Archive 81: James Wan Netflix series adds Martin Donovan, Julia Chan, & more

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Last month, we learned that Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi will be starring in the James Wan-produced Netflix series Archive 81, which is inspired by the supernatural horror podcast of the same name. Now it has been announced that five more cast members have signed on. Martin Donovan, Julia Chan, Matt McGorry, Evan Jonigkeit, and Ariana Neal are all taking on series regular roles.

Written and executive produced by showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine, Archive 81 has the following synopsis: 

When archivist Dan Turner (Athie) takes a mysterious job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994, he finds himself reconstructing the work of documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Shihabi) and her investigation into a dangerous cult. As Dan is drawn into Melody’s story, he becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.

Donovan's character is Virgil, "a secretive billionaire who recruits Dan for a mysterious restoration project. He presents himself as forthright, friendly and plain-spoken — but he’s clearly hiding a darker agenda". 

Chan takes the role of Anabelle, "a struggling artist and party girl who burns hot and bright. Loud, outrageous, and adventurous, she’s Melody’s best friend and fiercest protector — even if that sometimes runs counter to what Melody wants".

McGorry will be playing Mark: "An eccentric trust-fund kid obsessed with his Mystery Signals podcast, Mark is Dan’s best friend. Outgoing, larger than life, self-absorbed yet kind, he encourages Dan to take the job that will give him an exclusive story for his podcast. But when their investigation gets them in over their heads, Mark steps up and shows his true loyalty."

Jonigkeit portrays Samuel, "a charming, enigmatic professor who cultivates a friendship with Melody — but his strange influence over the other residents in the building soon leads her to question his motives".

And Neal's character is Jess, "a smart, independent, entrepreneurial ninth grader who strikes up a friendship with Melody. Stricken with a mysterious ailment, she asks Melody for help — a request that ultimately puts them both in danger".

Stranger Things' Rebecca Thomas is set to direct half of the show's eight episodes and serves as executive producer alongside Wan, Sonnenshine, Michael Clear, and writer Paul Harris Boardman. Rob Hackett is a co-executive producer, and the podcast's creators Marc Sollinger and Daniel Powell are co-producing.
 

Since Matt McGorry is playing me (well, the character I wrote/performed/has my name) in the Archive 81 adaptation, by the transitive property, I am now officially a woke bae. https://t.co/6xw0TVv2sQ

— Marc “listen to Archive 81” Sollinger (@HarmonyInHead) November 17, 2020