This post was originally published on Audible.com.
Audio dramas date back decades, to a time when every home had a radio and life revolved around that programming—from news to talk shows to entertainment in the form of audio dramas. Though their popularity waned with the rise of television and the internet, audio dramas are getting new life thanks to the popularity and prevalence of podcasts.
If you love episodic stories and audio storytelling of all genres, then you need these audio drama podcasts in your life. With great writing from some of the best creators and up-and-coming writers, fantastic performances from a wide range of acclaimed actors, and immersive storytelling crafted uniquely for audio, these scripted fictional podcasts are real standouts. Here are just a few of the best audio drama podcasts out there to jumpstart your next listening journey.
Written by John Mankiewicz, Jamie Napoli, and Paul Jarrico, this Audible Original podcast is a fictionalized account of a true story, uncovering what really happened when the FBI decided to intervene in the production of a Hollywood movie, fearing that it was a secret attempt to recruit for the Communist Party. Starring Jon Hamm, Kate Mara, Ana de la Reguera, and a full cast of narrators, The Big Lie is a fascinating and suspenseful look at the impact wrought by McCarthyism at the height of America’s Red Scare.
Written by Joseph Fink and produced by the same team that brought you Welcome to Night Vale, this unsettling podcast is about a woman named Keisha whose wife Alice is dead—or so she thinks. One night while watching TV, she sees Alice in the background of a breaking news story ... and then another, and another. Determined to travel the country and research her Alice sightings, Keisha takes a job as a long haul truck driver, and along the way, she uncovers a massive paranormal conspiracy that could change the world. Jasika Nicole narrates Alice Isn't Dead, capturing this podcast's elements of mystery, travelogue, and tension.
Archive 81 is the podcast inspiration behind the well-reviewed Netflix TV show of the same name. It follows Dan, who specializes in archival recovery of audio recordings. He lands a strange job restoring the tapes of a woman named Melody Pendras, who was interviewing the residents of a historical apartment building in New York City when she uncovers evidence of bizarre happenings. Dan is isolated and alone in a bunker as he restores the tapes, trying to understand what happened to Melody 20 years earlier. The podcast is written and produced by Dan Powell and Marc Sollinger, and they lead the first season alongside a full cast.
Written by Mike Batistick, Fishpriest is set in the crack- and crime-ridden Bronx of 1993. In his very first, thrilling audio outing, Ethan Hawke gives voice to the story's troubled protagonist, Tommy "Fishpriest" Barth, a former cop turned bounty hunter whose obsession with bringing down the notorious Jamaican Shower Posse drove him to addiction, costing him his marriage and his badge. That was two years back, and he thought he'd rid the Bronx of this ruthless crime syndicate for good. But when they come back stronger than ever, Fishpriest gets a shot at redemption. Will it destroy him again? Listen to this Audible Original podcast series to find out.
Ten years ago in a small Tennessee town, more than 300 adults and children disappeared in the middle of the night. Presented as a fictional investigative series, this podcast stars an NPR-like radio reporter named Lia Haddock, who is determined to find out what happened that terrible night. Written by Zack Akers and starring Annie-Sage Whitehurst as Lia, Limetown won Best Fiction Podcast in 2016 from the Academy of Podcasters and was later adapted into a TV series starring Jessica Biel and Stanley Tucci.
In this podcast thriller, a flight over the Pacific Ocean carrying a billionaire's wife and daughter mysteriously vanished, leading him to launch an extravagant private search. Mikaela Soto, voiced by Gina Rodriguez, stars as a submersible pilot of a super yacht dispatched to find the truth. But as the mission gets underway, it seems that there is more to the story than they've been told—and there might even be a saboteur among them. Last Known Position has already been picked up for TV adaptation by Prime Video, with Rodriguez set to star.
Adapted from Neil Gaiman's groundbreaking, bestselling comic series, Audible and DC teamed up to create an audio drama adaptation of The Sandman, with Gaiman serving as co-executive producer and audio legend Dirk Maggs at the helm. The story follows Lord Morpheus, a.k.a. the Sandman, who is pulled from his realm of dreams and imprisoned on earth by a strange cult. When he escapes, he must go on a quest to retrieve three artifacts in order to regain his power and status—but of course, things are never quite that simple. While not technically categorized as a podcast, this star-studded production (the full cast includes James McAvoy, Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Neil Gaiman, Samantha Morton, Bebe Neuwirth, Andy Serkis, and Michael Sheen) is delightfully episodic--and when you've finished finished Act I, The Sandman: Act II awaits.
When the power grid fails across the nation, small town radio DJ Simon Itani is left to be the sole voice of communication and reason in his community as he tries to protect his family and those he loves. Academy Award winner Rami Malek is the producer and star of this podcast, and he's supported by actress Aja Naomi King in the second season. Two seasons of Blackout are available, both written by Scott Conroy.
