It really is quite incredible what the audio drama has evolved into in this modern age of entertainment. For it has gone from passion projects from a group of friends to outright juggernaut storytelling. The kind that now attract the best talent out there and truly features stories that blow us away with their creativity. Which makes sense because the sky is the limit in this format of storytelling, and what’s also amazing… is how this type of entertainment has started to give rise to incredible franchises that feature multiple seasons of storytelling, such as Impact Winter.
 
For this particular story is so well written, and so popular that it spawned a second season on Audible that audiences loved to no end and well… that meant… another season had to happen, one that we are but weeks away from. For recently, Audible, Skybound Entertainment, and Anonymous Content let it be known that July 18 will see the third season of this beloved franchise drop on Audible, and well… to properly celebrate this news, we happen to have all the details on season three, courtesy of Audible, Skybound Entertainment, and Anonymous Content. So that you can begin to count down the days to the latest chapter in the audio drama revolution.
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‘Audible Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, multiplatform content company Skybound Entertainment, and global media company Anonymous Content today announced the premiere date of Impact Winter Season 3, alongside new and returning cast for the groundbreaking vampire-apocalypse audio drama, debuting exclusively from Audible on July 18. The hit scripted audio series from the executive producers of The Walking Dead and Invincible (Skybound Entertainment) and writer Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim) returns for an action-packed third installment following the successful debuts of Season 1 and 2.
 
Impact Winter returns for Season 3 with newcomers Christina Chong (Star Trek: The Strange New Worlds, Black Mirror, Doctor Who), Ali Ariaie (The Great, Persuasion), Jordan Long (Unforgotten, Prime Suspect: Tennison) Gary Oliver (Game of Thrones, Atlantis), Imogen King (Clique, Suspect), Emma Fischer (Berlin Station, The Deal, Counterpart) Eve Ponsonby (Victor Frankenstein, The White Queen, Misfits), Arazou (Cinderella, Ready Player One) joining returning cast members Holliday Grainger (CB Strike, My Cousin Rachel), Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna, The Doll Factory), Caroline Ford (Carnival Row), Sacha Dhawan (Doctor Who, The Great), David Gyasi (The Diplomat, Interstellar), Andrew Gower (Being Human, Outlander), Ellie Bamber (Willow), and Michael Culkin (Garrow’s Law).
 
“Working with Audible, Skybound, and Anonymous Content, and this incredible cast for the third season continues to be about the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s a story I’ve been living with for some time now and could never have done justice without the support of such an impassioned team of collaborators,” said Beacham. “I think this season has some genuinely wild card turns that I can’t wait for people to hear.”
 
The forthcoming installment continues six months after the crushing conclusion of Season 2. Winter grows colder, a dire gloom tightens her grip on the land, and Hope Dunraven grapples with strange voices that insist she alone may hold the key to defeating it. But how can one mortal woman stand against such suffocating darkness — when that darkness is her own sister, Darcy? The tangled world of Impact Winter grows vast in Season 3, widening to reveal shadowy new adversaries, ancient mysteries, untold gods, unexpected monsters, and a battle that will forever change everyone it touches, and test both Dunraven sisters as never before.
 
Listeners can revisit Season 1 and 2 of Impact Winter on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts. Audible members can also listen to Impact Winter Season 2 and 3 in immersive spatial audio with Dolby Atmos from the Audible app at no additional cost. Visit audible.com/dolbyatmos for more information.
 
This upcoming Audible Original joins a powerful slate of original audio dramas including Audible’s first foray with Skybound Entertainment, the best-selling series Death By Unknown Event, narrated by Pamela Adlon; James Patterson’s The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama, a prequel to his #1 New York Times Bestseller The Black Book and performed by Aaron Paul; the #1 New York Times best-selling audio fiction The Sandman from Neil Gaiman, performed by James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Michael Sheen and a full cast; the highly anticipated sequels The Sandman: Act II; and The Sandman: Act III; The Dispatcher series from New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi; Carnival Row, set in the world of the Amazon Original series Carnival Row, created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria; and many more.
 
Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with Anonymous Content and Audible, have also announced a graphic novel based on Impact Winter that will collect Impact Winter #1, Impact Winter: Rook #1, and the upcoming Impact Winter: Evenfall #1 (out July 24, 2024 in comic book shops), that will be available everywhere books are sold October 29, 2024. Collected for the first time ever, these stories will entice new readers and longtime fans of the Audible Original to explore the world of Impact Winter with writer Travis Beacham and artists Stephen Green (Hellboy & the BPRD), Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and Sumeyye Kesgin (Voyagis).
 
