Dracula: The Modern Audio Drama

Dracula: The Modern Audio Drama

Show: Dracula: The Modern Audio Drama

Role(s): Dr. Johanna Seward, Lilly Renfield

Creator: Quiet Pantheon Studios

Status: Release Ongoing

Listen:

About the show: A modernization of the original Dracula. Everything starts when the journalist Jonathan Harker disappears in Romania interviewing this reclusive Count. His absence affects his fiancée, Mina; his best friend, Johanna; and all the people in his social circle (Arthur, Lucy, Quentin). But when Mina manages to find Jonathan and bring him back, the horror follows him back to the United States. Soon people are disappearing and being drained of blood, and no one knows how to stop the monster. Johanna brings in her old college professor Van Helsing to help build a strategy to kill him, but it’s easier said than done . . . and who knows how many of them will be lost along the way?

Creator’s Character Description (JOHANNA): She’s a doctor, super grounded, and basically the emotional center of the team. She plays doctor like it’s a war game—sterile, exacting, merciless. But she is not immune to infection. Johanna Seward is based on Dr. Seward from the original Dracula—he was one of Lucy’s suitors and ran the asylum where Renfield was kept. In this version, Johanna is a resident doctor at Bramwell Hospital. She had a quiet crush on Lucy, but never acted on it—it’s more background texture than a big romance. She’s logical, reserved, really good at compartmentalizing, but there’s a lot going on under the surface. Think emotionally walled-off genius, someone who solves other people’s trauma so she doesn’t have to face her own. She’s sharp, kind when it counts, but very clinical, very precise. Her emotional arc is slow-burning—starts as the voice of reason and gradually gets pulled deeper into the horror.

What do I like best about playing this character (JOHANNA): Her emotional complexity is challenging and I like that. Sounding confident and grounded is one thing, but sounding like I’m TRYING to sound confident and grounded while being far more unsure is tricky. I like that she’s analytical and always ready with a reality check, so I get to bounce off other characters who are flipping out and bring them down to earth, but I also have my emotional moments that help show the audience how upset we’re supposed to be at this point. She’s been through a lot and sometimes she just sounds SO done. And her relationships feel well thought out, making them easy to play believably.

What do I like least about playing this character (JOHANNA): I am a wimp and dislike nearly all forms of horror, so sometimes it’s stressful to be in an audio drama with so much violence and blood. Though at least that helps the horror feel real when I have to voice it.

Creator’s Character Description (LILLY): Just a lovable kid who’s excited to be in a castle! Renfield had a heart before letting that heart die.

What do I like best about playing this character (LILLY): She seems imaginative, cute, and creative–I love portraying the bond she has with her dad and showcasing her playfulness.

What do I like least about playing this character (LILLY): Adults trying to play children, especially YOUNG children like this five-year-old, is always kind of a reach. I don’t know that I’m especially good at it and was not confident about approaching this role. I tried to compromise between talking like little kids talk and making it understandable to the audience. Oh yeah, and I must say I don’t care much for dying onscreen.

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