Rediscover Hunter, a gritty 80s crime drama series with a unique vibe and no-nonsense attitude.
- November 28, 2025
AceShowbiz - The crime drama series Hunter is a show that used to thrive on Saturday nights, offering a dependable and gritty viewing experience. It had a unique vibe, with Fred Dryer cutting through crime scenes with a no-nonsense attitude, and the Los Angeles sun setting the tone for a sturdy rhythm of two cops trying to make a difference. The show had a certain "grab your jacket and jump in" energy, similar to Wiseguy or Streets of San Francisco, but it seems to have been forgotten by many.
Despite running for seven seasons, having a respectable stack of TV movies, and decent ratings, Hunter is often met with confusion, as if it's a fictional show. However, it was real, and it was good in a scrappy, blue-collar way that network TV used to be proud of. The show lived in the same neighborhood as Hardcastle and McCormick or early-era Cagney & Lacey, offering meat-and-potatoes storytelling with a badge and a bad attitude.
Hunter is now available to stream for free on Tubi, like a time capsule that nobody bothered to rebury. The show's lead, Fred Dryer, played Detective Rick Hunter, a character who wasn't polished and had a look of a man who'd spent many nights sleeping wherever he landed. This approach made the show oddly comforting, as it didn't try to come across a certain way. Stepfanie Kramer played Dee, and together they made Hunter a compelling watch.
In contrast to other shows of the time, such as Miami Vice or Magnum P.I., Hunter was the show that walked straight through the brawl and dealt with the consequences later. This approach made it a unique and captivating watch, and its availability on Tubi is a great opportunity for viewers to rediscover this forgotten crime drama series. With its gritty storytelling and no-nonsense attitude, Hunter is a show that will keep you engaged and entertained.
Overall, Hunter is a crime drama series that doesn't hold back, offering a realistic and captivating viewing experience. With its availability on Tubi, there's no excuse not to give it a try and discover why it was a beloved show during its seven-season run. So, grab your jacket, jump in, and experience the gritty world of Hunter for yourself.