Realm to Release Star-Studded Psychological Thriller ‘Spark Hunter’ on 11/8

Written by John Edward Betancourt

For some time now, we’ve talked at length about Realm Media and their incredible work and rightfully so. Because they continue to just release one juggernaut audio drama or podcast series after another. The kind that pushes the envelope or offer epic stories with equally as epic casts and well, they’re showing no signs of slowing down regarding this. In fact, it is safe to say they’re actually managing to up their game… as evidenced by today’s announcement.
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For earlier today, Realm let it be known that not only will their brand-new futuristic psychological thriller, Spark Hunter, hit the airwaves on November 8 this year… but they also informed us that this series is going to feature an incredible cast. One complete with A-Listers such as Sting and Rebecca Ferguson. Who will give life to a fascinating and dynamic plot and well… without further ado, since your curiosity is now piqued… here are all the details on this new series and the cast roster for you to get super excited about, courtesy of Realm Media.

‘Spark Hunter, Realm’s eight-episode, conflict-filled psychological audio thriller directed and executive produced by filmmaker Trudie Styler, will debut on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th, it was announced today. Set twenty-two years in the future, the project’s star-studded cast includes Academy Award winner Mark Rylance, Golden Globe nominee Rebecca Ferguson, and Emmy nominated, SAG Award winning actor Charles Dance, who all executive produce. Spark Hunter marks director and executive producer Trudie Styler’s first foray into audio. 

The Fighter Steel Productions title is centered around a set of TOP SECRET covert recordings from the archives of the President of the United States illegally released by the world’s greatest expert in robotics. It’s his warning to humanity.  Co-written and created by podcast producer K.B. Miller and executive producer Teressa Tunney, the project was inspired both by Miller’s experience as principal investigator on an AI project for the U.S. Department of Defense and by the ethical dilemmas Tunney encountered in documenting the story of Korea’s comfort women.

Spark Hunter examines the story of the world’s most advanced robot (Ferguson) who is pitted against the NSA and POTUS who believe she’s gone rogue and are determined to decommission her.  Only her maker (Rylance) knows what danger she poses to the world and over a sumptuous meal, they discuss her moral dilemma and dark existential crisis, that make her technology a lethal weapon in the hands of Naval Intelligence.

With sharpshooters in position to take her out, and the NSA and the President listening in, her Maker must determine if she is a threat to herself or others as he tries to protect his masterpiece, a machine with an evolving consciousness who is increasingly drawn into one of the most human of struggles– the unrelenting desire to understand her purpose in the universe. As dessert is served, tension escalates when, in an act of treason, her Maker reveals shocking information about her programming that swings the story in a startling direction.  Their fateful dinner is recorded in The Spark Hunter File and released on Election Day, November 8, 2044.

In addition to Ferguson (Mission Impossible, Dune 2021, Reminiscence), Rylance (Bridge of Spies, Wolf Hall, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Don’t Look Up, The Phantom of the Open, The Outfit) and Dance (Game of Thrones, Mank) the stellar voice ensemble includes Kathleen Turner (Peggy Sue Got Married) , Vanessa Redgrave (Julia, Howard’s End), Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Gosford Park), Edward Hibbert (Frasier), Linda Powell (Morning Glory, The Report); Fisher Stevens (Succession, The Lincoln Project) De'Adre Aziza (She's Gotta Have it, Passing Strange); 
John Douglas Thompson (Till, The Bourne Legacy, For Life), and features guest appearances by world renowned recording artist Sting, and Eliot Sumner (The Gentlemen). Tony winner Gareth Fry (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) is the sound designer.

Molly Barton, Realm’s CEO and co-founder said: “I was in from the moment I heard  the incredible performances by Rebecca Ferguson, Mark Rylance and the many world renowned performers featured in this series. We are so pleased to partner with K.B., Teressa and Trudie on bringing Spark Hunter to the world -  it is an elegy on our collective future, a Blade Runner for today, and we’re so excited for listeners everywhere to experience it." 

Executive producer and director Trudie Styler added: “Part thriller and part love story, what I loved most about this podcast is how it reflects humanity,  showcasing our ability to spark change and make sense of our world through the stories we tell. But we must be intentional in our prose and tell stories that matter. Spark Hunter is just that kind of piece and I’m thrilled to work with Realm, KB, Teressa, Mark, Charles, Rebecca, and the rest of our extraordinary ensemble to bring this spectacular work to life and to listeners.”

K.B. Miller said: “With Spark Hunter, Teressa and I created an intimate drama set in the future, but its core themes and high stakes deliberately speak to the here and now. With Trudie’s deft direction, inspired casting and incredible sound design by Gareth Fry, this podcast will take listeners to another place and time, but one oddly familiar given the current state of our world. It is an exploration of ethics and informs our collective opportunity to be masters of our own fate as we tackle the many societal and environmental challenges we face -- most painfully real. It’s our story, about that spark of consciousness. A story of hope.”

Teressa Tunney added: “Creating this compelling piece of fiction with KB and partnering with Trudie has been empowering and deeply gratifying.  Spark Hunter is rooted in our belief that every conversation can incent a different future and that living fully is a celebration of difference. Our AI in this story, named ‘Her’, is a being with a moral code that we can all learn from – if we can find compassion and care for every thing, then we can find compassion for our neighbors in the world, for our rivers, mountains, oceans, and forests. The simplicity of that idea isn’t revolutionary, but it does have the power to shift the narrative about AI and an intelligent human sharing their lives as the basis for the future of all complex decision making.” 

About Realm: 
With more shows in the top fiction charts than any competitor, Realm is a category-defining audio entertainment company and the industry's largest fiction podcast network. Since the network’s launch in April 2021, nearly 90% Realm shows have reached the top 100 most popular fiction podcasts in the US, with more than 25% reaching the top 10.  Realm’s slate is anchored by #1 hit fiction podcasts and fan favorites like the Webby winner IF I GO MISSING THE WITCHES DID IT starring Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe, the #1 fiction podcast ECHO PARK with Harry Shum Jr.; Ambie-nominee ORPHAN BLACK: THE NEXT CHAPTER starring Emmy-winner Tatiana Maslany, MARIGOLD BREACH starring Jameela Jamil and Manny Jacinto; OUTLIERS narrated by Rory Culkin; BLACK FRIDAY with Fred Armisen; and MEMORY LANE, written by Sara Shepard, the New York Times bestselling creator of Pretty Little Liars.
 
Realm produces immersive audio series with top-tier talent and companies from across the entertainment industry including franchise partners such as DC and Marvel on shows such as WONDER WOMAN: HEARTLESS and BLACK PANTHER: SINS OF THE KING starring Emmy-nominated actor William Jackson Harper. In 2023, Realm will release an all-new, original podcast from New York Times best-seller Charlaine Harris whose novels inspired the HBO mega-hit, TRUE BLOOD.
Realm was co-founded by former Penguin Random House executive Molly Barton and former Obama Administration Dept of Justice lawyer Julian Yap. Realm shows are available as podcasts everywhere, and on the Realm app, awarded “Best of the Year” by Apple. Follow Realm for updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. For more information, please visit https://www.realm.fm/.’  

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Cast Photos