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Podcast-to-TV adaptations: new and upcoming

By Euan Franklin on 14/2/2019

A habit in television is emerging, one that might well become the norm in a few years.
Podcasting is a fairly new medium, built from the freedom of the Internet. It became immediately popular, with downloads reaching into the tens of millions.
And now TV wants to grab at the countless story opportunities that podcasters offer. It's no surprise really – why wouldn't they?
Here’s a list of the best new and upcoming series that have been and will be adapted for the televisual medium. Get your phone ready to download all of them

Julia Roberts and Stephen James in Homecoming

Homecoming, Amazon Prime

Homecoming started life as a limited podcast series starring Oscar Isaac and David Schwimmer – now it’s evolved to Amazon Prime with one of TV’s best directors, Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), helming every episode.

The story follows the psychologist Heidi Bergman (Julia Roberts), who works at the Homecoming facility used to readjust soldiers into civilian life.

The series claps back and forward in time, between Heidi’s Homecoming days and many years later when she’s a waitress in a seedy diner. Before long, a Department of Defense auditor swings by the diner and asks her some questions about the facility. She definitely has something to hide…

WHEN

Out now

WHERE

Amazon Prime

Dirty John, Netflix

L.A. Times journalist Christopher Goffard must be chuffed. His extensive work covering the story of conman John Meehan spawned his extremely popular podcast as well as a book, and Bravo made an 8-part series out of it.

Now, Dirty John is available to stream on Netflix.

Starring Connie Britton and Eric Bana, the show portrays interior designer Debra Newell who finds John on an online dating site and goes out with him – eventually leading to a serious relationship. But Debra’s daughters are deeply suspicious of their mum’s new man. And John has plenty of dirty secrets.

WHEN

Out now

WHERE

Netflix

The Case Against Adnan Syed, Sky Atlantic

Serial revolutionised the podcast format and reignited a morbid interest in true crime stories, having an undoubtable influence on the success of Making A Murderer in 2015.

Season 1 focused on the murder of the 18-year-old schoolgirl Hae Min Lee in 1999, which led to the conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed. After 17 years of jail, the judge sought to reassess the case – calling into question whether Syed was indeed the murderer.

In April, a new four-part HBO documentary aims to continue Adnan Syed’s story from where Serial abruptly finished. In The Case Against Adnan Syed, director Amy Berg brings even more information to light with new interviews, including one with Syed himself.

WHEN

Monday 1 April 2019

WHERE

Sky Atlantic

Lore, Amazon Prime

Everybody loves a good horror story. But what about the ones that really happened? Well, apparently happened. OK, the stories that people say happened to make them more scary…

The Lore podcast – hosted by Aaron Manhke – is like a campfire storytelling experience, in which ‘true’ and terrifying folktales are told in the dark. The series tackled real-life occurences of ghosts, witches, werewolves, and vampires. How could you not have a TV series about this?

Thankfully, there's one on Amazon Prime. Taking a different tale for each episode, the TV series provides a new and visually horrifying angle to these infamous stories.

WHEN

Out now

WHERE

Amazon Prime

Welcome to Night Vale, FX

Night Vale sounds like a scary place, a secluded American town where weird and terrifying events happen without explanation. The format is a radio news programme hosted by Cecil Palmer (sharing a surname with Twin Peaks’ Laura Palmer), telling the latest news in the strange community of Night Vale.

Since its early beginnings in 2012, Welcome to Night Vale has captured the imaginations of millions and has spawned a dedicated fanbase. A particular fan favourite is Khoshekh, a hovering cat that gives birth to poisonous kittens.

A TV series is currently in development, with Better Call Saul’s Gennifer Hutchinson helming the project for FX. Adapting from a specific radio show might prove to be tricky, but we’re looking forward to watching the result (if only to see a big-budget, visual interpretation of a hovering cat).

WHEN

TBC

WHERE

FX

Goop, Netflix

Whether it’s your thing or not, Goop is coming to Netflix.

Based on the podcast hosted by Hollywood actor Gwyneth Paltrow and the company CCO Elise Loehnen, the series will interview celebrities, doctors, and basically anyone with a view on alternative health and Goop’s spiritual philosophy.

Coming under fire from many experts, Goop has been subject to plenty of mockery and controversy – namely in bizarre products like jade vaginal eggs and 24K gold dildoes. But that doesn’t affect the sales, and many will undoubtedly flock to this new series. At least the show has intrigue…

WHEN

TBC

WHERE

Netflix