A mystery podcast, Margaret's Garden takes place over the course of 10 years in the aftermath of WWII, when two brothers create a sort of safe haven that promises to be a "return to civility" called Evertown. But things aren't what they seem there—and one day, everyone in town vanishes. Two agents are sent to investigate, but soon find themselves transported into another world. This podcast is narrated by some of the most prominent voices in the podcasting community, including Zach Libresco, Jordan Cobb, Graham Rowat, and Tanja Milojevic.
Narrated by Octavia Chavez-Richmond, James Ludwig, Pun Bandhu, and Lizan Mitchell among a full cast, The Sea in the Sky is set in a future where climate change has pushed humanity to discover new habitats. As a result, marine biologist and astronaut Bee is given the chance to dive into the oceans on Saturn's moon, Enceladus. The oceans are pitch black and full of mysteries, and what Bee uncovers there could change everything. Written by Jackson Musker, this Audible Original podcast features an impressive soundscape with original music, including a never-before-heard space rap.
Set in the south of France in the early 20th century, The Swashbuckling Ladies Debate Society is a gripping alternate history podcast. In its world, a sinister group has united all of Europe under one emperor. As all seems lost, it's up to a lesbian couple named Zinnia and Saffron to keep hope alive and fight evil as it crops up in their small town of Massalia. Starring Amy Shaw as Zinnia and Anastasia Plumb as Saffron, this engrossing full cast podcast is written and directed by Kyle Olson.
In this quirky sci-fi comedy, 2022 teen poser Derek is sent back in time to 2005 by his substitute teacher to try and prevent the abduction of Avril Lavigne. The premise of takes its inspiration from a real-life internet urban legend and conspiracy theory that Avril Lavigne died in 2003 and was replaced by a body double to continue her career. Written by Anderson Cook and starring Ben Lapidus as the voice of Derek, Who Killed Avril Lavigne? features an original pop-punk-inspired score.
Produced by and starring Cole Sprouse, this eerie podcast unfolds through the voice of Sam, a parolee telling his parole officer about a formative and traumatizing event from his childhood. At age 12, Sam Walker moves with his family to the small mountain town of Drisking, Missouri, for his dad's job. He quickly makes two close friends. But his new life is upended by strange screams heard throughout the mountain that no one will explain—followed by the disappearance of Sam's sister. When more people go missing, Sam becomes determined to uncover the truth. Borrasca is a thriller for fans of scary stories.
The nemesis and foil for legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, Professor James Moriarty is known as one of the most notable foes in fiction. But what if Moriarty was not a villain but instead an innocent man framed for a dreadful crime? The Audible Original Moriarty stars Dominic Monaghan of Lost and Lord of the Rings fame in the title role, with a cast rounded out by Phil LaMarr, Billy Boyd, and Lindsay Whisler. Featuring world-class sound design and a script written by Charles Kindinger filled with intrigue and biting wit, this podcast is a must-listen for any Holmes fan.
If you're looking to be swept away by a science fiction podcast that evokes the feel of classic radio dramas, this nine-part series is sure to satisfy. The story centers on Giles, a young researcher at a university who stumbles across peculiar anomalies. Diving deeper, he uncovers hidden worlds that lurk beneath the surface of our reality that just may hold the secrets to how AI is controlled—and soon becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Originally written and released more than 20 years ago, The Fourth Ambit remains a thoughtful exploration of the future of technology, wrapped up in a riveting mystery.
Horror fans won't want to miss The Magnus Archives. This podcast devotes one episode to each of the mysteries lurking within the archives of the Magnus Institute, an organization dedicated to researching all things esoteric or weird. Our narrator and protagonist (and the show's writer and creator) is Jonathan Sims, and what starts out as his simple chronicle of oddities gradually morphs into something much more more chilling. Many episodes feature special guests, and as the show is complete, you can listen at your own pace.
Jack is a woefully unqualified repairperson—but since she desperately needs work, she pumps up her resumé. That choice really starts to haunt her when she realizes her new job isn't just about fixing things—her routine tasks include figuring out if a house needs flickering lights replaced … or an exorcist. And if brushing up on her handyperson skills while dealing with supernatural activity weren't complicated enough, she has a fierce crush on her new boss. A queer occult comedy, Jack of All Trades is performed by a full cast, led by Jaclyn Seelagy.
The Bright Sessions brilliantly turns a conventional audio format on its head. Presented as a series of recorded therapy sessions with various patients, this podcast centers on Dr. Bright, voiced by Julia Morizawa, who specializes in treating atypicals
—individuals with superpowers. Try counseling a time traveler whose panic attacks keep getting him stuck in the past, literally—or a mind manipulator. Created and written by Lauren Shippen, this series ran for six years and has hundreds of episodes to keep you entertained.
