SOLAR

CurtCo Media

SOLAR, starring Stephanie Beatriz, Tony Award winner Alan Cumming, Academy Award winner Helen Hunt and Jonathan Bangs, is a journey to the heart of the solar system and an exploration of the vastness of the human spirit. Disconnected from Earth and trapped on separate parts of their spacecraft, crew members must fight for survival following a disaster on board the ill-fated Aethon, a manned solar research probe sent to explore temporal distortion around the sun. As painful memories, forgotten dreams, technological challenges and blunt realities collide--they must work together to keep their hope alive in the face of growing darkness. SHADOWS ARE DARKER THIS CLOSE TO THE SUN. SOLAR is a CurtCo Media production. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com

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Our Editor's Take

SOLAR takes science fiction podcasts to the stratosphere and beyond. Way beyond. That's why it shot to the top of the fiction category on Amazon Music, where SOLAR was named “Best Podcast of 2022 So Far”.

The show's creator is Los Angeles writer/composer Chris Porter. He introduces SOLAR as “a fully staged sonic experience of cinematic proportions.” The cinematic part comes from the script's heart-pumping action and thought-provoking drama. But that enhanced sonic experience exists because of the top-notch sound design crew. Spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony's 360 Reality Audio do incredible things for music. But for a science fiction thrill ride like SOLAR, Atmos is revelatory. Its 3D surround sound effect thrusts the listener right into the action. A boom erupts to the upper left. Someone pounds against a wall to the lower right. The spaceship's damaged AI computer interface tries to speak, and it's right there with the audience.

Four main characters head up the cast of Solar. Academy Award-winner Helen Hunt (Twister, Cast Away) stars as chief scientist Margaret Cohen. Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming (Eyes Wide Shut, Goldeneye) plays Commander Alex Tawley.

Stephanie Beatriz (Encanto, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) stars as Dr. Wren Guerrero, and Jonathan Bangs plays pilot Jamal Davis.

SOLAR's season one finale debuted in June 2022. Listeners can take in all twelve episodes and plentiful extra content. “Recovered audio assets” appear as bonus content after each episode, adding to the intrigue. Behind-the-scenes conversations with cast members are also available.

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Play Trailer
Introducing: SOLAR
Mar 2 2022
Introducing: SOLAR
SOLAR, starring Stephanie Beatriz, Tony Award winner Alan Cumming, Academy Award winner Helen Hunt and Jonathan Bangs, is a journey to the heart of the solar system and an exploration of the vastness of the human spirit. Disconnected from Earth and trapped on separate parts of their spacecraft, crew members must fight for survival following a disaster on board the ill-fated Aethon, a manned solar research probe sent to explore temporal distortion around the sun. As painful memories, forgotten dreams, technological challenges and blunt realities collide--they must work together to keep their hope alive in the face of growing darkness. SHADOWS ARE DARKER THIS CLOSE TO THE SUN. SOLAR is a CurtCo Media production. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

