‘Archive 81’ Creators Set Their Next Podcast, Conspiracy Thriller ‘Wavelength’ (EXCLUSIVE)
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Podcast creators Dan Powell and Marc Sollinger, the duo behind popular horror series “Archive 81” — which has been adapted for television by Netflix — have set up their third podcast, “Wavelength,” involving a mysterious and sprawling supernatural conspiracy.
The 10-episode first season of “Wavelength” is set to premiere Feb. 16, 2022, on all major podcast platforms. The series is produced by Dead Signals, Powell and Sollinger’s production company.
In “Wavelength,” after investigating a mysterious incident at a tech company, two government agents are drawn into a strange conspiracy involving secretive billionaires, eccentric artists, college professors –and otherworldly entities. Like “Archive 81,” the series uses a “found-footage” conceit. “Wavelength” is a mystery “about the monsters we create, and the people who have to fight them,” according to the pair.
“Archive 81,” which debuted in March 2016, was the first podcast from Powell and Sollinger. The story revolves around an archivist’s investigation into an old cache of videotapes that hold clues to the existence of a demonic cult in an apartment building. The New York Times called it “innovative” and Nerdist featured the show on a list of “10 Horror Fiction Podcasts to Haunt Your Dreams.” Netflix developed it into a TV series that premieres on the streamer this Friday, Jan. 14, executive produced by Rebecca Sonnenshine (“The Boys,” “The Vampire Diaries”) and horror maestro James Wan (Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring film franchises).
“We really think that ‘Wavelength’ pushes forward what fiction podcasts can be,” Powell and Sollinger said in a statement. “It takes what we’re doing with ‘Archive 81’ and it takes it to the next level. We believe the combination of mystery and horror is really unique and plays to the strength of the audio medium. We’re so excited for people to take a listen.”
Dead Signals’ second podcast was “The Deep Vault,” released in 2016. It’s set in the almost-post-apocalyptic U.S. about a group of longtime friends as they journey from the uninhabitable surface world into a mysterious underground bunker in search of safety — encountering robotic servants and monsters in the claustrophobic, steel-reinforced walls of The Deep Vault.
Powell and Sollinger have backgrounds in audio storytelling, having worked at The New York Times’ The Daily and The Moth.
Pictured above: Dan Powell (l.), Marc Sollinger
Dina Shihabi Trusts the Process
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The stars have aligned to bring Dina Shihabi good fortune at more than one crucial juncture in her acting career. First, they came together to grant Shihabi—who was born and raised in Dubai and is of Saudi Arabian, Norwegian, Palestinian, German, and Haitian descent—a place in NYU’s Tisch graduate program. Originally, she’d wanted to go to Juilliard, and bad; she saw a production of The Seagull directed by acting teacher Richard Feldman there and thought to herself, That’s the kind of actor I want to be. “Magically,” as she tells me from her parents’ home in Portugal one evening via Zoom, that very same teacher came to NYU to direct her class’ turn at the Anton Chekhov play. “It felt like, there is a god,” she adds. “Or some divine power.”
Years later, kismet arrived at her doorstep once more. After graduating from NYU in 2014, she’d made a name for herself as an actor, with appearances on Jack Ryan, Ramy, and the Netflix series Altered Carbon. While working on the latter series, the executives on the show told her they’d bought the rights to an upcoming, unnamed project she’d “actually be perfect for,” Shihabi remembers. The following year, she received the script for another Netflix series called Archive 81. “I was like, This is the best thing I’ve been sent in a long time,” she recalls. “The pilot’s incredible. I texted my friend who was an exec on Altered Carbon. I asked who was behind the show.” Turns out, it was the very series she’d been told about in 2019.
After not one, not two, but three false starts in which other actors were cast in Archive 81, Shihabi finally nabbed the starring role of Melody Pendras in the series, which debuts on January 14. (Throughout this entire grueling process, she notes that she “had this weird feeling that the part would come back around, that the casting director would call me and be like, it’s yours.”)
Archive 81, co-produced by Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Boys) and adapted from a podcast of the same name, is a horror-slash-thriller that centers Melody and an archivist named Dan, played by Mamoudou Athie, in parallel narratives. Dan, an employee at the Museum of the Moving Image in modern-day Queens, New York, is assigned the task of reviving damaged videotapes filmed by Melody, a grad student, back in 1994. In the footage, Melody discusses work she’s planning on doing at an East Side apartment building named the Visser, which Dan finds out burned down the very same year that Melody began recording the tapes. While both characters attempt to get to the bottom of the story behind the building, they become increasingly wrapped up in its mysterious origins.