Starring famous YouTuber Markiplier, The Edge of Sleep is about a night watchman who has just come off a shift only to make a horrifying discovery—everyone who went to sleep the night before never woke up. A bizarre pandemic is sweeping the nation, killing people in their sleep, and it's up to him and a ragtag group of survivors to get to the bottom of things … before exhaustion takes hold. The first season of this series is complete at eight episodes, and a second season is coming in late 2022.
Set aboard the U.S.S. Hephaestus Research Station, which is orbiting a red dwarf star named Wolf 359, this series revolves around Doug, a communications officer stuck in a boring job monitoring radio waves. Far from home and lonely, with only a few other crew mates, he spends most of his time creating extensive audio logs about day-to-day life within the station. But at this deep into unknown space, weird things are bound to happen. Created by Gabriel Urbina and starring Zach Valenti, Wolf 359 hits all the notes of the best classic radio show dramas with a sci-fi twist.
Created by Lillian Holman, this is a lovely podcast about two women—a reclusive writer and a florist—who begin to fall in love with each other through the letters they exchange. Rose Green, voiced by Alex Marshall-Brown, finds that she must write letters to her father's favorite florist to fulfill a clause in his will, and she does so begrudgingly. Abigail Adams, voiced by Helen Highfield, loves books and flowers and is happy to receive Rose's letters—even if she soon begins to fear they're only written out of obligation. Described as an anxious love story,
Greenhouse offers a refreshing departure from the drama of science fiction and mystery podcasts.
This epic fantasy podcast is centered around Tumanbay, a vast and beautiful city that becomes the central focus of an empire. The first season kicks off with Gregor, Master of the Palace Guard, who is ordered to discover the source of rebellion within the city that might have dangerous ties to a far-off rebel group in the distant provinces. Created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and starring Rufus Wright and a full cast, Tumanbay boasts four seasons and two spin-off novels.
When Arnie accidentally falls through a portal behind a Burger King, he finds himself in another land called Foon, where magic and monsters prevail. Because he can still get a weak signal in the Vermillion Minotaur, a local pub, he decides to upload interviews and reports of his misadventures as a podcast. But it's not long before Arnie catches the attention of the evil Dark Lord and must learn how to evade him while still carrying on his show. Conjured up by and starring Arnie Niekamp, Hello from the Magic Tavern is in its fourth enchanting season, with new episodes uploaded every Monday.
If you watched and loved the acclaimed television show Orphan Black, then don't miss this podcast sequel written by Heli Kennedy, Madeline Ashby, Lindsay Smith, E.C. Myers, Malka Older, and Mishell Baker, and starring Tatiana Maslany herself. Set years after the end of Project LEDA, this show revisits all your character favorites and discovers more nefarious plots and twists of science set in the Orphan Black world.
Dust bills itself as a "sci-fi experience" with three seasons, each telling a different story with its own arc. The first season is an anthology of sci-fi stories from legendary authors such as Philip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury, mixed in with exciting new voices. Season two is another anthology of sorts, all telling the different stories of passengers on the same flight that lands 20 years after take-off. And the third season is an epic space opera about vengeance and redemption. Writers such as Daniel H. Wilson, Charles Yu, Nancy Kress, and many more have contributed, and the episodes regularly feature a full cast of narrators, including Moira Quirk, Alfred Molina, and Sarah Drew.
Created by Lauren Shippen, this mystery podcast set in New England during autumn brings 1990s vibes and plenty of nostalgia. Maxine Miles is a bored teen whose life starts to look more interesting when a classmate goes missing. She enlists the help of a fellow classmate named Ross, and as they investigate, they get drawn into the secrets contained in the woods surrounding the town. This podcast is unique for its choose-your-own ending—listen to the first nine episodes and then choose from three possible endings! Maxine Miles features a full cast, led by Jordan Cobb as Maxine.
In this unexpected and intriguing series, clients looking to fake their own death and abscond with a new identity turn to the Amelia Project for help. In turn, they are interviewed extensively about why they are seeking this route and their goals—but as the interviews progress, something eerie is slowly revealed. Created and written by Phillip Thorn and Øystein Ulsberg Brager, The Amelia Project is a podcast that builds slowly but with some satisfying twists, an emphasis on delightful beverages, and a full cast lending their voice talents.
Of this brand new Audible Original podcast, Audible editor Christina raves, “Come for the retelling, stay for the cast … I love when authors reimagine archetypal stories with a relatable and modern spin. So, I could not wait to dive into Randy McKinnon’s The Prophecy, both as a fan of his writing for the TV show Grand Army, and also as the daughter of a single mother. The Prophecy is a love letter to the strength and resilience of single moms in general, and one in particular. I’m rooting for Kerry Washington as Virginia. And the rest of the cast (Laurence Fishburne, Daniel Dae Kim, and David Oyelowo, just to name a few) make this listen unpauseable.”
