Netflix Orders Supernatural Horror Series ‘Archive 81,’ Starring Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi

Netflix has announced a series order for Archive 81, an original story loosely inspired by the popular found-footage horror podcast. Created by Rebecca Sonnenshine, Archive 81 has Rebecca Thomas as director, James Wan’s Atomic Monster is executive producing alongside Rebecca Sonnenshine, who will also be the showrunner.

The series is about archivist Dan Turner (Athie), who 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.

Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World: Dominion; Uncorked; Oh Jerome, No) will play Dan Turner, and Dina Shihabi (Ya Bint, Altered Carbon, Ramy, Jack Ryan) is Melody Pendras.

The first season will have 8 episodes of one-hour each.

Rebecca Sonnenshine previous credits include The Vampire Diaries, The Boys. “With Archive 81, we’re hoping to give the supernatural horror genre a new twist -- while keeping a dark, deeply emotional romance as its core. Alongside the talented Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi, and visionary partners Atomic Monster and Rebecca Thomas, I'm excited to take Netflix viewers on a terrifying and visually thrilling adventure,” said Sonnenshine.

Rebecca Thomas, whose previous includes Stranger Things, Limetown, serves as Executive Producer. She will direct half of the season, including the first episode.

James Wan’s Atomic Monster (MacGyver; The Conjuring Universe film franchise; and the upcoming Malignant and There’s Someone Inside Your House) -- James Wan and Michael Clear are Executive Producers; Rob Hackett is a Co-Executive Producer.

Paul Harris Boardman (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Deliver Us From Evil) developed the original script. The original Archive 81 podcast was created by Marc Sollinger and Daniel Powell, who serve as co-producers on the series.