Goalhanger Wants To Make The “British Bourne” With Geopolitical Audio Drama ‘Bear Hunt’
Goalhanger, the media company behind The Rest Is Entertainment and co-founded by Gary Lineker, Tony Pastor and Jack Davenport, is launching Bear Hunt, a ten-part audio drama it describes as a "British Bourne." The series marks the debut release of Goalhanger Drama, a newly created scripted division, and follows a fictional plot to assassinate a powerful world leader after Russia is blamed for the deaths of 350 British civilians.
The show draws on voice talent from across Goalhanger's podcast network, including Al Murray and Dominic Sandbrook, alongside a cast of more than 50 led by Donald Pirie as Sergeant Tom "Duffy" MacDuff. It was developed with input from military and defence professionals, including adviser Sergeant Dave Allen, to keep the fictional plot grounded in plausible detail. The first two episodes launch on 10 September, with weekly releases to follow; the division, set up after Goalhanger Films' closure, has further productions planned for 2027.
- Goalhanger launches audio drama unit with thriller "Bear Hunt"
- Ten-part series billed as a "British Bourne" starts 10 September
- Over 50-strong cast includes Al Murray and Dominic Sandbrook
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Goalhanger is the production company best known for hit history podcasts such as The Rest Is History, founded by Gary Lineker along with Tony Pastor and Jack Davenport. It has now set up a new scripted-drama arm, Goalhanger Drama, after closing its earlier film-making venture, and Bear Hunt is its first project: a fictional ten-part audio thriller in the style of the Jason Bourne spy films.
The story imagines a plot to assassinate a major world leader following a terrorist-style attack that kills hundreds of British civilians, an attack blamed on Russia. It features a large cast, including familiar voices from Goalhanger's podcasts, and was made with input from real military and defence advisers to keep the fictional scenario believable.
The launch matters because it signals a British media company known for factual podcasts moving into scripted entertainment, at a time when audio drama is being used to explore geopolitical themes such as tension with Russia. It also marks a shift in strategy for Goalhanger following the closure of its film division, with more scripted projects reportedly planned beyond this first series.