Although this is Shihabi’s first time in a top billing spot, it’s far from her first rodeo. And frankly, to attribute her acting chops or past gigs to pure luck would be an unfair misrepresentation of her career thus far. Shihabi got her start as a dancer, joining Sharmila Kamte’s dance company in Dubai at the age of 12. “I went home the night after my first dance class and told my Arab parents, ‘I’m gonna be a professional dancer,’” she recalls. “When I left the room, my dad immediately told my mom, ‘Fuck no, that won’t happen.’” Shihabi, who grew up Muslim, says her mother, who was raised in the south of France, “fought my battles behind the scenes for me.”
“Growing up in Dubai, which is a Muslim Arab country, was amazing—I love my culture so much. There’s so much beauty to it,” Shihabi says. “But there’s also a lot of expectation and restrictions to be one sort of girl I was expected to be—not by my parents, who are remarkable people and allowed me to be whoever I wanted to be. But culturally, there are expectations that make you feel boxed in: really polite and sweet and with an expected submissiveness. And when I walked into that dance class, it was the first time I ever felt like I had space to be myself.”
For three years, she danced nonstop—until the family moved to Lebanon, where Shihabi dabbled in acting. “This acting bug was ignited, and I was so set on the idea that I could do both,” she says. At 18 years old, she moved to New York City in pursuit of her double-career. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan in the morning, and performed at Broadway Dance Center at night. “My first job was as a dancer on SNL—I would do digital shorts with Andy Sandberg,” Shihabi tells me brightly.
While recounting her personal history, the actress’ stories are peppered with memories of gigs, side hustles, late-night shows, and getting up early in the morning to do it all again. It’s clear her tenacity and work ethic—combined with that very special bit of luck—has gotten her this far. “Dance taught me a discipline,” she says. “When you’re a dancer, you have to dance every day. You have to be committed to it completely. I think I have that mentality when it comes to acting. I give it the same kind of discipline.”
There’s one more story Shihabi tells me before signing off in which the career gods were kind to her. Once the actress got the role in Archive 81 and found out who her costars were going to be, she realized Athie, who plays Dan, was someone she’d known since she was 18 years old. They auditioned for Juilliard and NYU at the same time, went through the whole process together. He attended the American Conservatory around the same time she did. And they met at a house party in New York City as youngsters.
“To do this with him felt really special,” she says of Archive 81’s full-circle feeling. “Acting together felt quite emotional, I think, for both of us.”
5 good Netflix shows this weekend: Archive 81, Cheer season 2, and more
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In from the Cold release date, cast, synopsis, trailer and more
In from the Cold release date, cast, synopsis, trailer and more by Sabrina Reed
Happy weekend Netflix Life readers! Hopefully, you are filling up your January with some great new Netflix shows.
There are some fantastic series that have released new seasons within the past month that are wildly popular. Cobra Kai, Stay Close, Emily in Paris, The Witcher, and Queer Eye have new episodes.
If you are in the mood for a great comedy binge, check out Community, Space Force, 30 Rock, New Girl, Schitt’s Creek, and many more.
Best Netflix shows January 15, 2022
Check out the top 5 best Netflix shows to watch this weekend!
Archive 81
The new horror series Archive 81 is now available on Netflix. This series is inspired by a found footage podcast of the same title.
This series sees archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) on the job of restoring some videotapes from 1994. As he delves deeper into the story, he makes a strange, supernatural connection with the documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), whose tapes he is working on.
From the looks of the trailer, this one will be enjoyed by fans of supernatural horrors.
Cheer season 2
The sports docuseries, Cheer, has released its second season recently, and it is already sitting at number one on the Netflix top TV shows list for this week.
The series follows the College Bulldogs Cheer Team from Corsicana, Texas, coached by Monica Aldama. Fans love the reality series for amazingly talented members of the cheer team and the fierce competitions that the group must perform in. Their ultimate goal is to compete in the National Cheerleading Championship held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The House
The new release, The House, is a unique concept that sees a different director for each of the three chapters in the first season. Each of the stories tells a different story related to the same house.
The series tells connected yet standalone stories that run about 30 minutes each in a proper anthology format. The stories are dark, creepy, and morbid, so keep that in mind if you have some younger viewers. The House was recently released and praised for its stop motion animation.
Some voice talents include Helena Bonham Carter, Matthew Goode, Claudie Blakley, Miranda Richardson, and Paul Kaye.
Sweet Magnolias
The series Sweet Magnolias currently has one season to stream, with a second coming on Feb. 4. This is the opportune time to watch the first season while preparing for the second.
