Tag: Caso 63

El podcast de ficción de Spotify, ‘Caso 63,’ llega a un épico final

Desde su debut, el podcast original de Spotify Caso 63 ha sido mucho más que una historia: se ha convertido en un fenómeno cultural. Este thriller de ciencia ficción cautivó a millones de oyentes en América Latina, España y Estados Unidos, marcando un nuevo estándar para lo que la narrativa en audio puede lograr, y destacando la profundidad creativa de los escritores, actores y directores latinoamericanos. Ahora, el viaje llega a su emocionante final con la quinta y última temporada, cuyos 14 episodios para maratonear se estrenan hoy.

Creado por Julio Rojas y llevado a la vida por las potentes interpretaciones de Antonia Zegers (Dra. Elisa Aldunate) y Néstor Cantillana (Paciente 63), la serie estableció un nuevo punto de referencia para los podcasts de ficción en el mundo hispanohablante. Además, fue el primer Spotify Original latinoamericano en ser adaptado a múltiples idiomas —entre ellos inglés, portugués e hindi—, convirtiéndose en un referente global para la narración inmersiva en audio.

La entrega final nos sitúa en el año 2062, en un mundo postapocalíptico que aún lidia con las secuelas de Pegaso, un misterioso evento que fracturó la línea temporal. Un grupo dedicado de científicos y colaboradores anónimos trabaja incansablemente para localizar una sola línea de tiempo anómala —Caso 63— que podría contener la clave para salvar a la humanidad. Pero hay un detalle: la única manera de avanzar es retroceder y alterar el evento original que provocó el colapso de la civilización hace 40 años.

La quinta temporada ofrece un final ambicioso y definitorio del género, que honra el legado de la serie. Es una conclusión que promete un viaje ininterrumpido, misterioso y emocionalmente resonante, brindando un cierre épico a una historia que ha mantenido en vilo a oyentes de todo el mundo.

El equipo de For the Record tuvo la oportunidad de conversar con su creador, Julio Rojas, sobre el final de temporada y sus reflexiones acerca del proyecto.

Mientras los fans se preparan para despedirse de la serie, ¿Qué pueden esperar de esta última temporada?

Sobre todo, cerrar un ciclo que comenzó hace cuatro años. Es una temporada de homenaje a los fanáticos, donde podemos esperar el inicio del desenlace, las respuestas finales y ese cierre que, al mismo tiempo, abre nuevas posibilidades, porque se trata de un loop temporal. Los espero en esta última temporada de Caso 63.

Con la creación de esta historia ¿Cómo ha cambiado tu propia visión del tiempo y las oportunidades?

Para mí, el tiempo dejó de ser un evento invisible, una variable que solo existe en los relojes, y pasó a formar parte de la arquitectura de la realidad. El tiempo es parte de nosotros como humanidad, y debemos entender que no podemos jugar con esa variable. Lo que hacemos importa.

¿Qué mensaje o emoción esperas que se lleven las personas cuando terminen el último episodio?

Primero, nostalgia por una audioficción que nos acompañó en uno de los momentos más difíciles de la historia humana: la pandemia. Luego, una reconexión con los personajes principales y, sobre todo, la posibilidad de comprender que cada acción que realizamos tiene consecuencias. Lo que hacemos hoy genera efectos en el futuro que pueden ser relevantes, aunque en este momento no los percibamos así.

Para alguien que aún no lo ha hecho, ¿Por qué deberían escuchar Caso 63?

Básicamente porque es una historia que nos involucra a todos. Vivimos un momento en el que la gran pregunta es qué nos depara el futuro y cuáles serán las consecuencias de las acciones que estamos tomando hoy. Esta es una audioficción que habla precisamente de eso, de lo que se aproxima, o de lo que no se aproxima…

Los escritores suelen estar marcados por los mundos que crean. ¿De qué manera te ha transformado Caso 63, no solo como escritor, sino también como persona?

Ha sido una historia que me ha acompañado durante los últimos cuatro años. He sentido una conexión profunda con los personajes, pero también a nivel personal, porque me ha permitido contemplar el tiempo no como un evento aislado en nuestras vidas, sino como una cadena de causalidades. Hoy soy muy consciente de que los acontecimientos y las palabras que decimos tienen relevancia en el futuro. Caso 63 me ha permitido, en muchos sentidos, contemplar el futuro.

¿Listo para descubrir cómo termina todo? Dale play a la temporada final de Caso 63.

Spotify’s Fiction Podcast ‘Caso 63’ Reaches an Epic Conclusion

Since its debut, the Spotify Original podcast Caso 63 has been more than just a story; it’s been a cultural sensation. The science fiction thriller captivated millions of listeners across Latin America, Spain, and the US, setting a new standard for what audio storytelling could accomplish and bringing attention to the creative depth of Latin American writers, actors, and directors. Now, the journey reaches its exciting conclusion with the fifth and final season, and all 14 bingeable episodes are dropping today.

Created by Julio Rojas and brought to life by the commanding performances of Antonia Zegers (Dr. Elisa Aldunate) and Néstor Cantillana (Patient 63), the series set a new bar for fiction podcasting in the Spanish-speaking world. It was also the first Latin American Spotify Original to be adapted into multiple languages, including English, Portuguese, and Hindi, becoming a global guide for immersive audio storytelling.

The final installment picks up in the year 2062 in a post-apocalyptic world that’s reeling from the aftermath of “Pegaso,” a mysterious event that fractured the timeline. A dedicated group of scientists and anonymous collaborators work tirelessly to locate a single, anomalous timeline—Caso 63—that may hold the key to saving humanity. But here’s the catch: The only way forward is to go backward and disrupt the original event that triggered civilization’s collapse 40 years prior.

The fifth season delivers an ambitious finale that honors the legacy of the series. It’s a conclusion that promises a nonstop mysterious and emotionally resonant journey, bringing a satisfying close to a story that’s riveted listeners around the world.

The team at For the Record had the chance to discuss the season finale of Caso 63 with its creator, Julio Rojas, about his thoughts on the project and the last season. 

As fans prepare to say goodbye, what can they expect from this final season?

Above all, it’s about closing a cycle that began four years ago. It’s a season that pays tribute to the fans, and we can expect the beginning of the unraveling, the final answers, and the closing of everything—which at the same time is also the opening of everything, because it’s a time loop. 

What message or emotion do you hope people take away after finishing the last episode?

First, nostalgia—for an audio fiction that accompanied us during such a difficult moment in human history, the pandemic. Then, reconnection with the main characters, and above all, the realization that every action we take has consequences. Events in the future may be significant, even if we don’t perceive them that way now.

Writers are often shaped by the worlds they create. How has Caso 63 affected you personally?

It has accompanied me over the past four years. I’ve felt a deep connection with the characters, but also on a personal level, because it has allowed me to see time not as an isolated event in our lives, but as a chain of causalities. I’ve become very aware that the events and words spoken now are relevant in the future—it has allowed me to contemplate the future.

Why should those who haven’t experienced Caso 63 listen to it?

