Looking Forward to Audio Dramas in 2023

2022 had some really great content released during its run. A lot of it has been covered on the podcast and the blog (and soon, the next Seneca Awards). However, as this year draws to a close, it's time to look at what we're going to hear in the new year.

Lamplighter Theatre's Shipwrecked: But Not Lost will be Lamplighter's first audio drama of 2023. It's an adaptation of the book of the same title and was written and directed by John Fornof. It also marks the first audio drama from Lamplighter that features two Audio Drama Alliance members, Dominic Treis and Betsy Nicholson. Plus, the ongoing bookend storyline with Finnian Jones will continue. It's available for preorder now.

Over 2 years after its recording, Leaving a Legacy Ministries' adaptation of the World War II epic The Reverend Spy will finally be released. This true story was brought to life by many actors including John Mark Forsee and Elisabeth Hemmeter. Christopher Green (Shadows and Daylight, Greenhorn Tales) worked on the post-production, along with Bobby Pickett, and award-winning composer, John Campbell, will be providing the musical score. 

Eric Baesel, voice of Ned
Photo Credit: Insight for Living

After an over 15-year hiatus, Insight for Living is continuing its Paws and Tales audio drama series. At least 4 episodes will be heard next year with many more planned. You can hear more about it on the Audio Theatre Central podcast.

After Will Ryan's passing in 2021, fans of Adventures in Odyssey will finally hear the fate of Eugene Meltsner in Album 75 (title TBA). Album 74: Buckle Up! will be released to all and AIO Club members will hear the first episode of Album 76. A new 12-episode Club season (Season 10 to be precise) will start with an episode titled "Reporting Live from Mount Sinai".

AIR Theatre hasn't released any new productions since the award-winning The Legends of Robin Hood. That will change next year as Warrior Maiden: The Story of Joan of Arc releases. Paul McCusker has returned as writer/director and Jared DePasquale as the music composer. Todd Busteed is doing the post-production. Some of the actors you will hear in this audio drama are Philip Glassborow (Philip Sherlock), Chris Larkin, David Colder, and  Oliver Dimsdell.

LRT Media is going to be releasing several productions in the new year. These include the conclusion of the 3-part episode "The Great Church Robbery" from Chapel & Squeak, a new American history show that will debut with the story of Molly Pitcher, and an original Sherlock Holmes show.

Eternal Future Productions released the first episode in Season 3 of Pirateers this year. Look for the rest of the episodes to come out in 2023.

Season 1 of Shadows and Daylight wrapped up this year but Season 2 is coming soon. Season 2 will start being released in 2023. Show creator, Christopher Green, gave a teaser of what's to come.

"It’s slated as 6 episodes, with core familiar voices and characters back, while lots of new ones, and ones the space will be familiar with, such as JD Sutter, Jonathan Cooke, Bethany Baldwin, Frank Ulle, and more. The episodes will be more episodic this season, rather than a big arc, but there will be lots of mystery."

Of course there are many other shows and stand-alone productions that will be released next year and some we don't even know about yet. As always make sure to subscribe to Audio Theatre Central and the blog to make sure you don't miss out on news of new audio dramas. And while you're at it, let us know in the comments which audio drama you're looking forward to the most.

Austin Peachey is a die-hard reader and audio drama fan. He's run the Adventures in Odyssey Blog for over 12 years and has produced a few audio dramas of his own, including FaithFilled Stories. He's also helped work on the 2nd edition of The Official Guide to Odyssey and is a member of the Audio Drama Alliance.