ABOUT AUDIBLE, INC.
Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 900,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.
 
ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Skybound is the company for creators. We're known for using the Wheel of Awesome to make cool stuff, no matter the platform. We place creators and their projects at the center of the wheel and work with them to keep the integrity of their vision as it becomes a comic, game, TV series, film, audio series, or all of the above. 
 
Skybound builds global franchises. We’ve been the home of The Walking Dead and Invincible since 2010 and are leaders in creating universes that become pop culture phenomena from our library of over 150 properties, including the emerging tentpole Impact Winter. 
Skybound is a force in games. We publish, produce and distribute video games across every genre, including the blockbuster The Walking Dead series and the BAFTA award-winning Before Your Eyes.
 
Follow Skybound on X (@Skybound), YouTube (Skybound), Facebook (@SkyboundEntertainment) Threads (@skyboundent), Instagram (@skyboundent), Discord (Skybound), Reddit (Skybound), and at www.skybound.com.    
 
ABOUT ANONYMOUS CONTENT
Anonymous Content is a global media company that produces multi-platform premium content and boasts an exceptional client roster which includes many of the world’s most renowned and innovative directors, writers, and actors. The company’s award-winning Film & TV division encompasses many commercially successful and critically acclaimed works including three-time Academy Award winning film THE REVENANT, Best Picture Academy Award winning film SPOTLIGHT, Academy Award winning film for Best Original Screenplay, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, and three-time Primetime Emmy award-winning Mr. Robot. On the film side, they are behind the recently released features FOE, starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre, and THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER starring Daisy Ridley, and the highly anticipated upcoming adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE NICKEL BOYS. On the series side, they recently released season four of True Detective starring Jodie Foster, and are behind the upcoming Time Bandits from Taika Waititi, Disclaimer from Alfonso Cuarón starring Cate Blanchett, limited series East of Eden starring Florence Pugh with Zoe Kazan set to adapt, and Savant starring Jessica Chastain. The company also has a robust documentary division, boasting a burgeoning slate of premium features including Alex Gibney’s Elon Musk documentary MUSK, 5 SEASONS OF REVOLUTION, Raoul Peck’s ORWELL, and IN RESTLESS DREAMS: THE MUSIC OF PAUL SIMON. Through its Commercial work, Anonymous Content is also the driving creative force behind countless leading global brands. As part of Anonymous Content’s continued global expansion, the company has established multiple joint ventures with international partners including Anonymous Content España, Anonymous Federation, Anonymous Content Nordic, Anonymous Content Brazil, and AC Chapter One. For more information, visit www.anonymouscontent.com.’
 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Audible Original, ‘Yellow Face’.
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One particular aspect of modern storytelling that is quite fascinating, is how many poignant and relevant stories about our world, only dig deep into one important topic at a time. As though there is a concern that perhaps audiences cannot handle a bevy of examinations or that going into anything else might detract from the point the storyteller is trying to hammer home. Granted, none of this bad, because a detailed bit of commentary on politics, for instance, is impactful and thoughtful. But audiences can handle more, and they are eager sometimes to just feast over topics that are powerful and important and would have no qualms with a story that provides them with much to discuss and ponder upon.

Which is why we should always celebrate stories that do just that, since they are the bold ones that truly give the audience what they want and truly examine the complexities of the world, giving us plenty to think about and plenty to learn from and it just so happens that an Audible Original is out now that accomplishes just that. For Yellow Face, by David Henry Hwang, an adaptation of his stage play of the same name, truly is the perfect story for this point in time. For this particular story introduces us to an unreliable narrator and playwright also named David Henry Hwang, who finds himself working to defend himself for crossing several lines in the realm of representation. For he makes the mistake of hiring an actor that is white to play an Asian character in one of his plays, after he fought hard to ensure that such an act never took place in another play. Giving rise to quite the conundrum for David, one where he must decide to either come clean about his mistake… or double down and save himself the embarrassment.

Which is a plot that accomplishes so much from a social commentary standpoint. Because this is a hot topic right now, for there are hard questions being asked often in Hollywood and the entertainment world regarding whether or not a white actor should portray someone of a different race. And there are of course people that believe it should be of no concern since such acts have permeated the business long before it was so popular, but there are others who point out how it appropriates culture and keeps BIPOC individuals that can play those parts just fine out of work and out of sight. At a time when the American public is outright saying, they want to be seen on the stage and the screen and want their stories told. All of which brings forth some powerful and poignant commentary on the matter, and no easy answers because David correctly points out that we need more than discourse and decisions to properly solve this problem.