Basically because it’s a story that concerns us all. We’re living in a time when the big question is: What does the future hold for us, and what are the consequences of the actions we’re taking today? This is an audio fiction that speaks precisely about that—about what’s coming, or perhaps what’s not.

With the creation of this story, how has your own perception of time and opportunity changed?

For me, time stopped being an invisible event—a variable only measured by clocks—and became part of the architecture of reality. Time is part of us as humanity, and we must understand that we can’t toy with that variable. What we do matters.

Ready to find out how it all ends? Start streaming the final season of Caso 63.

Las mentes creativas de “Caso 63” regresan con un nuevo misterio de ciencia ficción: “Caso 63: Enigma

a futuristic rainbow cube

En 2020, lanzamos Caso 63, una audio serie con guión chileno que encabezó las listas de éxitos. El podcast original de Spotify fue tan popular que más tarde adaptamos la historia al Portugués, Hindi, e Inglés

Ahora Julio Rojas, el creador detrás del exitoso original, está de vuelta con una nueva historia ambientada en el mismo universo: Caso 63: Enigma. Y aunque los fans se encontrarán con un nuevo elenco de personajes, recordarán algo que se insinuó en la primera temporada de Caso 63: el 6 de agosto de 2042, Johana Flores, astronauta de una colonia marciana, hace un descubrimiento trascendental en un antiguo vestigio de una civilización madre conocida como “La Estructura”. Allí, Johana descubre un libro que contiene la clave para viajar en el tiempo. Pero, como sugiere el eslogan de la serie, “una cosa es encontrar un enigma y otra resolverlo”.

Caso 63: Enigma profundiza en esta historia, presentando a los oyentes a Isabel, una mujer mexicana encargada de resolver el misterio del libro, (también conocido como “El Enigma”). A lo largo del podcast, los oyentes experimentarán los pensamientos de Isabel, conversaciones con amigos, investigaciones y sueños recurrentes.

El talentoso elenco de actores y actrices del podcast está encabezado por la actriz mexicana Ana Valeria Becerril como Isabel y Diego Klein como Javier. La serie también cuenta con los actores chilenos Gabriel Urzúa como Gaspar, Alvaro Rudolphy como Miguel, Ignacia Baeza como Rebeca y Marcial Tagle como Alfredo.

“La historia está maravillosamente escrita, no deja cabo suelto, creo que es un universo súper basto, pero para mi lo más interesante es el formato de podcast”, comentó Ana Valeria Becerril. “Te pones tus audífonos, te sientas en un sillón, cierras los ojos y dejas que tu imaginación corra libre”.

Para los fans que devoran los episodios en poco tiempo y quieren escuchar aún más contenidos de Caso 63, pueden consultar Caso 63 – El Universo de Canciones, una lista de reproducción musical colaborativa creada por Julio Rojas, el compositor del podcast Mowat, y Ana Valeria Becerril. Esta colección de temas oscuros, melancólicos y futuristas de iconos de la música como Björk, Portishead, Radiohead, y Nick Cave  sirvió de inspiración para la serie, y es el complemento perfecto para sumergirse aún más en su misterio.

Empieza escuchando la nueva serie, disponible ya en Spotify. 

 

Binge Season 2 of the Chart-Topping Spotify Original Podcast, ‘Case 63’ Beginning September 26

If you can’t stay away from a good mind-bending time travel paradox, look no further than Case 63, the Spotify Original audio series that’s taken the world by storm. After topping the podcast charts in Chile, Brazil, and India—and landing within the top five shows in Spotify’s 2022 Wrapped—the audio thriller is back for a riveting second season. 

Case 63 stars Academy Award winner Julianne Moore (Still Alice, Boogie Nights, Far from Heaven) as Eliza Beatrix Knight and Emmy Award nominee Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight, Scenes from a Marriage, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) as Dr. Vincent Caldwell. Joining Moore and Isaac this season are Zoë Winters (Succession) who voices Marie Baker, a teenage girl whose very existence might be the key to the future, and Emmy and Tony nominee Arian Moayad (Succession, Inventing Anna) as Oliver Collins, a computer hacker with a knack for decryption, and perhaps a higher purpose to the mission.

Season two picks up in 2012—10 years earlier than the setting of the first season. Listeners will quickly find themselves consumed with worry as Eliza Beatrix Knight wakes confused in an airport with untold amounts of information about the future and the impending world-altering virus. She is hospitalized and receives treatment from a psychiatrist with a familiar voice, Dr. Caldwell. But her existence in this new reality poses more threats and questions than answers. With the future of humanity at risk, Beatrix must race to unravel her new present in order to save the future.

Fans should prepare to binge all 10 episodes of the when they land on September 26. 

Case 63 was created by Chilean screenwriter Julio Rojas and is produced by Spotify Studios, Moore’s production company FortySixty, and Isaac’s Mad Gene Media. Both Moore and Isaac serve as executive producers on the podcast. 

Case 63 season one marked the first time a Spotify Original podcast from a non-English-speaking market has been adapted into multiple languages. This highlights Spotify’s reach and underscores our commitment to bringing high-quality audio storytelling to all markets and regions around the world. 

Catch up on season one—on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts—before continuing the story.  

‘França e o Labirinto’ Launches as the First Brazilian-Produced Spotify Original Scripted Audio Series

Spotify fans in Brazil love a good scripted audio story, as evidenced by the popularity of series like Sofia, Batman Despertar, and Paciente 63Portuguese-language adaptations of the AI-themed drama Sandra, the superhero smash hit Batman Unburied, and the Chilean sci-fi thriller Caso 63, respectively. Paciente 63 even spent three weeks as the country’s most popular podcast on Spotify. 

And starting today, listeners will be able to dig into a new Spotify Original audio series: França e o Labirinto. The Portuguese-language thriller is our biggest fiction-based audio production in Brazil to date, and the first Spotify audio series to be fully produced in the country. 

França e o Labirinto follows private detective Nelson França on a thrill ride as he attempts to solve a murder that feels all too familiar. For years, Nelson helped the police on investigations, including the one that led to the arrest of a famous serial killer. Now, decades later, a new victim is found and França knows it’s the same criminal. This chase will send him down a trail filled with ghosts from his past. And that trail is even harder to navigate when you’re legally blind.  

Over the course of the show’s 13 episodes, Nelson’s sense of hearing is vital to helping him solve this mystery. And to immerse listeners deeper into França’s perspective, França e o Labirinto is the first Spotify Original audio series to deliver lifelike 3D audio through binaural recording techniques, which use two microphones separated by the width of a head to replicate the way our hearing works in real life.

Created in partnership with Jovem Nerd, the Brazilian media platform known for its popular podcast NerdCast, França e o Labirinto features Jovem Nerd founders Alexandre Ottoni and Deive Pazos as showrunners, and actor Selton Mello as the voice of Nelson.

To learn more about the show’s creation, as well as the rising popularity of scripted audio series across Brazil, For the Record spoke with Camila Justo, Spotify Production Operations Lead for Latin America.

