Premiering Tuesday, April 22 with its first two episodes on all major podcast platforms, fans of daytime soap operas can look forward to tuning in for the gripping all-new audio drama “Montecito,” created by Grant Rutter, which promises explosive drama and tantalizing tales of betrayal featuring unforgettable characters voiced by several familiar faces.

Set in the sun-drenched enclave of the ultra-wealthy, “Montecito” presents a dark paradise where shattered romances, hidden family secrets, and scandalous affairs hide behind manicured hedges and the shadows of towering palm trees. 

The 10-episode series is the latest to join the fast-growing audio drama space that already includes “Forever and a Day,” “Around the Sun,” “Limetown,” “Wolf 359,” “Blackout” and “Alice Isn’t Dead,” among others.

During each 20-minute episode, releasing weekly on Tuesdays, listeners will immerse themselves in a world of deception as the battle to maintain one’s success gets thwarted by those who plot to steal it when a malignant narcissist infiltrates the lives of longtime residents, ensnaring them in a web of sex and scandal. Loyalties will crumble, families will fracture, and no secret is safe.

Serving as series announcer will be “General Hospital” star Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), with a voice cast that includes Crystal Chappell (“Guiding Light,” “Days of our Lives”) as Helena Granville-Belasco, a fiercely protective matriarch who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty; Vincent Irizarry (“All My Children,” “Guiding Light”) as Bradley Belasco, an alpha businessman and ageless playboy; “Beyond the Gates star Mike Manning (Bradley “Smitty” Smith) as JJ Roman, a reckless, alcoholic nepo-baby whose destructive choices threaten his family’s legacy; Peter Porte (“Days of our Lives,” “The Young and the Restless”) as the brooding Deacon Granville, a gay man burdened by his moral compass and his toxic marriage to a woman; Emme Rylan (“General Hospital,” “Guiding Light”) as Bethany Gina Roman-Quinn, the overachieving COO of the family business who’s as sharp as she is relentless; Marc Anthony Samuel (“General Hospital”) as Gio Carreri, an even-keeled resident confronted with ghosts from his past; Kelly Thiebaud (“General Hospital”) as the straight-talking Dr. Layla Carreri; Chelsea Rendon (“Vida”) as Mina Rast-Granville, a treacherous narcissist with an iron grip on her Montecito lifestyle and marriage of convenience; and Jake Getman (“American Dad!”) as Diego Granville, a young man growing up in the eye of the storm.

In addition to creating the independently produced series, Rutter also executive produces, with Andrew Pemberton-Fowler serving as executive story editor and Trae Budde as supervising sound editor.

Watch the official trailer below.

Michael Fairman TV first reported the news on the new audio drama series.

Note: The post Audio Drama ‘Montecito’ Sets Premiere Date, Announces Voice Cast appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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I am ready for this! Love the cast. Mike Manning is out here getting to the coins hunty!

Well this is certainly interesting!  I'll listen because the characters sound good, but is it only going to be 10 20-minute episodes?  That doesn't seem like much time to really tell a story.  Maybe they'll have a 'season 2' if this one goes well.

This looks and sounds quite interesting and original. Happy it's not some stolen concept/idea from others out there. We love seeing people actually have originality.

The first two episodes are out and are extremely well done. Looking forward to more. Wishing this much success! 

Have to check it out. I love audio-drama! And most of the time... all drama is audio-drama to me, since I like to close my eyes while "watching" shows. 😊

On 4/23/2025 at 11:40 AM, Melroser said:

The first two episodes are out and are extremely well done. Looking forward to more. Wishing this much success! 

Agreed!  I just listened to the first episode and thought it was well-produced and entertaining!  

This may change over time, but my only critique is Mina.  Her voice isn't my cup of tea.

Wonder if we should start a Montecito thread to continue the conversation for those listening?

@AbcNbc247

Your guy!  Peter Porte..

 

Episode 3 came out this week and it was good!  I'm really enjoying this show, my only issue is that the episodes are so short and only released weekly!  The momentum steams out...

Its weird hearing JJ when all I can think about is Smitty from BTG hahaha.

I'm still waiting to hear Vincent Irizarry.  3 episodes in and he's still not on. 

Otherwise, really enjoying this show and can't wait to hear what happens next!

8 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

@AbcNbc247

Your guy!  Peter Porte..

 

Still as gorgeous as ever 😍😍😊

I really need to start listening to these episodes.

Peter Porte to appear on The Locher Room, August 6, 2025