However, there was mention that this story features multiple themes and explorations and those can be found… in the moments in between David’s constant conundrum. For the downtime in the central plot allows for David to ponder deeply upon his own identity, and what he actually stands for, and it also digs deep into the nature of the American Dream and its place in the modern world, through a fascinating vignette revolving around his father, who loves the concept of it so. All of which makes for a very human story that harbors so many concepts and perspectives to ponder upon, including the importance of honesty and self-forgiveness for the many mistakes we will make in life. Which makes this a powerfully complex story, one that is more or less about life and yet… never once becomes overwhelming with its messaging… courtesy of a simple trick.

In that, it’s also a comedy. In fact, the sheer concept of one man trying to cover up a mistake such as this at this time in American history, is that perfect comedic twist… since it borders upon outlandish and realistic, and it also doesn’t hurt… that it is an amazingly well-acted audio drama. One that features Daniel Dae Kim, Jason Biggs, and Wendell Pierce and so many more talents, and well… all of these elements bring forth a perfect adaptation of a perfectly brilliant story. One that holds nothing back in the powerful questions it asks and the powerful challenges it poses to the audience, and it really is incredibly relevant and meaningful. All courtesy of a story that bold and downright brave.

One particular genre of podcasts that has outright exploded in the last few years, are true crime podcasts. Because they offer up a rare opportunity to explore cases that the world has never heard of before and ponder upon the psyches of the real-life monsters that lurk about our world. Not to mention, this surge in examinations has brought new evidence to life and some to justice, all because these podcasts really do offer detailed looks at cases that overburdened police departments sometimes cannot offer their full attention to, and well, the wonder of the true crime podcast is top of mind today, simply because a popular one is back on the airwaves.
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For earlier today a brand-new season of Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer dropped, complete with one fascinating story to offer. One where reporter Steve Fishman reveals some never before heard confession tapes, courtesy of his own unique relationship with a serial killer and well… that’s quite the story to immerse oneself in. Since that will indeed allow for incredible insight, regarding the most dangerous killer of all, and well, since you’re undoubtedly curious now about his tale, here are all the details on this new season of the show, and how you can listen to every episode today, courtesy of Sony Music.

‘Sony Music Entertainment and Orbit Media, today announced the premiere of Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer, the newest season of Sony Music’s hit investigative podcast series that explores shocking tales of crime and deception. In this season of Smoke Screen, journalist and host Steve Fishman unpacks the story of serial killer Robert F. Carr III and, with the help of the killer’s daughter, dissects his personal connection to Carr’s heinous crimes that spanned a decade.  Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes at once today. 
 
In My Friend, The Serial Killer, Fishman sets out to understand the man who he briefly met just months prior to his confession of multiple rapes and murders. The killer picked him up hitchhiking and for some reason, let him go. Throughout the series, listeners are exposed to the never before heard confession tapes, interviews with detectives and a road trip to the scenes of his crimes. All the while Fishman continues to question – how did this happen? Why was I spared? And how do I revisit this dark story from so many years ago? 
 
“My whole world was turned upside down at 19 years old working for a local Connecticut newspaper. The bells went off meaning a huge story had come in,” said host and reporter Steve Fishman. “In that moment, I learned that I was almost the victim of a serial killer and for years I have searched for answers about this man who I narrowly escaped from.” 
 
Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer is hosted by award-winning journalist, Steve Fishman. Dan Bobkoff is the producer. Annie Aviles is the editorial consultant. From Sony Music Entertainment, executive producers are Catherine Saint Louis and Jonathan Hirsch.  
 
Listeners can subscribe to Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer on The Binge, as well as all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For more information on Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer and all other Sony Podcast shows, follow @SonyPodcasts on X/Twitter and Instagram.
 
About Sony Music Global Podcasts
We are Sony Music Entertainment’s Global Podcast Division - where podcasters are artists. We put creators first and develop premium shows that loyal audiences keep coming back to. Based in New York, Los Angeles and London, we are a team of podcast obsessives covering creative, sales, marketing and business development teams focused only on one thing – our listeners and the shows we make for them.
 
About Orbit Media
Orbit is a storytellers' company which produces elevated true crime series. Our current series The Burden, was top ten on the Apple true crime charts, and Editor's Choice on Spotify. Orbit will soon re-release, the companion podcast, Empire on Blood, a #1 Apple podcast. Orbit is run by Steve Fishman and co-founded by Oscar-winner Fisher Stevens.’