França e o Labirinto is the first Spotify Original audio series to be fully produced in Brazil. It’s an exciting achievement!

Being able to produce 100% Brazilian content is an incredible opportunity to explore our identity and culture in an authentic way. Brazilians love fiction content, and França e o Labirinto is a very high-quality thriller. 

The production was a long process that involved more than 100 people between the technical team and the voice actors. We understood that what we were doing was something innovative, and we went through the different stages always focusing on quality.

What sort of success have you seen with fiction podcasts in Brazil to date?

Brazil is a country that consumes a lot of soap operas and series, so fictional content is already part of Brazilian culture. This gave us some indication that adapting fictional podcasts could be a big success. But listener engagement in Brazil went even further. Sofia, Batman Despertar, and Paciente 63 were all among the top podcasts on Spotify following their respective releases, and are still in the top 10 of Brazil’s most popular scripted audio series on Spotify to date. In addition, Paciente 63 won the APCA Award for Best Podcast of 2021.

Why is it important for countries to have innovative stories tailored to their audiences?

Innovating stories and initiatives for audiences in your country and language helps create a deeper connection, a greater identification between the story and the listener. This increases relatability, understanding, and engagement, leading to more meaningful experiences and stronger connections between creators and their audiences.

This new podcast uses binaural audio technology to allow the listener to be immersed in the main character’s perspective. How will this sound different for listeners?

3D audio technology has the capacity to deliver a seamless illusion of alternative reality and change the way we relate to and behave in sound. This resource helps in the construction of immersive narratives, enhancing the experience for the listener. 

Since we wanted the listener to be totally immersed in the main character, this was the best way to provide that experience. The listener will hear and feel everything that the main character feels—if someone whispers in his ear, they will whisper in your ear.

What was the scripting process like?

The script was developed by Leonel Caldela and Fábio Yabu, and also included consultation and revision by Lucas Radaelli, a visually impaired person who gave valuable input, since the main character is blind. 

Work on the script started in 2018, when Jovem Nerd first had the idea for the show. We then started working with them in 2019, and we suggested some ideas that would offer total immersion into the main character. We wanted the main character, França, to be present in every scene, so we opted against using flashbacks or narration.

Can you share some of the collaborators and talent Spotify worked with to bring this story to life. 

For França e o Labirinto, we’ve partnered with some of the best talent in Brazil. The creators and showrunners are Jovem Nerd’s founders, who have been in this audio universe for 20 years, and their show NerdCast is one of the most popular podcasts on Spotify, with more than 1.5 million monthly streams. 

In terms of voice talent, we have Selton Mello, a well-known and recognized actor in Brazil for major roles in TV, cinema, and dubbing. We also have a dream team of Brazilian voice actors including Luiz Carlos Persy, Maíra Góes, and Jorge Lucas, among others. And we have special appearances by Igão and Mítico, hosts of the Spotify Original podcast Carona Podpah, as well as screenwriter and comedian Antônio Tabet. The voice talents were also directed by the talented Fernanda Barone.

What do you see as the future of the fiction podcast genre in Brazil? 

I look forward to seeing the fiction podcast genre continue to grow and diversify in Brazil. We hope that França e o Labirinto will inspire many independent creators to venture into the podcast universe and explore different types of formats and styles. 

Ready to follow along with França as he tracks down a mysterious serial killer for a second time? Stream all 13 episodes of França e o Labirinto by pressing play below. 

‘França e o Labirinto’ estreia como a primeira audiossérie com roteiro original do Spotify produzida no Brasil

Os fãs do Spotify no Brasil adoram uma boa história em áudio com roteiro, como evidenciado pela popularidade das audiosséries Sofia, Batman Despertar e Paciente 63 – adaptações em português do drama com tema de IA Sandra, do sucesso de super-heróis Batman Unburied e do thriller de ficção científica chileno Caso 63, respectivamente. O Paciente 63 chegou a passar três semanas como o podcast mais popular do país no Spotify. 

E a partir de hoje, os ouvintes poderão se aprofundar em uma nova audiossérie Original Spotify: França e o Labirinto. O thriller em português é a nossa maior produção de áudio de ficção no Brasil até o momento, e a primeira áudiossérie do Spotify a ser totalmente produzida no país. 

França e o Labirinto acompanha o detetive particular Nelson França em uma saga emocionante enquanto ele tenta solucionar um assassinato que parece familiar demais. Durante anos, Nelson ajudou a polícia em investigações, incluindo a que levou à prisão de um famoso serial killer. Agora, décadas depois, uma nova vítima é encontrada e França sabe que se trata do mesmo criminoso. Essa perseguição o levará a uma trilha repleta de fantasmas de seu passado. E essa trilha é ainda mais difícil de navegar quando se é totalmente cego.  

Ao longo dos 13 episódios da série, o senso de audição de Nelson é vital para ajudá-lo a resolver esse mistério. E para mergulhar os ouvintes ainda mais na perspectiva do detetive, França e o Labirinto é a primeira audiossérie Original Spotify a oferecer áudio 3D, por meio de técnicas de gravação binaural, que usam dois microfones separados pela largura de uma cabeça para reproduzir a forma como nossa audição funciona na vida real.

Criada em parceria com a Jovem Nerd, a plataforma de mídia brasileira conhecida por seu popular podcast NerdCast, França e o Labirinto conta com os fundadores do Jovem Nerd, Alexandre Ottoni e Deive Pazos, como showrunners, e o ator Selton Mello como a voz de Nelson.

Para saber mais sobre a criação do programa, bem como sobre a crescente popularidade das audiosséries no Brasil, o For the Record conversou com Camila Justo,  líder de produção de podcasts do Spotify para a América Latina.

França e o Labirinto é a primeira audiossérie original do Spotify a ser totalmente produzida no Brasil. É uma conquista enorme!

Poder produzir conteúdo 100% brasileiro é uma oportunidade incrível para explorar nossa identidade e cultura de forma autêntica. Os brasileiros adoram conteúdo de ficção, e França e o Labirinto é um thriller de altíssima qualidade. 

A produção foi um longo processo que envolveu mais de 100 pessoas entre a equipe técnica e os dubladores. Entendemos que o que estávamos fazendo era algo inovador e, por isso, passamos por diferentes etapas, sempre com foco na qualidade.

Qual tipo de sucesso você obteve com os podcasts de ficção no Brasil até o momento?

O Brasil é um país que consome muitas novelas e séries, portanto, o conteúdo de ficção já faz parte da cultura brasileira. Isso nos deu algumas indicações de que as adaptações de podcasts de ficção poderiam ser um grande sucesso. Mas o engajamento dos ouvintes no Brasil foi ainda mais longe. Sofia, Batman Despertar e Paciente 63 ficaram entre os melhores podcasts do Spotify após seus respectivos lançamentos e ainda estão entre as 10 séries de áudio mais populares de ficção no Spotify até hoje. Além disso, o Paciente 63 ganhou o prêmio APCA de melhor podcast de 2021.

Por que é importante que os países tenham histórias inovadoras adaptadas a seus públicos?

