Madelaine Petsch podcast The Shadow Diaries tells of pop stars and demons

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Riverdale's Madelaine Petsch and Kara Hayward of MOONRISE KINGDOM are lending their voices to the serialized scripted podcast The Shadow Diaries for Studio71 and Snarled Entertainment. The first three episodes of the show are already available to listen to from various sources, including Apple Podcasts.

Directed by K. Asher Levin, who also wrote the scripts with Zack Imbrogno, The Shadow Diaries is a "genre-bending" series that will 

uncover the terrifying reality behind the glitz and glamour of the world's number one popstar. It follows wide-eyed journalist Secco (Hayward) as she gets her first assignment, to shadow her childhood musical idol, the elusive popstar Eliza Gold (Petsch). As she sets out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a global pop sensation, Shana soon finds that Eliza Gold's surprise comeback may actually be the sinister workings of a mysterious group known as "The Divinity." But while Shana settles into her new life amongst the rich and famous, she is forced to question her own sanity and well-being as demonic forces begin to creep into every aspect of her life. Will Shana be able to look past the celeb parties, exclusive clubs and five-star treatment as Eliza Gold's new best friend, or will they both succumb to the Hellish forces of The Divinity?

Levin released the following statement about the podcast, slipping in a mention that he and Hayward are also going to be working together on a horror film.

This is a story I’ve wanted to tell ever since I was touring with my own band years ago. My writing partner Zack Imbrogno and I have had such a wonderful experience working with the team at Studio71 on what I hope will be the first of many projects. I’m also grateful for our spectacular cast who lent their voices to this project and a special thanks to one of our leads, Kara Hayward, who I get the pleasure to work with again on the horror film I’m directing and co-wrote, which starts shooting next month."

Executive producer Gayle Gilman added, 

I wanted to create a narrative podcast that would captivate fans of Snarled Entertainment’s weekly ghost stories as well as fans of the typical horror genre seen in TV and films today. We’ve loved working with Studio71’s podcast team on Something Scary and their scripted team’s experience with the V/H/S horror anthology franchise made them the best partner for this edge-of-your-seat supernatural thriller series."

Also providing voices of characters in the podcast are Constance Zimmer, Davi Santos, Carter Jenkins, Lydia Hearst, Brighton Sharbino, Saxon Sharbino, Zack Justice, and the legendary Clint Howard.