MGM+ is gearing up for a new era of chills. As its hit series From prepares to wrap with a fifth and final season, the streaming service has found its next big horror draw: an adaptation of the groundbreaking podcast The Black Tapes. The project has officially been greenlit as an eight-episode supernatural mystery, with production slated to begin in Vancouver this January.
The series will star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, best known for his Emmy-nominated turn as Jaime Lannister on Game of Thrones. He's set to play Dr. Richard Strand, a brilliant but enigmatic psychiatrist who specializes in debunking paranormal claims. Coster-Waldau recently appeared in the second season of Apple TV+'s The Last Thing He Told Me, and this new role marks his return to the genre-blending territory that made him a fan favorite.
Based on the podcast created by Terry Miles and Paul Bae, The Black Tapes originally launched in 2015 and ran for three seasons, amassing over 60 million downloads. It's widely considered one of the most influential horror podcasts of its time, helping to pave the way for the audio drama boom. Miles and Bae are both attached as writers and executive producers, ensuring the series stays true to its source material while expanding its mythology.
The story centers on Dr. Strand and Alex Regan, a determined scientist who becomes obsessed with the titular black tapes—a collection of recordings documenting hauntings, possessions, disappearances, and sinister legends. Together, they set out to debunk these phenomena, but soon uncover a hidden occult world and an apocalyptic conspiracy that threatens everything they know. It's a premise that echoes the classic X-Files dynamic, blending procedural investigation with escalating dread.
MGM+ has been building a reputation for star-driven genre fare, with shows like From and the Stephen King adaptation The Institute drawing in audiences. Michael Wright, Global Head of MGM+, praised the project for its cinematic storytelling and cultural resonance. "The Black Tapes crafts a compelling story around our cultural fascination with the unexplained," he said, adding that Coster-Waldau's presence and the creative team's vision promise something both provocative and entertaining.
Executive producer John Rogers, known for his work on Leverage, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "I was an early and passionate fan of the podcast," he said. "It's a unique blend of truly unsettling horror and puzzle-box conspiracy mystery. With Paul and Terry in the writer's room, we have a chance to bring this to a new generation while deepening the mythos for longtime fans."
For fans of Coster-Waldau's work, this is a welcome return to the small screen. He's also been part of the Game of Thrones universe, and those looking for more from that world might enjoy these must-read books for Game of Thrones fans. Meanwhile, MGM+ continues to expand its horror slate, and The Black Tapes is shaping up to be a standout addition.
As production gears up, fans can also look forward to other genre offerings on the platform. The success of From has proven that audiences crave smart, serialized scares, and The Black Tapes seems poised to fill that void. With a compelling lead, a proven source material, and a creative team that clearly respects the original, this adaptation has all the makings of a must-watch.
Stay tuned for more updates as The Black Tapes moves into production. In the meantime, if you're hungry for more supernatural podcast-inspired content, you might want to check out Ethan Hawke's Midnight Radio, which brings a similar vibe to the audio world.