Inovar histórias e iniciativas para o público de seu país e idioma ajuda a criar uma conexão mais profunda, uma maior identificação entre a história e o ouvinte. Isso aumenta a capacidade de relacionamento, a compreensão e o envolvimento, levando a experiências mais significativas e a conexões mais fortes entre os criadores e seus públicos.

Essa nova produção usa a tecnologia de áudio binaural para permitir que o ouvinte fique imerso na perspectiva do personagem principal. Como isso soará diferente para os ouvintes?

A tecnologia de áudio 3D tem a capacidade de proporcionar uma ilusão perfeita de realidade alternativa e mudar a maneira como nos relacionamos e nos comportamos em relação ao som. Esse recurso ajuda na construção de narrativas imersivas, aprimorando a experiência do ouvinte. 

Como queríamos que o ouvinte ficasse totalmente imerso no personagem principal, essa foi a melhor maneira de proporcionar essa experiência. O ouvinte ouvirá e sentirá tudo o que o personagem principal sente – se alguém sussurrar no ouvido dele, sussurrará no seu ouvido.

Como foi o processo de criação do roteiro?

O roteiro foi desenvolvido por Leonel Caldela e Fábio Yabu, e também contou com a consultoria e revisão de Lucas Radaelli, um deficiente visual que deu uma contribuição valiosa, já que o personagem principal é cego. 

O trabalho no roteiro começou em 2018, quando o Jovem Nerd teve a ideia da audiossérie. Começamos a trabalhar com eles em 2019 e sugerimos algumas ideias para proporcionar uma imersão total no personagem principal. Queríamos que o personagem principal, França, estivesse presente em todas as cenas, por isso optamos por não usar flashbacks ou narração.

Você poderia compartilhar alguns dos parceiros e talentos com os quais o Spotify trabalhou para dar vida a essa história? 

Para França e o Labirinto, fizemos uma parceria com alguns dos melhores talentos do Brasil. Os criadores e showrunners são os fundadores do Jovem Nerd, que estão nesse universo de áudio há 20 anos, e seu programa NerdCast é um dos podcasts mais populares do Spotify, com mais de 1,5 milhão de streams mensais. 

Em termos de atores de voz, temos Selton Mello, um ator conhecido e reconhecido no Brasil por grandes papéis na TV, cinema e dublagem. Também temos um time dos sonhos de dubladores brasileiros, incluindo Luiz Carlos Persy, Maíra Góes e Jorge Lucas, entre outros. E temos as participações especiais de Igão e Mítico, apresentadores do podcast Original Spotify Carona Podpah, além do roteirista e comediante Antônio Tabet. Além disso, todos os talentos de voz foram dirigidos pela talentosa Fernanda Barone.

O que você vê como o futuro do gênero podcast de ficção no Brasil? 

Estou ansiosa para ver o gênero de podcast de ficção continuar crescendo e se diversificando no Brasil. Esperamos que o França e o Labirinto inspire muitos criadores independentes a se aventurar no universo dos podcasts e a explorar diferentes formatos e estilos. 

Pronto para acompanhar  França na busca de um misterioso serial killer pela segunda vez? Escute todos os 13 episódios de França e o Labirinto dando o play abaixo.

Chilean Audio Series ‘Quemar Tu Casa’ Delivers More Bone-Chilling Horror With Part II

Following the success of its first season, the Spotify Original scripted audio series Quemar Tu Casa is back with a second installment that’s bringing more fright and delight to fans. 

Created and written by Caso 63’s Julio Rojas, Part II of the Chilean series picks back up with the story of Lina and Julieta. After previously managing to escape the dreaded Casa 669, the pair now finds themselves at the doorstep of another, equally unnerving house: La Invernada. As they step inside the walls of this immense and frightening structure, fans are immersed in a world containing many secrets . . . and many people who shouldn’t be trusted. 

Along with Giannina Fruttero and Magdelena Müller, who voice the aforementioned protagonists, the cast of Quemar Tu Casa features Mariana Loyola, Pedro Campos, Gabriela Hernández, Maitén Montenegro, Elvira López, Marcela Salinas, José María de Tavira, and Arturo Ríos.

Central to Quemar Tu Casa’s sinister and chilling atmosphere is its immersive use of sound. Along with real-world soundscapes, the series features a masterful score, which is once again helmed by Chilean composer Carlos Cabezas.

For the Record caught up with Julio to discuss La Invernada’s main character energy, his hopes for the future of audio-based storytelling, and the special techniques Quemar Tu Casa uses to evoke fear in listeners.  

Why is audio such a compelling medium to tell a horror story?

Audio is a form of communication that forges a connection of intimacy and has accompanied the human species for thousands of years, warning us of dangers and helping us to survive. Listening to someone tell stories—especially scary stories—in front of a campfire has been a way to protect us from the dangers that lurked outside. Some of that still remains today, like when kids get together at a camp or a sleepover. Someone always ends up telling a scary story because fear unites the tribe and allows the group to feel a collective sense of protection.

Are there unexpected ways sound is used to add horror or suspense?

Julio Rojas

There are several ways we accomplished this, and they revolve around using sound to replicate the sources of terror or suspense that we experience in daily life. The most important is silence, which is an extremely effective device in creating suspense. 

When the sound suddenly stops or there is an eerie pause, the viewer anticipates that something is about to happen. At the other extreme is the use of sudden and unexpected sounds: a door that slams shut, an object that falls, a bird that flies by. Just as the predictable generates tranquility, the unpredictable activates the alert system. 

Finally, there’s ambient sound: The background sound is the great generator of atmospheres of terror or suspense. In the case of Quemar Tu Casa Part II, it’s the noise of the sea, the sounds of the house, the wind, and the storm. Perhaps it connects us with the fear that we ancestrally had of the elements that we could not control.

Your last podcast, Caso 63, took off worldwide. Do you think Quemar Tu Casa could follow a similar trajectory?

I think stories that tap into our fears always engage audiences, and Quemar Tu Casa has all the elements: a fantastic cast featuring talented actresses like Giannina Fruttero and Magdalena Müller, a great director in Natalia Grez, the musical work of Carlos Cabezas, the support of the production company Fábula. They all contribute to creating a thoughtful and immersive audioscape that triggers the right emotions in listeners. I think this season will be well received.

Quemar Tu Casa has a strong sense of place. How does the presence of the house contribute to the overall story? 

It’s vital for listeners to feel the presence of the house—in this case La Invernada—as a character itself. To accomplish this, it was necessary to create dialogue and sound that allow listeners to truly visualize the house on the edge of the abyss.

We put emphasis on describing the objects in the rooms—describing the finishes, the floors, the tower, the footsteps on wooden floors, the wind blowing through the windows, and the sea on the rocks. One of the conventions of the horror genre is the idea that every house has a past, which is why the series explores past events of tragedies and supernatural encounters that occurred in La Invernada.

By combining these elements into an audio narrative, we’ve aimed for an immersive experience where listeners connect with the characters on an emotional level. In short, we want listeners to feel afraid.

