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The Kollective season 1 is set to premiere this summer on June 10, 2025, introducing viewers to a politically charged thriller rooted in real events. The series delves into the intersection of journalism, truth, and global conspiracies. Inspired by real-life investigative efforts like those of Bellingcat, the show transforms factual threads into a suspense-driven fictional narrative.
The trailer for The Kollective season 1, which was recently released by Hulu, opens with the line:
"I don't think the plane crash was an accident."
Visually, the trailer presents a fast-paced montage of coded conversations, underground investigations, and threats from state actors. It hints at a dark plot involving political assassinations, media cover-ups, and rogue intelligence activity, as a group of young citizen journalists risk their lives to expose the truth. The Kollective season 1 uses these real-world inspirations to frame a fictional yet grounded story.
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The Kollective season 1 release date and streaming details
The Kollective season 1 will be released on June 10, 2025, exclusively on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the US. The global release will be coordinated by the European Alliance, which includes France Télévisions, Rai Fiction, and ZDF. The Dutch platform Videoland will handle streaming in the Netherlands. The release date was confirmed in a press announcement from Hulu.
All six episodes of the series will be available on the same day for binge-viewing. Subtitles will be provided in multiple languages, including English, Italian, and German.
Below is a region-wise breakdown of the release timings for The Kollective season 1:
Filming locations include Budapest, St. Petersburg, and London. No reports have surfaced of cast changes or production delays.
The Kollective season 1 cast and crew
The Kollective season 1 features an international ensemble cast including Natascha McElhone, Gregg Sulkin, Celine Buckens, Grégory Montel, Felix Mayr, and Orsolya Bukovszky. Supporting roles are played by Timothy V. Murphy, Roy McCrerey, Sergej Onopko, Rebecka Johnston, Katia Bokor, and others.
The show is directed by Assaf Bernstein and Randa Chahoud. The writing team includes Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli—known for their work on Gomorrah and ZeroZeroZero—with Ed Hemming (The Crown) serving as co-executive producer.
The Kollective season 1 plot deep dive
The Kollective season 1 follows a team of young citizen journalists who unite after the death of a colleague in a suspicious plane crash in the Congo. What begins as a quest for answers escalates into a multinational investigation into government corruption, secret military operations, and political cover-ups.
Set across cities like Budapest, St. Petersburg, and London, the team pursues leads that reveal a network of rogue governments, assassinated political candidates, and manipulated evidence. As they expose these secrets, they must also protect their identities and navigate ethical dilemmas about how much risk is worth the truth.
The series explores themes of truth, accountability, and sacrifice. It emphasizes the human toll behind journalism and the fight to maintain credibility in an era of misinformation.
The Kollective behind-the-scenes and production insights
Behind the scenes, The Kollective season 1 brings together an international creative team focused on realism, technical precision, and visual storytelling. The series is directed by Assaf Bernstein and Randa Chahoud, with writing by Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli. Meanwhile, Ed Hemming serves as a co-executive producer.
The production's visual design was led by Alexei Tylevich, with Robrecht Heyvaert and Lennert Hillige serving as directors of photography. Alison Riva oversaw production design. Executive production was a joint effort between Submarine’s Femke Wolting and representatives from A+E Media Group, Rai Fiction, ZDF, and France Télévisions.
Financial backing came from Creative Europe, Eurimages, the Netherlands Film Fund, and the Council of Europe Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions.
Speaking to Deadline on January 31, 2024, executive producer Femke Wolting stated that the show:
"highlights the bravery of the individuals who will do everything in their power to protect each other and the society around them."
Writer Leonardo Fasoli added:
"The battle for truth against fake news is the battle of our time."
The production team aimed to merge compelling storytelling with current themes of journalistic integrity, surveillance, and global cooperation, ensuring the show resonates both visually and politically. As more information becomes available, its reception will likely depend on how well it balances fiction with the sensitivities of its real-world inspirations.
