The supernatural audio series The Lesser Dead debuted exclusively on Wondery+ on March 27. Wondery+ is a subscription service where fans get early, ad-free access to premium audio content. But sometimes they make their content available on all podcast platforms. That’s what happened with The Lesser Dead. The eight-episode, 30-minute “immersive audio drama” premiered everywhere you can listen to podcasts on June 1.
But the series itself comes from Echoverse, a podcast studio focusing on science fiction, supernatural and fantasy audio experiences. Award-winning author Christopher Buehlman (The Blacktongue Thief, Those Across The River, Between Two Fires) adapted his darkly-comedic novel of the same title to audio.
The series is set in 1978 New York City and follows a colony of vampires led by the formidable Margaret McMannis (Minnie Driver). One of her clan members, Joey Peacock (Jack Kilmer), an irreverent, eternally-young 19-year-old who quite literally never grew up, narrates the story. Whihc finds the clan confronting a dangerous new adversary who has entered their world. Will Margaret and Joey’s unconventional family of vampires come together before it’s too late?
Let’s take a closer look. There’s even a trailer embedded below for your listening pleasure.
The Lesser Dead Synopsis
Here’s the show description that accompanies the trailer:
The Lesser Dead is an immersive audio drama about a disparate group of vampires living in the wild-and-wooly world of 1978 New York City. Our narrator Joey Peacock (Jack Kilmer) —an irreverent, eternally-young 19-year-old— introduces us to his unconventional family and its formidable leader, Margaret McMannis (Minnie Driver), who has built a home for all of them under the subways of the city. Margaret’s strict rules have kept them safe and secure for decades… Until one night when Joey’s discovery of three little kid vampires turns their world upside-down forever.
The Lesser Dead Cast
The series stars Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting and The Riches), Jack Kilmer (The Nice Guys, Palo Alto), Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), and Saul Rubinek (Hunters, Warehouse 13).
The Lesser Dead Trailer
For More Info
Visit https://www.echoverse.com or look for The Lesser Dead wherever you get your podcasts.
Check-In
What was the last vampire podcast, movie or book that you listened to, watched, or read?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
My most recent vampire read was Never Change by Shari Sakurai. It’s a May-December love story between two gay vampires. The setting and the characters’ vampire natures are well written.
How fabulous is that?! AND perfect mention for Pride Month! LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing, Vera!
The Vampire Connoisseur anthology…
Ooo! I’ve never heard of that. Is it good? Would you recommend it?
It’s the one with Priscilla Bettis’s short story in it…I “think” I got it with my Amazon gift card a while ago…ha!
OHHH!!! Well that’s a must-get then!!! And egg on my face because clearly I wasn’t paying attention when she announced that!