What role does postproduction play in creating immersive atmospheres?

It’s the key factor that lets listeners experience the series as an audiovisual experience. Thanks to postproduction, they can create a true replica of reality and “watch” an audio series in their heads. When the story, performance, and postproduction come together to form a triangle of creative harmony, listeners stop experiencing each part separately and start “seeing” the sound.

What are you looking forward to as the world of audio storytelling continues to grow and develop? 

I’m looking forward to audio-based narratives becoming as popular as other forms of entertainment, where it’s generating things like fan communities and cultural moments. 

I also hope that the new generations of screenwriters see it as a valid medium for telling stories—like they do cinema, television, literature, or theater. Audio was the first human form of communication. And in a way, audio narratives are returning people to that origin.

Ready to dive into the shudder-inducing world of Quemar Tu Casa? Stream the first episode of Part II below, or start from the very beginning.

La audio serie chilena ‘Quemar Tu Casa’ regresa para una nueva parte de terror escalofriante

Tras el éxito de su primera temporada, la audio serie original de Spotify “Quemar Tu Casa” está de vuelta con una segunda entrega que trae más miedo y deleite a los fanáticos.

Creada y escrita por Julio Rojas de “Caso 63“, la segunda parte de la serie chilena retoma la historia de Lina y Julieta. Después de haber logrado escapar de la temida Casa 669, la pareja ahora se encuentra en la puerta de otra casa igualmente desconcertante: La Invernada. A medida que ingresan a las paredes de esta inmensa y aterradora estructura, los fanáticos se sumergen en un mundo que contiene muchos secretos. . . y muchas personas en las que no se debe confiar.

Junto a Giannina Fruttero y Magdelena Müller, quienes dan voz a las protagonistas antes mencionadas, el elenco de “Quemar Tu Casa” también cuenta con las actuaciones de Mariana Loyola, Pedro Campos, Gabriela Hernández, Maitén Montenegro, Elvira López, Marcela Salinas, José María de Tavira y Arturo Ríos.

Lo que distingue la atmósfera siniestra y escalofriante de “Quemar Tu Casa” es su uso inmersivo del sonido. Y junto con los paisajes sonoros del mundo real, la serie contó con una partitura magistral, dirigida una vez más por el compositor chileno Carlos Cabezas.

For the Record se reunió con Julio para discutir las técnicas especiales que usa “Quemar Tu Casa” para provocar miedo en los oyentes, la energía del personaje principal de La Invernada y los desafíos futuros de la narración basada en audio.

¿Por qué el audio es un medio tan convincente para contar una historia de terror?

Cuando alguien escucha un formato de audio, se activa un mecanismo de comunicación y de conexión de intimidad que ha acompañado a la especie humana durante miles de años. El formato de audio fue el primero para advertirnos de los peligros y de estrategias de supervivencia. Escuchar a alguien frente a una fogata, escuchar historias, nos protegía y el miedo tenía un componente de protección. Nos contaban historias de miedo para protegernos de los peligros que acechaban en el exterior. Algo de eso ha quedado y cuando un grupo, de niñas o niños, se juntan en un campamento o en una pijamada, siempre alguien termina contando una historia de miedo. El miedo une a la tribu, porque comparten un imaginario de protección en común.

¿Cuáles son algunas de las formas inesperadas en que se usa el sonido en esta serie para agregar terror, suspenso o incluso un momento de ligereza?

Julio Rojas

Hay varias formas y estas replican las fuentes de terror o suspenso que experimentamos en la vida diaria. El más importante, el silencio. Un dispositivo extremadamente eficaz en la creación de suspenso. Cuando el sonido se detiene de repente o hay una pausa inquietante, el espectador anticipa que algo está a punto de suceder. 

En el otro extremo está el sonido repentino e inesperado, una puerta que se cierra de golpe, un objeto que cae, un pájaro que entra… así como lo predecible genera tranquilidad, lo impredecible activa el sistema de alerta. 

Y por último, el sonido ambiente: El sonido de fondo es el gran generador de atmósferas de terror o suspenso. En el caso de “Quemar Tu Casa”, en esta segunda parte, el ruido del mar, los sonidos de la casa, el viento y la tormenta. Quizás nos conecta con el temor que ancestralmente le teníamos a los elementos que no podíamos controlar. 

Tu último podcast, Caso 63, despegó a nivel mundial. ¿Crees que Quemar Tu Casa podría ver una trayectoria similar? 

Creo que las historias que conectan con nuestros miedos o nuestras emociones generan siempre audiencias comprometidas y generan un boca a boca que hacen que una serie despegue, y “Quemar Tu Casa” tiene todos los elementos. Talentosas actrices como Giannina Fruttero, y Magdalena Müller, entre un elenco fantástico , una gran dirección de Natalia Grez, un universo sonoro muy cuidado y perfecto para causar inquietud, obra de Carlos Cabezas, y el soporte de Fábula. Creo que le irá muy bien.

Quemar Tu Casa está muy centrado en la ubicación. ¿Cómo se pliega la presencia de la casa en la historia, así como en la narración de audio?  

Es vital que uno pueda sentir la presencia de la casa, en este caso “la invernada” como un personaje en sí. Para eso, fue necesario deslizar en los diálogos y los sonidos claves descriptivas al oyente para que pudiera “ver” la casa e imaginarla, al borde del abismo, con sus pisos, con su torreón, con su despeñadero. Pusimos énfasis en describir los objetos en las habitaciones, describir los acabados, los pisos, la torre, las pisadas en pisos de madera, el viento que soplaba a través de las ventanas, el mar en las rocas. Además siguiendo el género, toda casa tiene un pasado. Por eso en Quemar Tu Casa 2 se mencionan también relatos de eventos pasados de tragedias y encuentros sobrenaturales que ocurrieron. Al combinar estos elementos en una narración de audio, intentamos lograr una experiencia inmersiva y aterradora que permitiera sentir la presencia real de la casa embrujada y conectar emocionalmente con los personajes y sus experiencias. En definitiva, sentir miedo.

¿Cuál es el papel único de la postproducción en la creación de entornos sonoros para podcasts?

Es clave para convertir la historia sonora en una experiencia audiovisual. Gracias a la postproducción, podemos crear en nuestra cabeza una verdadera réplica de la realidad y  “ver” una película o una serie, con la emoción y con el tono exacto que se quiere obtener. Cuando la historia, la actuación y la postproducción en este triángulo creativo se enlazan armónicamente, dejas de ver cada parte por separado y se crea la experiencia completa y poderosa de “ver el sonido”.  

¿Qué esperas a medida que el mundo de la narración de audio continúa creciendo y desarrollándose? 

Que sea un formato tan común e integrado a nuestra vida diaria, como lo es la ficción de streaming hoy en día, que genera fenómenos culturales y comunidades de fans. Y que las nuevas generaciones de guionistas lo consideran tan válido para contar historias como lo son el cine, la literatura, el teatro o el streaming. Era la primera comunicación humana. Es de alguna manera, volver al origen.