Introducing: SOLAR
Mar 2 2022
Introducing: SOLAR
SOLAR, starring Stephanie Beatriz, Tony Award winner Alan Cumming, Academy Award winner Helen Hunt and Jonathan Bangs, is a journey to the heart of the solar system and an exploration of the vastness of the human spirit. Disconnected from Earth and trapped on separate parts of their spacecraft, crew members must fight for survival following a disaster on board the ill-fated Aethon, a manned solar research probe sent to explore temporal distortion around the sun. As painful memories, forgotten dreams, technological challenges and blunt realities collide--they must work together to keep their hope alive in the face of growing darkness. SHADOWS ARE DARKER THIS CLOSE TO THE SUN. SOLAR is a CurtCo Media production. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Pilot | Episode 1
Mar 29 2022
The Pilot | Episode 1
Wren and Jamal come to terms with their dire situation. Previously recorded audio sheds light on the original nature of the mission.  From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com ---------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ Drumeller This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and ZipRecruiter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 01 - UKBN Televised Broadcast Interception APR 04 2045
Mar 29 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 01 - UKBN Televised Broadcast Interception APR 04 2045
A televised news report from the UK. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Aethon Language Interface | Episode 2
Mar 29 2022
The Aethon Language Interface | Episode 2
Jamal and Wren send the on-board rover on a mission to confirm Jamal’s claims. Messages from the past suggest problems with the mission. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com ------------ Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ Drumeller This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and ZipRecruiter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 02 - CimmTech In-Line Tap, undated (CT)
Mar 31 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 02 - CimmTech In-Line Tap, undated (CT)
A recorded telephone transmission received at CimmTech Headquarters.  From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Specialist Guerrero | Episode 3
Apr 5 2022
Specialist Guerrero | Episode 3
Wren questions her sanity. Jamal looks to the past to find purpose in the present.   From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com ---------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ Drumeller This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and ZipRecruiter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 03 - Shortwave Interception MAR 31 2045 (HKS)
Apr 7 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 03 - Shortwave Interception MAR 31 2045 (HKS)
A ham radio broadcast interception. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Phoenix | Episode 4
Apr 12 2022
Phoenix | Episode 4
Between two sequential Mercury fly-bys, Wren and Jamal re-evaluate their friendship. CimmTech launches the first of four satellites. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com -------------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ Drumeller This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and ZipRecruiter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 04 - Yancy In-Line Tap APR 06 2045.01 (CT)
Apr 14 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 04 - Yancy In-Line Tap APR 06 2045.01 (CT)
A recorded telephone transmission between Flight Direct Aarav Patel and US Headline Reporter Christian Yancy.  From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Anniversary Party | Episode 5
Apr 19 2022
The Anniversary Party | Episode 5
The Aethon crew celebrate the first year of their mission since launching.  From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com ------------ Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ Drumeller ‘You Are My Sunshine’ was arranged and performed by Kait DuntonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 05 - Bryant In-Line Tap APR 07 2045 - (CT)
Apr 21 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 05 - Bryant In-Line Tap APR 07 2045 - (CT)
A recorded telephone transmission between NASC Public Relations Director Felicia Bryant and Head of NASC Fred Chiu. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Space | Episode 6
Apr 26 2022
Space | Episode 6
Secrets are revealed when ALI mysteriously highlights an old conversation. The crew braces for the CimmTech Payload 2 drop.  From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com ----------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ DrumellerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 06 - Yancy In-Line Tap APR 06 2045.02 (CT)
Apr 28 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 06 - Yancy In-Line Tap APR 06 2045.02 (CT)
A recorded telephone transmission between US Headline Reporter Christian Yancy and ‘Murray.’ From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Anomaly | Episode 7
May 3 2022
The Anomaly | Episode 7
Jamal and Wren must recover in the aftermath. CimmTech launches Payload 3. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com ---------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ DrumellerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 07 - Shortwave Interception APR 07 2045 (HKS)
May 5 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 07 - Shortwave Interception APR 07 2045 (HKS)
A ham radio broadcast interception. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ghosts | Episode 8
May 10 2022
Ghosts | Episode 8
Margaret speaks with Taaj. Wren grapples with a new realization. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com ---------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ DrumellerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 08 - GSM Bryant - NASC HQ - APR 08 2045 (CT)
May 12 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 08 - GSM Bryant - NASC HQ - APR 08 2045 (CT)
A recorded conversation between Flight Direct Aarav Patel and NASC Public Relations Director, Felicia Bryant. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Time | Episode 9
May 17 2022
Time | Episode 9
A betrayal. A discovery.  From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com -------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ DrumellerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recovered Audio Asset 09 - Yancy Cassette APR 08 2045 (HKS)
May 19 2022
Recovered Audio Asset 09 - Yancy Cassette APR 08 2045 (HKS)
A recorded conversation between US Headline Reporter Christian Yancy and ‘Murray.’ From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Icarus | Episode 10
May 24 2022
Icarus | Episode 10
The solar flare. From CurtCo Media. To learn more, visit solarthepodcast.com --------- Starring Stephanie Beatriz, Alan Cumming, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Bangs, Jenny Curtis, Colin Ford, Danielle Pinnock, and Anne Yatco.  With Nikhil Pai, Julia Henning, Dana Gourrier, Micky Shiloah, Jake Millgard, Joe Reitman, Tom Choi, Emily Goss, Joy Brunson, Jenny Curtis, John McCormick and Mari Weiss.  Created by Chris Porter Directed by Jenny Curtis and Chris Porter Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by CJ Drumeller  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.