Welcome To Montecito: A New Era Of Soap Opera Begins April 22nd

LOS ANGELES - April 18, 2025 - PRLog -- WELCOME TO MONTECITO: A NEW ERA OF SOAP OPERA BEGINS APRIL 22nd

LOS ANGELES, CA — Montecito, a gripping, all-new audio soap opera, premieres April 22nd, bringing explosive drama, betrayals, and unforgettable characters to your ears every week.

Set in a sun-drenched enclave of the ultra-wealthy, Montecito is a dark paradise where shattered romances, family secrets, and scandalous affairs hide behind manicured hedges and towering palms. Each 20-minute episode offers an immersive experience for today's soap opera, podcast, and audiobook audiences.

This 10-episode audio drama marks a reinvention of the American soap opera—reviving the genre in its original radio form with a modern, high-quality twist.

"We are entering a new era of the American soap opera," says series creator and Emmy-nominated producer Grant Rutter. "Soaps began 95 years ago on radio. With CBS's Beyond The Gates being the first new daytime drama in 25 years, the genre is finding new life. Montecito brings it full circle—as a premium audio serial. We've cast daytime TV favorites and fresh voices. What's old is new again."

With the arrival of CBS's Beyond The Gates, soap fans are buzzing about the return of daytime drama, while new audiences are discovering the medium for the first time. WBEZChicago launched a soap-focused podcast, Making: Stories Without End.

The trailer and teaser are available now—watch it [here (https://youtu.be/7oCgYRxcqhE?si=5g6V3D8E_RxVYbz4)]. Montecito features an all-star cast of soap veterans and rising talent. Daytime Emmy winner Rick Hearst (General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful) lends his voice as announcer. Daytime Emmy winner  Crystal Chappell (Venice: The Series, Days of Our Lives, Guiding Light) stars as Helena Granville-Belasco. Daytime Emmy winner Vincent Irizarry (All My Children, The Young and the Restless) plays Bradley Belasco, and Daytime Emmy winner Mike Manning (Beyond the Gates) portrays JJ Roman.

Peter Porte (Days of Our Lives) takes on the role of Deacon Granville, a gay man trapped in a toxic marriage. Chelsea Rendon (Vida) simmers as Mina Rast-Granville. Emme Rylan (General Hospital) plays Bethany Gina Roman-Quinn. Marc Anthony Samuel (General Hospital) is Gio Carreri. Rounding out the cast: Kelly Thiebaud (General Hospital) as Dr. Layla Carreri and Jake Getman (American Dad!) as Diego Granville.

Montecito is created and executive produced by Grant Rutter, with Andrew Pemberton-Fowler as Executive Story Editor and Trae Budde as Supervising Sound Editor. The series is independently produced. The first two episodes debut Tuesday, April 22, 2025, followed by weekly Tuesday releases.