine jungle and an unfortunately timed typhoon push Joel, the hunter unit, and the crew to the brink.

Joel takes on the South Korean National Police (KNP) SWAT unit in a challenge like he has never faced before – urban evasion. Situated on the heavily populated and highly trafficked tourist island of Jeju, Joel must alter his tactics to escape the KNP’s web of over 5,000 closed-circuit television cameras, in addition to their boat, air and mobile assets. Nothing is off limits to Joel as he tries to avoid physical capture through the back alleys of the city. But when the pressure of the KNP becomes too much for Joel, he leads them out into the wilderness on a wild path of deception and near misses.