The Hunger (TV series)

*The Hunger*
The Hunger
	DVD cover (1st season)
Genre	Drama; Erotic horror
Created by	Jeff Fazio
Presented by	Terence Stamp (first season); David Bowie (second season)
Country of origin	Canada; United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	44
Production
Production locations	London, United Kingdom; Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Running time	26-28 minutes
Production companies	Scott Free Productions; Telescene Film Group Productions; The Movie Network
Original release
Network	Sci Fi Channel (United Kingdom); The Movie Network (Canada) Showtime (United States)
Release	July 20, 1997 –; March 5, 2000

The Hunger is a British/Canadian television horror anthology series, co-produced by Scott Free Productions, Telescene Film Group Productions and the Canadian premium television channel The Movie Network. It was created by Jeff Fazio.

Originally shown on the Sci Fi Channel in the UK, The Movie Network in Canada and Showtime in the United States, the series was broadcast from 1997 to 2000, and is internally organized into two seasons. Each episode was based around an independent story introduced by the host; Terence Stamp hosted each episode for the first season, and was replaced in the second season by David Bowie. Stories tended to focus on themes of self-destructive desire and obsession, with a strong component of soft-core erotica; popular tropes for the stories included cannibalism, vampires, sex, and poison.

Episodes

Season 1 (1997–1998)