Sweet Magnolias is based on the series of novels by Sherryl Woods. The series follows three gals who have been best friends since childhood and live in South Carolina. They help each other through all the growing pains of life, romance, career, and family.
The series stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley, Logan Allen, Anneliese Judge, Carson Rowland, Justin Bruening, Chris Klein, and Jamie Lynn Spears.
Bridgerton
Season 2 of the period romance Bridgerton will release on March 25. For now, you can revisit the splendor of season 1 that is available to stream.
The series is based on a series of novels by Julia Quinn that follows the Bridgerton family of Regency London. Bridgerton was created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes.
Season 1 focuses on the eldest daughter, Daphne, and her introduction into society to search for a perfect match. The series brings to life the lavish days of the Regency when the ton came out for the season. Things are even more interesting as a new columnist, Lady Whistledown, circulates her newsletter reveals everyone’s deepest secrets to all of society.
What Netflix shows will you be watching this weekend?
Netflix Debuts Horror Series ‘Archive 81’
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Friday, January 14, 2022
ABC
8:00 p.m. “Shark Tank”
9:00 p.m. “20/20” (two hours)
CBS
8:00 p.m. “Undercover Boss”
9:00 p.m. “Magnum P.I.
10:00 p.m. “Blue Bloods”
NBC
8:00 p.m. “The Wall”
9:00 p.m. “Dateline” (two hours)
Fox:
8:00 p.m. “WWE Friday Night Smackdown!”
CW:
8:00 p.m. “Penn & Teller: Fool Us”
9:00 p.m. “Nancy Drew”
PBS:
8:00 p.m. “Washington Week”
8:30 p.m. “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover”
9:00 p.m. “Stars on Stage From Western Country Playhouse”
10:00 p.m. “In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl” (R)
Of Note on Cable or Digital:
-“The Expanse” (Amazon, 12:01 a.m. ET): season finale
-“Archive 81” (Netflix, 3:01 a.m. ET): series premiere
-“After Life” (Netflix, 3:01 a.m. ET): series finale
-“The Cabin Chronicles” (Discovery+, 3:01 a.m. ET): season premiere
-“Home Sweet Home” (Peacock, 3:01 a.m. ET): series finale
-“The House” (Netflix, 3:01 a.m. ET): series premiere
-“King of the Con” (Discovery+, 3:01 am. ET): series premiere
-“Secrets Of Sulphur Springs” (Disney, 8 p.m. ET): season premiere
TV This Weekend: Showtime’s Ray Donovan Movie, After Life, and Archive 81 Headline Weekend TV
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Photos: Showtime, Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Apple TV+
Two years after it unceremoniously got the axe after its seventh season cliffhanger finale, Ray Donovan returns to Showtime this weekend with a wrap-up movie that promises to bring closure for Liev Schreiber’s iconic fixer. Plus, Ricky Gervais’ After Life wraps after three seasons, Netflix brings viewers into the world of dangerous cults and supernatural forces in Archive 81, and Hotel Transylvania jumps to streaming with the fourth film in the franchise. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this weekend:
FRIDAY JANUARY 14
Ray Donovan: The Movie: Original film. After the events of Season 7, Mickey (Jon Voight) remains on the run, but Ray (Liev Schreiber) is determined to find and stop him before he can cause any more damage. The wrap-up film also weaves together present-day fallout from the Donovan/Sullivan feud with Ray and Mickey’s origin story from 30 years ago. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on Showtime (airs again Saturday and Sunday nights)
After Life: Complete third season (series finale). Still devastated by his wife’s death, Tony (Ricky Gervais) goes on a trip to scatter his father’s ashes. Along the way, he takes steps to embrace his future, while slowly letting go of the past. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix
Archive 81: Complete first season. When an archivist (Mamoudou Athie) takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994, he finds himself drawn into a documentarian’s investigation of a dangerous cult and her subsequent disappearance. Dina Shihabi, Martin Donovan, Matt McGorry, and Julia Chan also star. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania: Original film. When Van Helsing’s “Monsterification Ray” goes haywire, Drac and Johnny team up to find a cure before it’s too late. The animated film landed on Amazon after the Delta variant scuttled plans for a October 2021 theatrical premiere. Watch trailer. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
The Expanse: Series finale. After six seasons, the Syfy-turned-Amazon drama ends with an episode that sees all-out war breakout between Marco Inaros’ (Keon Alexander) Free Navy and the united forces against him. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
The Tragedy of Macbeth: Original film. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand headline Joel Coen’s updated take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The Oscar favorite, which also stars Corey Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, and Bertie Carvel, opened in select theaters on Christmas Day. Watch trailer. Streaming on Apple TV+