¿Listo para sumergirte en el estremecedor mundo de Quemar Tu Casa”? Escucha la Parte II ahora o comienza la historia desde el principio.

Ya están aquí: los artistas, canciones y podcasts más escuchados, además de las tendencias de escucha del 2022

No hay una sola forma de definir lo que ha sido el 2022. El volver luego de algunos años de incertidumbre nos ha llevado a que cada quien cree una “nueva normalidad” en nuestras relaciones con la cultura, y entre nosotros. Este año, los oyentes de Spotify aprovecharon para redefinir lo que les apasiona. Y ahora es tiempo de relevar lo que colectivamente cautivó y obsesionó a todo el mundo en la suma de todos los Mi 2022 en Spotify

Desde la música que nos hace bailar hasta los podcasts que nos mantienen fascinados, este es el audio que llegó a la cima de las playlists de los oyentes de Spotify.

Los artistas más escuchados de 2022 

Es un tricampeonato para Bad Bunny. El cantante y compositor es el artista más escuchado del mundo en Spotify, un lugar que mantiene desde el 2020. Ningún otro artista ha logrado esa hazaña antes, así que para celebrar, convertimos el botón de corazón en Spotify en el icónico corazón rojo de Un Verano Sin Ti. El artista también fue el más escuchado en todos los países hispanohablantes de Latinoamérica.

Taylor Swift  llegó a tiempo a la cita con sus fans a medianoche, y eso la impulsó a convertirse en la segunda artista más reproducida del año globalmente, y en el primer lugar de Australia, el Reino Unido, Irlanda, Malasia, Filipinas, Nueva Zelanda, Qatar, Eslovenia y Singapur. Completando los cinco artistas más escuchados están las dos potencias de Toronto, Drake y The Weeknd, junto con la banda de K-Pop BTS 

Las canciones más escuchadas de 2022 

El creador de la canción del verano de 2022, Harry Styles, se lleva el codiciado honor de tener la canción más reproducida en todo el mundo con su éxito “As It Was”. La canción “Heat Waves” de la banda británica de indie rock Glass Animals es la segunda canción más escuchada de 2022, y los fanáticos simplemente no tienen suficiente. La colaboración del artista australiano The Kid LAROI con  Justin Bieber en “STAY” es la tercera canción más reproducida del año. “Me Porto Bonito feat. Chencho Corleone y “Tití Me Preguntó” de Bad Bunny ocupan el cuarto y quinto lugar, respectivamente.

Los álbumes más escuchados del 2022

Ahora bien, ¿qué obra en formato álbum, se escuchó más en 2022? Del español al inglés, del pop al hip-hop, los oyentes de todo el mundo mostraron una variedad de gustos. Un Verano Sin Ti  de Bad Bunny ocupa el primer lugar como el álbum más reproducido a nivel global para 2022. Harry’s House  de Harry Styles ocupa el segundo lugar. El álbum debut de Olivia Rodrigo, SOUR, ocupa el tercer lugar como álbum más escuchado. El álbum = de la superestrella del pop británico Ed Sheeran sigue siendo un favorito de los fans en el número cuatro. Finalmente, el álbum Planet Her (Deluxe) de la rapera y cantante estadounidense Doja Cat ocupa el quinto sitio.

Los podcasts más escuchados de 2022

Este año, la oferta de podcasts de Spotify se expandió a nuevos mercados, brindando a más oyentes de todo el mundo nuevos programas para maratonear. Con más de cuatro millones de podcasts, la plataforma ofrece algo para cada tipo de oyente de podcasts. Pero, ¿qué programas dejaron su huella especialmente en 2022? A nivel mundial, el podcast más popular por tercer año consecutivo es The Joe Rogan Experience. Call Her Daddy, de Alex Cooper, ocupa el lugar del segundo podcast más popular. Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain, una futura exclusiva de Spotify que toca una variedad de temas de la popular creadora estadounidense, ocupa el tercer lugar, mientras que Caso 63, un podcast original de Spotify que se estrenó en español, portugués brasileño, hindi, y el inglés ocupa el cuarto lugar con todas sus iteraciones de idiomas combinadas. Crime Junkie, un podcast sobre crímenes reales de Ashley Flowers y Brit Prawat, completa la lista como el quinto podcast más popular.

Las tendencias globales que moldearon el año 

Estos artistas, canciones, álbumes y podcasts no fueron los únicos referentes que dieron forma a nuestro año. También hubo tendencias de audio en Spotify que unieron a las personas a través de la risa y la diversión. 

La nostalgia sigue muy presente en las playlists de los fans 

 

Y, por supuesto, nuestros oyentes realmente dominan todo sobre sus programas y películas.

 

¿Ya revisaste tu propio #Mi2022enSpotify? ¿Estos artistas, canciones, álbumes, podcasts y tendencias aparecen en tu experiencia de fin de año? Obtén más información sobre lo que tenemos reservado específicamente para ti aquí.

Mientras nos despedimos de 2022, puedes encontrar las listas completas de las canciones, los artistas, álbumes y podcasts más escuchados a continuación.

Los artistas más escuchados globalmente 

  1. Bad Bunny
  2. Taylor Swift
  3. Drake
  4. The Weeknd
  5. BTS

Los álbumes más escuchados globalmente

  1. 1. Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny
  2. Harry’s House by Harry Styles
  3. SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo
  4. = by Ed Sheeran
  5. Planet Her by Doja Cat

Las canciones más escuchadas globalmente 

  1. “As It Was” by Harry Styles
  2. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  3. “STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI
  4. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny feat. Chencho Corleon
  5. “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny

Los podcasts más populares globalmente 

  1. The Joe Rogan Experience
  2. Call Her Daddy
  3. Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
  4. Case 63 (All Languages) 
  5. Crime Junkie 

Los artistas de K-Pop más escuchados globalmente 

  1. BTS
  2. BLACKPINK
  3. TWICE
  4. Stray Kids
  5. SEVENTEEN

Las canciones con las letras más compartidas globalmente 

  1. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  2. “Heather” by Conan Gray
  3. “I Love You So” by The Walters
  4. “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey
  5. “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane

Los artistas más virales globalmente 

  1. Taylor Swift
  2. The Weeknd
  3. Bad Bunny
  4. BTS
  5. Lana Del Rey

*Artistas virales significa que su música se comparte con mayor frecuencia en las plataformas sociales desde Spotify

Artistas más escuchadas de la playlist EQUAL 

  1. Sara James
  2. Shania Twain
  3. Evangelia
  4. Avril Lavigne
  5. Ethel Cain

It’s Here: The Top Songs, Artists, Podcasts, and Listening Trends of 2022

Gif of the Wrapped lockup on a purple background

There’s no single way to define what a year 2022 has been. Coming back after a few years of uncertainty has led each of us to create a “new normal” in our relationships to culture—and to each other. This year, Spotify listeners especially took the chance to redefine how they find joy. And now, it’s time to unveil what the world collectively delighted in and obsessed over with Spotify’s 2022 Wrapped

From the music that makes us dance to the podcasts that keep us riveted, this is the audio that bubbled to the top of Spotify listeners’ playlists.