Series #	Season #	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original airdate	Production Code
1	1	"The Swords"	Tony Scott	Howard A. Rodman, Robert Aickman (story)	July 20, 1997 (1997-07-20)	101
A man starts dating a nightclub star who can apparently survive being stabbed with swords. Stars Balthazar Getty, Amanda Ryan, Timothy Spall, and Jamie Foreman.
2	2	"Ménage à Trois"	Jake Scott	Jordan Katz, Vincent Ngo, F. Paul Wilson (story)	July 20, 1997 (1997-07-20)	102
A young nurse is hired as a live-in caretaker for an older woman who lives with her young, good-looking handyman. Stars Karen Black, Lena Headey, and Daniel Craig.
3	3	"Necros"	Russell Mulcahy	Steven Salzburg, Audrey Salzburg, Brian Lumley (story)	July 20, 1997 (1997-07-20)	103
A beautiful young woman is the constant companion of an older man, but their relationship may not be what it seems. Stars Philip Casnoff, Céline Bonnier, and Leonardo Cimino.
4	4	"The Secret Shih-Than"	Russell Mulcahy	David Preston, Graham Masterton (story)	July 27, 1997 (1997-07-27)	104
A gourmet chef is offered a great deal of money to prepare a meal from a secret book, Shi-Than. Stars Jason Scott Lee, Gregoriane Minot Payeur, Kenneth Welsh, and Robert Ito.
5	5	"Bridal Suite"	Érik Canuel	Clair Noto, Graham Masterton (story)	August 3, 1997 (1997-08-03)	105
A newly-married couple on their honeymoon discover that the bed in their room is supposed to be cursed. Stars Sally Kirkland, Karen Elkin^[2] and Colin Ferguson.
6	6	"Room 17"	Érik Canuel	Craig Miller, Mark Nelson	August 10, 1997 (1997-08-10)	106
A man rents a motel room in order to watch some special erotic films privately. Stars Curtis Armstrong, Kim Feeney, and Penny Mancuso.
7	7	"Anaïs"	Darrell Wasyk	Terry Curtis Fox, Graham Masterton (story)	August 17, 1997 (1997-08-17)	107
An architect spends his time fantasizing about a made-up woman he calls "Anaïs" but the imaginary woman begins to have real desires. Stars Ilona Elkin and Nick Mancuso.
8	8	"No Radio"	Howard A. Rodman	Marianne Ackerman, Mickey Friedman (story)	August 24, 1997 (1997-08-24)	108
A kidnapper gets more than he expected when he abducts his married lover. Stars Bruce Ramsay, Amanda De Cadenet and James Rae.
9	9	"But At My Back I Always Hear"	Patricia Rozema	Marianne Ackerman, Patricia Rozema, David Morrell (story)	August 31, 1997 (1997-08-31)	109
A professor is stalked by a young female student. Stars Cary Lawrence, Michael Gross and Karen Elkin.
10	10	"Red Light"	Christian Duguay	David J. Schow	September 21, 1997 (1997-09-21)	110
A supermodel refuses to be photographed because she is convinced that the camera will steal her soul. Stars Tomas Arana and Liliana Kamorowska.
11	11	"I'm Dangerous Tonight"	Russell Mulcahy	Gerald Wexler, Cornell Woolrich (story)	September 21, 1997 (1997-09-21)	111
A red dress by a famous fashion designer causes strange behavior in the people who wear it. Stars Marie-Josée Croze, Dorothée Berryman and Esai Morales.
12	12	"The Sloan Men"	Darrell Wasyk	Bruce Smith, David Nickle (story)	September 28, 1997 (1997-09-28)	112
Through a shocking revelation by her future mother-in-law, a young woman comes to realize her fiancé and his father are not exactly human. Stars Clare Sims, Gregory Calpakis and Margot Kidder.
13	13	"A Matter of Style"	John Hamilton	David Shore	October 26, 1997 (1997-10-26)	113
A young inept burglar is bitten by a beautiful vampiress, who tries to teach him how to be a vampire. Stars Daniel Brochu, Chad Lowe and Isabelle Cyr.
14	14	"Hidebound"	Jeff Fazio	Gerald Wexler, Gemma Files (story)	January 23, 1998 (1998-01-23)	114
A young female security guard is attacked by a murderous spirit visible only to her. Stars Brooke Smith and Paul Hopkins.
15	15	"Fly-By-Night"	Yermo Mishot	Terry Curtis Fox, Gemma Files (story)	January 31, 1998 (1998-01-31)	115
A mental patient haunted by horrible wartime flashbacks gets shut up by a vampire. Stars Giancarlo Esposito and Kim Feeney.
16	16	"A River of Night's Dreaming"	John Warwicker	Bruce Smith, Karl Edward Wagner	February 6, 1998 (1998-02-06)	116
A female convict escapes from a prison transport and hides at the home of an elderly woman. Stars Marni Thompson and Ann Turkel.
17	17	"The Lighthouse"	Darrell Wasyk	Bruce Smith, Robert Bloch (story)	February 20, 1998 (1998-02-20)	117
A lighthouse-keeper, trapped at his post during a hurricane, begins to question his sanity. Stars Bruce Davison and Vlasta Vrána.
18	18	"The Face of Helene Bournouw"	Robert Ciupka	Harlan Ellison (as Cordwainer Bird)	February 27, 1998 (1998-02-27)	118
A reporter investigates a woman whose beauty literally drives men mad. Stars Stephen McHattie and Jayne Heitmeyer.
19	19	"Plain Brown Envelope"	Michel David	Terry Curtis Fox, Lyn Wood (story)	March 6, 1998 (1998-03-06)	119
On a cold and snowy night, a young hitchhiker stows away in the back of a large truck that turns out to be the warehouse of a sex fantasy salesman. Stars Jesse Borrego, Doris Milmore and Stephan Cloutier.
20	20	"The Other Woman"	George Mihalka	David Taylor, Lois Tilton (story)	March 20, 1998 (1998-03-20)	120
The mistress of a married man has visions of being murdered by his wife. Stars Joanna Cassidy, Nicholas Campbell and Lisa Bronwyn Moore.
21	21	"Clarimonde"	Tom Dey	Gerald Wexler, Théophile Gautier (story)	March 20, 1998 (1998-03-20)	121
A strange beautiful woman seems to get a thrill from seducing men about to become priests. Stars David La Haye and Audrey Benoit.
22	22	"Footsteps"	Jimmy Kaufman	Gerald Wexler, Harlan Ellison	March 27, 1998 (1998-03-27)	122
A lovely vampiress who seduces and drains a different man every night meets a man who claims to be a vegetarian. Stars Jean-Guy Bouchard and Sofia Shinas.

Season 2 (1999–2000)