The House: Complete first season. Netflix follows three generations of families inhabiting the same otherworldly house in this stop motion animated dark comedy featuring voice work from Matthew Goode, Mia Goth, Miranda Richardson, and Helena Bonham-Carter. Read our review. Streaming on Netflix
Sex Appeal: Original film. An overachieving high school student (Mika Abdalla) sets out to master her sexuality, employing her oldest friend, Larson (Jake Short), as her test subject. The raunchy new teen comedy is the latest film from American High, the indie studio behind Plan B and The Ultimate Playlist of Noise. Watch trailer. Streaming on Hulu
ER: Complete series. Michael Crichton’s iconic medical drama finds a new home on HBO Max, where all 15 seasons are now available to stream. Streaming on HBO Max
Secrets of Sulphur Springs: Season premiere. Griffin (Preston Oliver), Savannah (Elle Graham), and Harper (Kyliegh Curran) find themselves face to face with Harper’s carbon copy, and the Tremont ghost sends Harper and Griffin an important message. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Disney Channel
RuPaul’s Drag Race: New episode. 8:00 PM ET on VH1
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Cable premiere. After streaming last year on Paramount+, All Stars Season 6 makes its linear debut on VH1, with episodes airing every Friday night through April. Watch trailer. 10:00 PM ET on VH1
SATURDAY JANUARY 15:
Saturday Night Live: West Side Story star Ariana DeBose makes her hosting debut in SNL’s first show since Omicron shut down production of Paul Rudd’s December 18 episode. With musical guest Bleachers. 11:29 PM ET/8:30 PM PT on NBC
NFL Football: The 2022 playoffs get underway with a host of wildcard games:
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals 4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM PT on NBC and Peacock
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills 8:15 PM ET/5:15 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+
Safe Room: TV movie. After an autistic 14-year-old (Nik Sanchez) witnesses and records a murder across the street, her and his mother (Nicole Ari Parker) will need to use all of their strength and intelligence to outsmart the murderers (Mackenzie Astin and Drea De Matteo) hell-bent on retreiving the evidence of their crime. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime
The Perfect Pairing: TV movie. Hallmark goes for a lighter mood with this romance about a food and wine critic who suffers amnesia after she slips and falls at a winery she once panned . Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark Channel
NBA Basketball: The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets jockey for position in the Western Conference in a marquee matchup. 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on NBA TV
SUNDAY JANUARY 16
Somebody Somewhere: Series premiere. Bridgett Everett created and stars in this new comedy series about a Kansas woman’s journey to discover herself through singing. Read our review. 10:35 PM ET on HBO
America’s Funniest Home Videos: New episode. The long-running series is set to pay tribute to Bob Saget with clips and remembrances at the top of this week’s epsiode. Watch preview. 7:00 PM ET on ABC
Britannia: Season premiere. As the Roman invasion of Britain continues, the ruthless General Aulus Plautius (David Morrissey) sets out to capture and kill Cait (Eleanor Worthington-Cox), the Chosen One, leaving her more vulnerable than she could ever imagine. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on EPIX
NFL Football: Wildcard weekend continues with three more games:
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT on FOX
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys 4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM PT on CBS, Nickelodeon, Paramount+ and Amazon
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs 8:15 PM ET/5:15 PM PT on NBC and Peacock
Around the World in 80 Days: New episode. Stuck on Yemen’s west coast, Fogg (David Tennant) commits to a dangerous crossing, leaving Abigail Fix (Leonie Benesch) in hostile territory. 8:00 PM ET on PBS
The Real Murders of Atlanta: Docuseries premiere. Oxygen aims to shine a light on “the dark side of the New South” as it explores a series of startling homicide cases in Atlanta. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Oxygen
Two Sentence Horror Stories: Season premiere. The fan fiction-inspired series returns with a new batch of horrific tales about evil plants, demonic dolls, and more. Two episodes air back-to-back tonight. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on The CW
Reframed: Marilyn Monroe: Docuseries premiere. CNN explores the life and legacy of the Hollywood icon in a four-part series narrated by Jessica Chastain. Two episodes air tonight, followed by two next Sunday. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on CNN
Yellowjackets: Season finale. In 1996, salvation finally comes for the stranded Yellowjackets, but the effects of their 19 months in the wilderness continue to haunt them, 25 years later. Watch preview. 10:00 PM ET on Showtime
Claire Spellberg Lustig is the TV Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.