The top global artists of 2022

It’s a three-peat for global recording artist Bad Bunny. The singer-songwriter is the year’s most-streamed artist in the world on Spotify—a spot he’s held since 2020. No other artist has ever accomplished the feat before, so to celebrate, we’ve turned the heart button on Spotify into the singer’s custom red-heart icon.

Taylor Swift held true to her invitation to meet her at midnight, and it propelled her to become the second-most-streamed artist of the year globally—and the top artist in Australia, the U.K., Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Qatar, Slovenia, and Singapore. Rounding out the top five artists are the two very familiar Toronto powerhouses Drake and The Weeknd, along with K-Pop band BTS

Top artists globally

Plenty of artists had their worlds rocked this year by the power of social media. The most “viral” artists were those who had their music most frequently shared to social platforms from Spotify. Taylor Swift’s Midnights release certainly got the world talking, and she claims the top spot as the most viral artist globally. The second-place position goes to The Weeknd, followed by Bad Bunny. Rounding out spots four and five are BTS and Lana Del Rey

most viral artists globally
The top global songs of 2022

Song of the summer 2022 creator Harry Styles takes the coveted honor of having the most-streamed song around the globe with his hit “As It Was.” British indie rock band Glass Animals’ track “Heat Waves” is the second-most-streamed song of 2022, and fans just can’t get enough. Australian artist The Kid LAROI’s collab with Justin Bieber on “STAY” is the third-most-streamed song of the year. Bad Bunny’s “Me Porto Bonitofeat. Chencho Corleon and “Tití Me Preguntótake spots four and five, respectively.

most streamed songs globally
The top global albums of 2022

So what collective body of work, in album form, was streamed most in 2022? From Spanish to English, pop to hip-hop, listeners around the world showed a variety of tastes. Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti takes the top spot for most-streamed album globally for 2022. Harry StylesHarry’s House comes in at number two. Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album, SOUR, takes the third spot for most-streamed album. British pop superstar Ed Sheeran’s album = continues to be a fan favorite at number four. And finally, American rapper and singer Doja Cat’s album Planet Her (Deluxe) grabs the fifth spot.

most streamed albums globally

 

The top global podcasts of 2022

This year, Spotify’s podcast offerings expanded into new markets, providing more listeners around the world with new shows to binge. With more than four million podcasts, the platform offers something for every type of podcast listener. But what shows especially made their mark in 2022? Globally, the most popular podcast for the third year running is The Joe Rogan Experience. Call Her Daddy, from host Alex Cooper, takes the spot for second-most popular podcast. Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain, a soon-to-be-Spotify Exclusive touching on a variety of topics from the popular American creator, takes the third spot, while Caso 63, a Spotify Original podcast that’s debuted in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Hindi, and English takes the fourth spot with all its language iteration feeds combined. Crime Junkie, a true-crime podcast from Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, rounds out the list as the fifth-most popular podcast. 

most popular podcasts globally

 

The global trends that shaped our year

These most-streamed artists, songs, albums, and podcasts weren’t the only guideposts that shaped our year. There were also audio trends on Spotify that brought people together through laughter, amusement, and enjoyment.

Nostalgia remains a staple in our listeners’ queues. 

 

This year, Spotify fans were all about the aesthetic. 

After two years of pandemic postponement, 2022 was the year for many to finally say, “I do.” 

Little Miss, the British children’s book character, made a resurgence in 2022 with fill-in-the-blank-style memes. May we suggest “Little Miss can’t stop posting her Wrapped results”? 

But a new topic that surprised everyone was corn, thanks to corn kid. 

And, of course, our listeners really know their shows and movies.

 

And their memes.

 

Have you checked out your own Wrapped yet? Do these artists, songs, albums, podcasts, and trends make an appearance in your end-of-year experience? Find out more about what we have in store specifically for you here.

As we bid farewell to 2022, you can find the full lists of the top songs, artists, albums, and podcasts below.

Most-Streamed Artists Globally

  1. Bad Bunny
  2. Taylor Swift
  3. Drake
  4. The Weeknd
  5. BTS

Most-Streamed Artists in the U.S. 

  1. Drake
  2. Taylor Swift
  3. Bad Bunny
  4. Kanye West
  5. The Weeknd

Most-Streamed Albums Globally

  1. Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny
  2. Harry’s House by Harry Styles
  3. SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo
  4. = by Ed Sheeran
  5. Planet Her by Doja Cat

Most-Streamed Albums in the U.S.

  1. Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny
  2. Harry’s House by Harry Styles
  3. Dangerous: The Double Album by Morgan Wallen
  4. Midnights by Taylor Swift
  5. SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo

Most-Streamed Songs Globally

  1. “As It Was” by Harry Styles
  2. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  3. “STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI
  4. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny feat. Chencho Corleon
  5. “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny

Most-Streamed Songs in the U.S.

  1. “As It Was” by Harry Styles
  2. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  3. “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy
  4. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny feat. Chencho Corleon
  5. “First Class” by Jack Harlow 

Most Popular Podcasts Globally

  1. The Joe Rogan Experience
  2. Call Her Daddy
  3. Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
  4. Case 63 (All Languages) 
  5. Crime Junkie 

Most Popular Podcasts in the U.S.

  1. The Joe Rogan Experience
  2. Call Her Daddy
  3. Crime Junkie
  4. The Daily
  5. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Mind-Bending Chilean Podcast Gets English Adaptation With ‘Case 63,’ starring Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaac

Time-altering and reality-shifting thrills await as Case 63, the highly anticipated English adaptation of the chart-topping Chilean scripted audio series, makes its debut October 25. Produced by Gimlet Studios, Case 63 features Academy Award–winning actress Julianne Moore alongside Golden Globe winner and Moon Knight star Oscar Isaac. Both stars are also executive producers of the series.

headshot of actress julianne moore

Julianne Moore

The series follows psychiatrist Eliza Knight (Julianne) as she records her sessions with an enigmatic patient known only as “Case 63” (Oscar), who claims to be a time traveler coming back from the future to prevent the next global pandemic. As each episode progresses, the boundaries between past, present, and future blur and the two characters discover they may have the future of humanity in their hands.

Case 63 was my very first audio experience and I was able to see firsthand how immersive and impactful podcasting is as a mode of storytelling,” Julianne told For the Record. “It is a thrilling and timely story—incredibly mysterious and romantic, suspenseful, and strange. And the opportunity to work with my friends Oscar Isaac and Mimi O’Donnell made the recording a joy.” 

The two actors bring their incredible talents to a series that has captivated Latin America since it first aired in 2020.

“I’m a big fan of the original series, Caso 63, and it was great to be able to partner with Spotify and Julianne on this adaptation,” said Oscar.  

headshot of actor Oscar isaac

Oscar Isaac

“We are so excited to bring this beloved story from Latin America to the English-speaking audience,” said director and executive producer Mimi O’Donnell. “There are so many twists and turns set against an immersive backdrop that the team on this show created, led by an incredibly talented group of creatives here in the U.S. Every adaptation of this series is anchored by captivating production. With Case 63, listeners feel like they are alongside Oscar and Julianne every step of the way through this mind-bending journey.”

