Hunters has added Jennifer Jason Leigh to its roster of Nazi trackers for season 2. The Amazon series follows the titular "Hunters," a group of Jewish civilians in 1970s New York City led by Meyer Offerman (Al Pacino) attempting to stop the covert formation of a Fourth Reich in the United States. Co-starring Logan Lerman as young hunter Jonah Heidelbaum, the first season scored polarizing reviews upon release last year, with praise heaped on several performances but derision aimed at its emphasis on pulp over story. Despite the uneven response among fans and critics, Jordan Peele's producer stamp on the series and Amazon's deep pockets pushed the streamer to greenlight Hunters season 2 back in August, and now it looks like diehards have their first big casting announcement.
Deadline reported that Jennifer Jason Leigh is slated to join Pacino and Lerman's team as Chava Apfelbaum, a legendary Nazi hunter who was briefly seen as a young woman in the series premiere. Leigh, whose prolific career includes '80s classics like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and modern Westerns like The Hateful Eight, will expand the bit part into a primary role this season in what looks to be Amazon's effort to add more prestige names following Pacino's on-screen death.
Following her star-making role in Fast Times, Leigh's more than 40-year career has seen her steadily become one of Hollywood's most reliable actresses. She currently stars in Netflix's Atypical and will headline the upcoming psychological thriller The Woman in the Window alongside Amy Adams and Gary Oldman. Her new role in Hunters continues an exciting streak of diverse roles across a range of genres that clearly shows no signs of letting up soon.
Source: Deadline