Starhunter

Lore & Background

Starhunter was produced in Canada by The Danforth Studios in association with Alliance Atlantis, with photography in the United Kingdom. Co-producers included Grosvenor Park Productions UK and Le Sabre (an affiliate of Canal+), with major unofficial German participation by Das Werk. The first season aired in Canada from 1 November 2000 to 28 March 2001, and was syndicated in the United States in fall 2002. The second season aired in Canada from 9 August 2003 to 3 April 2004. The series name was changed to Starhunter 2300 for the second season, though both seasons share the same title in the US.

The first season starred Michael Paré as Dante Montana, Tanya Allen as Percy Montana, Claudette Roche as Lucretia Scott, and featured Murray Melvin and Stephen Marcus. For the second season, Clive Robertson, Dawn Stern, and Paul Fox were added, while most original actors were dropped. The investors blocked the return of Paré and replaced Melvin, contrary to the creators' wishes. The plot follows the crew of the 'Tulip' (a refitted luxury-liner) as they hunt bounty and search for Dante's abducted son. In the second season, the show was restructured: Percy emerges from hyperspace unaged after fifteen years, and Travis Montana (Dante's son) joins the crew.

Reader's Guide

Starhunter is significant as a Canadian science fiction series that underwent substantial restructuring between its two seasons, including cast changes and a title alteration. The show was nominated by the Directors Guild of Canada for a Best Production Design award and for a 'Spaceys Award' by Space: The Imagination Station. Its production involved international co-producers from the UK, France, and Germany. The series did not continue after season two despite pre-orders for a third season, leaving the story at a cliffhanger. In 2018, Starhunter ReduX was released, an updated version with new special effects, newly shot footage, and a 4K transfer, aiming to realize the creators' original vision for season two. The series has maintained a cult following and has been re-released on streaming platforms and physical media.

Did You Know?

• The series was nominated by the Directors Guild of Canada for a Best Production Design award.
• Music for the opening credits was composed by Donald Quan for season one and by Peter Gabriel for season two.
• In the second season, the show was retitled Starhunter 2300, though both seasons share the same title in the US.
• Starhunter ReduX, released in 2018, featured updated special effects and a 4K transfer in 16:9 aspect ratio.