Following its launch, Caso 63 became Spotify’s most listened to scripted original podcast in Latin America, thanks to the talents of costars Antonia Zegers and Néstor Cantillana. The show was such a hit that Spotify tapped Brazilian actors Seu Jorge and Mel Lisboa to be featured in a Portuguese-language adaptation—Paciente 63—less than a year later. And earlier this year, Spotify India brought on Bollywood husband-and-wife actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal to create a Hindi-language adaptation, titled Virus 2062.

The outstanding success of the show marks the first time a non-English Spotify Original podcast has been adapted into multiple languages, highlighting Spotify’s audio reach and commitment to bringing high-quality storytelling with impactful voices to fans around the world.

“I am so excited to bring this story from Latin America to the English-speaking audience and get to know their thoughts, hear their theories, and simply share good storytelling with more audiences,” said Javier Piñol, the show’s executive producer and Global Head of Markets, Talk Content at Spotify. “I am proud of the work done by the whole team in Latin America to produce three well-crafted seasons, cementing Spotify’s mission to not only inspire others to create, but to share in the understanding that great storytelling comes from all over the world.”

“I hope everyone will enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it,” said Julianne. “Case 63 is exactly the kind of story that I love.”

Get ready to start your session with Dr. Knight by listening to Case 63 on October 25th:

 

Argentina’s First Scripted Thriller, ‘Número Oculto,’ Takes Listeners on a Chilling Journey Through Time

If you received a mysterious call with information about your future, what would you do? This question serves as the premise for Número Oculto, Spotify’s latest fiction audio series, which is now available to stream. 

This sci-fi thriller marks an exciting new step for Spanish-language and Latin American podcasts as the first project of its kind to be produced in Argentina. Executive-produced by Nacho Gil—who also helmed the breakout Chilean hit Caso 63Número Oculto features the  talents of Argentine screen actors Candela Vetrano, who steps into the lead role, and Peter Lanzani, who takes on the directing responsibilities. The two have starred together in various hit TV series including Chiquitas and Casi Angeles

Número Oculto opens with Sofía, a promising young writer played by Candela, who is on her way to an important meeting when her day takes a peculiar turn: She begins receiving calls from an unknown figure who possesses a startling amount of information about not only her past, but her future. Caught between her practical plans and these strange premonitions, Sofía must decide whether to listen to the secret caller as they attempt to divert her from her appointment.

Photo of Numero Oculto protagonist Sofía, played.by Candela Vetrano

Candela Vetrano as Sofía

Time and destiny are key to Número Oculto as each of the 10 chapters narrates a race against time and a chance to change an uncertain future. It’s an experience that’s sure to leave listeners on the edge of their seats, subway benches, or wherever else they may be streaming from. 

Curious about the ingredients needed to create a successful audio thriller, For the Record caught up with Nacho to discuss the creative thinking behind Número Oculto, the enduring success of Caso 63, and the impact of scripted fiction audio series on the podcasting landscape. 

Are there particular qualities about the sci-fi thriller genre that work particularly well for a scripted audio series?

I think audiences in Latin America love science fiction, and there is not a lot of high-quality content being produced in that genre—mostly because of the elevated cost to produce these stories in other formats. Audio is a phenomenal space for these types of stories because it invites people to complete the story, to bring them to life and create their own version of these realities in their minds. It’s amazing to hear how different people picture the worlds that we’ve been presenting to them in audio.

Creatively speaking, were there any new ideas you were aiming to explore with Número Oculto

We loved the idea of characters’ interacting with themselves at other points in time. Usually in these types of stories, it’s a no-go. So bringing that interaction to life was definitely exciting, but also a challenge in audio since you don’t have the visual support to know who is who.

What was the inspiration behind the creation of Número Oculto

The idea was brought to us by Emiliano Torres and Diego Copello at K&S. “What if you could call yourself in the past?” We were immediately hooked. That was the seed of what became Número Oculto. We loved the potential for an audio drama series based on the idea of a phone conversation with oneself at another moment in time.

With the success of projects such as Batman Unburied, as well as your previous podcast, Caso 63, scripted audio series are starting to hit their stride. Why do you think this format has become so popular with listeners?

I think scripted fiction is a great alternative to novels. People are embracing both having a role in the story and experiencing immersive storytelling in a hands-free way. In Latin America, scripted fiction has allowed us to provide audiences with heroes that are like themselves. It’s pushing representation in a genre that usually features American protagonists. With Caso 63 and Número Oculto, we have Latin characters at the center of stories with global stakes.

Speaking of Caso 63, what was it like to have the show reach a global level of popularity and receive multiple adaptations?

It was very rewarding to see Caso 63 travel like it did. It was a unique moment in time in which all of humanity was living the same story, even if not a positive one. Caso 63 indirectly reflected upon what was happening at a global level. When people were looking for answers, Caso 63 not only presented an escape, but also offered an interesting take on the larger issues that got us to a global pandemic. Latin America has always been a region with incredible talent that knows how to tell universal stories. It’s great to see that happening in the audio space as well.

Número Oculto features the Argentinian TV and movie stars Peter Lanzani and Candela Vetrano. What was it like to work with such notable actors on this project?

We were thrilled to have Peter in a directing role for the first time. His work as an actor is incredible, so he can really speak to what’s needed to deliver an impactful performance. Lately he’s been doing theater and I think there is a lot of common ground with scripted audio, which he brought to the project. 

photo of Numero Oculto lead actress Candela Vetrano and director Peter Lanzani

Candela Vetrano and Peter Lanzani

Candela also did an amazing job bringing to life the writer Sofía Zemanov, and their excitement about exploring the format is reflected in a unique project that is the first of its kind in Argentina. The country has a long tradition of radio theater, and Número Oculto continues that tradition with a fresh take for contemporary audiences who like serialized narratives that are more concise.

When you think about the future of scripted audio series, how do you envision its evolution?

I think we are still at the early days of the format, but an increasing number of writers are embracing it and defining the language. Projects like El Gran Apagón, Guerra 3, Quemar tu Casa, Toxicomanía, and Somos Novios, along with many others, are exploring different subgenres within scripted audio. We have been collaborating with creators that come from other mediums such as TV, film and theater, and they’re realizing that audio provides them with more creative freedom and fewer budgetary limits to bring very ambitious stories to life. 

On the other side, actors are embracing the challenge of bringing characters to life only with sound and shorter production timelines in which the focus of the process is on their performance. The industry is also paying attention. We are now seeing audio series being adapted into TV shows, like Homecoming in the U.S. and El Gran Apagón in Spain. I’m very excited about the future of scripted audio series and can’t wait to see where creators take it next.

Ready to unravel the mystery of these future dispatches Sofía is receiving? Hit the play button below to start streaming Número Oculto now.