Netflix announced a series order for Archive 81, an original story loosely inspired by the popular found-footage horror podcast from creator, showrunner, and executive producer Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Vampire Diaries, The Boys) and it is executive produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster and directed by Rebecca Thomas.
The cast includes Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World: Dominion; Uncorked; Oh Jerome, No) as Dan Turner and Dina Shihabi (Ya Bint, Altered Carbon, Ramy, Jack Ryan) as Melody Pendras.
When archivist Dan Turner (Athie) takes a mysterious job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994, he finds himself reconstructing the work of documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Shihabi) and her investigation into a dangerous cult. As Dan is drawn into Melody’s story, he becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.
Archive 81 will consist of eight 1-hour episodes
Thomas (Stranger Things, Limetown) also serves as executive producer and will direct half of the season, including the first episode.
James Wan and Michael Clear are executive producers; Rob Hackett is a co-executive producer.
Paul Harris Boardman (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Deliver Us From Evil) developed the original script.
The original Archive 81 podcast was created by Marc Sollinger and Daniel Powell who serve as co-producers on the series.
Rebecca Sonnenshine said in a statement: “With Archive 81, we’re hoping to give the supernatural horror genre a new twist — while keeping a dark, deeply emotional romance as its core. Alongside the talented Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi, and visionary partners Atomic Monster and Rebecca Thomas, I’m excited to take Netflix viewers on a terrifying and visually thrilling adventure.”