Series #	Season #	Title	Director	Writer	Original airdate	Production Code
23	1	"Sanctuary"	Tony Scott	Bruce M. Smith	September 10, 1999 (1999-09-10)	023
A successful but unbalanced artist takes in a young and seriously wounded drifter who is on the run and looking for a place to hide. Stars David Bowie, Giovanni Ribisi and Richard Jutras.
24	2	"Skin Deep"	Luke Scott	Christa Faust (Story) Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay)	September 17, 1999 (1999-09-17)	028
A lonely woman seeks comfort with a sadistic lap dancer. Stars Kate Vernon and Sarain Boylan.
25	3	"The Dream Sentinel"	Chris Hartwill	Poppy Z. Brite (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay)	September 24, 1999 (1999-09-24)	026
The ghost of a murdered detective seeks solace with a young stripper, who is mourning the death of her ex-lover. Stars Eric Roberts and Alice Poon.
26	4	"And She Laughed"	Jean Beauchemin	Liz Holliday (Story), Jeff Fazio (Teleplay)	October 3, 1999 (1999-10-03)	039
A woman's nightmares about a Peeping Tom become real. Stars Ben Bass and Jennifer Beals.
27	5	"Nunc Dimittis"	Russell Mulcahy	Tanith Lee (Story), Gerald Wexler (Teleplay)	October 10, 1999 (1999-10-10)	029
Princess Dracula's dying faithful companion tries to fulfil his last wish: find his own successor. Stars David Warner, Philippe Ross, Jacob Tierney and Marina Orsini.
28	6	"Week Woman"	Daniel Grou	Kim Newman (Story) Terry Curtis Fox (Teleplay),	October 17, 1999 (1999-10-17)	033
A newlywed is disturbed by his wife's inexplicable mood swings, so he decides to do something about it. Stars Martin Watier and Brooke Smith.
29	7	"The Night Bloomer"	Érik Canuel	David J. Schow (Story), Mark Nelson (Teleplay)	October 24, 1999 (1999-10-24)	036
A corporate researcher offers to help an ambitious businessman advance his career, but he's unaware of the price. Stars Glenn Plummer, Gillian Ferrabee and Serge Houde.
30	8	"The Diarist"	Alain DesRochers	Gemma Files	October 31, 1999 (1999-10-31)	041
A witch with a penchant for vengeance is romantically spurned by a man and decides to get even with him by casting evil spells to ruin his life and possibly bring him under her spell. Stars Sheena Larkin and Ian M. Watson.
31	9	"Sin Seer"	Daniel Grou	David Fletcher (Story) Peter Lankov (Teleplay)	November 7, 1999 (1999-11-07)	044
Mano is a man who has a unique gift - he can look into people's eyes and see their darkest secrets. For years, he has avoided eye contact with people but, for even longer, he has avoided mirrors... but what should happen if he looked into one? Stars Robert Brewster and Brad Dourif.
32	10	"Triangle in Steel"	Adrian Moat	Thomas Raddall (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay)	November 14, 1999 (1999-11-14)	034
A young man goes to work at a steel mill with Native Americans, and becomes involved with the boss's wife. Stars George Gilbert Scott, Joe McComber and Victoria Sanchez.
33	11	"Brass"	Jeff Fazio	David J. Schow (Story) Jeffrey Cohen (Teleplay)	November 21, 1999 (1999-11-21)	032
When a young man inherits an ornate mirror following the death of his Satanist father, he finds that it reveals his mother attempted use of black arts. As the dead man's son continues his father's work, he puts the lives of those around him in danger, particularly when he forges a link to Hell through the power of the mirror. Stars Max Martini, Polly Shannon, Richard Normand, and Philip Pretten.
34	12	"Replacements"	Bruce M. Smith	Lisa Tuttle (Story) Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay)	November 28, 1999 (1999-11-28)	038
A doctor becomes determined to find out what is happening to the women in his town, after they appear to be turning against the men and becoming obsessed with something unknown. They seem to have found animalistic replacements for their husbands. Stars Howard Rosenstein.
35	13	"I'm Very Dangerous Tonight"	Alain DesRochers	Cornell Woolrich (Story) Terry Curtis Fox (Teleplay)	January 2, 2000 (2000-01-02)	025
A dress causes strange things to happen to every person that wears it. Stars Martin Simms.
36	14	"Wrath of God"	Russell Mulcahy	Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay), Gemma Files (story)	January 9, 2000 (2000-01-09)	024
A landlord is visited by a powerful stranger who wants to observe evil in all its forms. Stars Anthony Michael Hall.
37	15	"Bottle of Smoke"	Jean Beaudin	Gemma Files	January 16, 2000 (2000-01-16)	043
When an elderly woman, who travelled widely in her youth, dies, she leaves her possessions to her young niece, which includes a bottle of smoke that promises the ultimate in sexual fulfillment. But such pleasure comes at a price. Stars Soo Garay and Cathy Moriarty.
38	16	"The Perfect Couple"	Darrell Wasyk	David J. Schow (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay),	January 23, 2000 (2000-01-23)	031
A modern-day cupid arranges for two people to come together and believes them to be the perfect match. Four years later, though, he revisits them to see how they fared and finds their relationship is troubled. Was his mistake just that... Or is his poor matchmaking deliberate? Stars Claudia Besso, Aldo Tirelli and Noël Burton.
39	17	"The Sacred Fire"	Russell Mulcahy	Charles de Lint	January 30, 2000 (2000-01-30)	040
Luann is a kind and generous woman who volunteers to help the homeless find food and shelter, but when she meets Nick, who lives on the street, he warns her that there are street people who are actually demons in disguise, intent on killing humans. Stars Kim Huffman and James Marshall.
40	18	"Approaching Desdemona"	Jason Hreno	Lenny Kleinfeld (Story) Terry Curtis Fox (Teleplay)	February 6, 2000 (2000-02-06)	027
In a story that will be familiar to many Internet users, a couple's life together deteriorates when he finds an adult website that offers bizarre sexual fantasies. Stars Christina Colburn, William McNamara and April Telek.
41	19	"The Seductress"	Alain DesRochers	Ramsey Campbell (Story) Mark Nelson (Teleplay)	February 13, 2000 (2000-02-13)	030
When a novelist reads a suicide note from a former lover, she begins an affair with a mysterious man, but their romance is not all it seems and the boundaries between reality and fiction appear to fall away. Stars William Katt, Laura Mitchell and Rachel Hayward.
42	20	"Double"	John L'Ecuyer	Karl Edward Wagner (Story) Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay)	February 20, 2000 (2000-02-20)	042
The myth of the Doppelgänger has lasted for centuries and receives a modern updating here as two identical women meet but realise the differences between them are in their personalities - one is normal whilst the other is plagued by nightmares. Their meeting, however, results in a battle for their souls. Stars Lori Petty, Daniela Akerblom, Larry Day, and Rachelle Lefevre.
43	21	"The Falling Man"	Daniel Grou	Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay) David J. Schow (Story)	February 27, 2000 (2000-02-27)	035
A muse inspires a gifted young architect, but she exacts a terrible price from him when he fails. Stars Maria Bertrand and A Martinez.
44	22	"The Suction Method"	Darrell Wasyk	Rudy Kremberg (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay)	March 5, 2000 (2000-03-05)	037
A middle-aged married man cheats on his wife with the carpet cleaner lady. But there's a bigger story behind the mysterious lady---she's there to get the unwanted "dirt" out of the house. Stars Fisher Stevens, Jeannie Walker and Valérie Valois.

