Podcast Firm Goalhanger Enters Scripted Audio with Geopolitical Thriller 'Bear Hunt'
Goalhanger, the company behind The Rest is Entertainment, has launched a new scripted division called Goalhanger Drama. Its first release is the ten-part audio thriller 'Bear Hunt,' which follows a fictional plot to kill a heavily protected world leader. The series is described as a geopolitical action story set across Westminster, Washington, and the battlefield.
Goalhanger, the media company co-founded by Gary Lineker, Tony Pastor, and Jack Davenport, has announced the creation of Goalhanger Drama, a new division dedicated to scripted audio productions. The launch marks a strategic expansion for the firm, which is best known for its successful podcast franchises including The Rest is Entertainment. Bear Hunt serves as the inaugural project under this new banner.
The ten-episode thriller centers on a fictional assassination plot targeting a prominent global figure, following a storyline that begins with 350 British civilian deaths attributed to Russia. The narrative reportedly moves through political corridors in Westminster and Washington before shifting to combat zones, with the company positioning the series as a British counterpart to the Bourne franchise. The production signals Goalhanger's ambition to compete in the growing audio drama market.
This move could signal growing confidence in scripted audio as a viable entertainment format, particularly for audiences seeking cinematic storytelling without visual commitment. Goalhanger's established podcast audience may provide a ready-made listener base, potentially encouraging other podcast-focused companies to explore similar expansions. The geopolitical thriller angle may also attract listeners interested in political fiction, though its success will likely depend on execution quality and word-of-mouth within the competitive audio landscape.