Singer Jason Derulo is set to star in an upcoming neo-noir romantic podcast thriller created by Warner Music Group podcast division Interval Presents, the company has announced, alongside actress Alexandra Shipp.
The eight-part series, titled Underwater, centres around a love story between characters Nico and Ana, played by Derulo and Shipp, which is threatened by lies and deception. The immersive story is told in the form of a narrative album with brand new original music from Derulo that’s integrated in the story and score.
“As an artist, I’ve always believed that music and storytelling go hand in hand, shaping emotions and connecting people in unique ways,” said Derulo. “Podcasting provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the storytelling experience, and Underwater intertwines new music with all of the drama, thrills and romance of the story itself.”
“Interval Presents is the perfect partner because of their deep roots in music and expertise as an established podcast powerhouse. They share in my vision of merging artistry and narrative to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for listeners.”
Shipp is also a singer and actress, known for portraying roles such as singer Aaliyah in the biopic The Princess of R&B and Kimberly Woodruff in Straight Outta Compton.
Other cast members that will feature in the podcast include Genshin Impact voice actor Beau Bridgland, Diary of a Future President’s Michael Dearie, writer Aneesha DuBois, and more.
The podcast is produced for Interval Presents by award-winning podcast production company Clamor and television and film company Temple Hill Productions. The first two episodes will be released on 31 October on all major podcast platforms and continue to release weekly every Tuesday thereafter.
“Delving into the world of audio storytelling has been an exciting new chapter for me,” said Shipp. “I'm grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the immensely talented Jason Derulo as well as the teams at Clamor, Temple Hill and Interval Presents, to bring this project to life.”
“I can’t wait for listeners to immerse themselves in the world of Underwater and experience the power of this thrilling romantic series."
Warner music Group launched Interval Presents in April 2022 as part of its commitment to create multi-form audio content which is at the intersection of music, pop culture, and social impact. Other celebrities besides Derulo that are part of Interval Present’s first original podcast slate include Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o who is set to host a non-fiction podcast show exploring the African diaspora.
“Interval Presents is committed to pushing the boundaries of audio storytelling and this stellar cast exemplifies an unmatched combination of music and acting talent that is sure to engage and entertain our listeners,” said Allan Coye, WMG senior vice president of digital strategy and business development and general manager of Interval Presents. “Underwater is a project that seamlessly weaves music and narrative, and perfectly aligns with our goals of elevating WMG artists, while staying true to the core values of Interval Presents."