Production

Initially like the movie from which it takes its name, the series was going to focus exclusively on vampires but producers opted to expand the scope of what Hunger entailed to allow for more storytelling options.^[3]

Home video releases

Region 1

Entertainment One released both seasons on DVD in the US in 2009. Season 1 was released on June 2, 2009, and Season 2 on October 13, 2009.

Alliance Home Entertainment has released the entire series on DVD in Canada for the very first time.

Region 2

Infinity Video released both seasons on DVD in the UK for the very first time on October 31, 2005, as Amazon exclusives.^[4]^[5] Season 1 and 2 were re-released as full retail releases in 2007.

DVD Name	Ep#	Release Dates
DVD Name	Ep#	Region 1 (US)	Region 1 (CAN)	Region 2
Season 1	22	June 2, 2009^[6]	June 8, 2010^[7]	July 23, 2007
Season 2	22	October 13, 2009^[8]	June 8, 2010^[9]	July 23, 2007

References

^ "Watch Hunger Online at Hulu". Hulu. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
^ French Wikipedia profile of Karen Elkin; www.fr.wikipedia.org.
^ Jones, Alan (March 1997). "The Hunger". Cinefantastique. Fourth Castle Micromedia. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
^ "The Hunger - Complete Series 1 Box Set". 31 October 2005. Retrieved 4 July 2016 – via Amazon.
^ "The Hunger - Complete Series 2 Box Set". 31 October 2005. Retrieved 4 July 2016 – via Amazon.
^ "The Hunger: Season 1". 2 June 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2016 – via Amazon.
^ "Hunger Season 1". Retrieved 4 July 2016 – via Amazon.
^ "The Hunger: Season 2". 13 October 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2016 – via Amazon.
^ "The Hunger: Season 2". Retrieved 4 July 2016 – via Amazon.