Matthew Broyles to Launch Dark Forest Podcast Series
The 11-episode science fiction podcast will debut on major streaming platforms on October 28, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Writer Matthew Broyles is set to release his new audio drama Dark Forest, which follows a junior investigator at the Center for UFO Studies. The series will officially arrive on streaming platforms on October 28, 2026.
Why it matters
The upcoming series seeks to engage audiences through a narrative structure built entirely from found audio of collected cassette tapes. It explores a fictional investigation set during the mid-1970s.
The production consists of 11 distinct episodes featuring a cast of 20 voice actors. The series incorporates a musical score composed by Paul Shapera.
The players
Matthew Broyles
He is the writer and creator of the upcoming Dark Forest podcast.
Paul Shapera
He is the composer responsible for the musical score of the new series.
The Naïve Theater of the Air
This is the production house responsible for bringing the Dark Forest project to life.
The details
The story centers on a junior investigator at the Center for UFO Studies in 1974 who discovers mail intended for someone else. Produced by The Naïve Theater of the Air, the narrative is delivered through the format of recovered cassette tapes.
Timeline
The story is set in 1974.
The podcast launches on October 28, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project mirrors the legacy of the 1898 War of the Worlds radio play by leveraging the immersive potential of audio drama to tell science fiction stories. It represents a modern shift toward high-production, limited-run scripted podcasts that function as serialized radio theater.
Listeners will be able to access all 11 episodes across major streaming platforms starting October 28, 2026. The series is designed for audiences interested in 1970s-era mysteries and found-footage audio storytelling.
The takeaway
The series utilizes found audio to create a sense of historical realism for listeners. Potential fans can prepare for the October release by revisiting classic 1970s investigative fiction tropes.
Further reading
Explore the broader genre of audio-based speculative fiction in the Science Fiction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Weekly.
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