Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

Amazon Studios has ordered a new series The Horror of Dolores Roach from Blumhouse Television, Spotify’s Gimlet, and GloNation Studios, with Justina Machado starring in the title role.

The eight-episode, half-hour series – based on the hit Gimlet podcast series of the same name – is a contemporary Sweeney Todd-inspired tale of eat or be eaten; a macabre urban legend of love, betrayal, weed, gentrification, cannibalism, and survival of the fittest. Aaron Mark, who wrote and directed the original podcast, and Dara Resnik will serve as co-showrunners and executive produce the series, alongside Gloria Calderón Kellett and Roxann Dawson, who directed the pilot.

“After eight years living with the indomitable Dolores Roach in multiple forms, I could not be more thrilled to be bringing her to life on television with this powerhouse team,” said Mark.

“We at Amazon Studios fell in love with this story along with everyone else as the podcast captured listeners. We couldn’t be more excited and fortunate to be working with such world-class creatives to bring Dolores Roach to screen in what is sure to be a captivating series,” said Marc Resteghini, head of development, Amazon Studios.

“Dolores Roach is exactly the type of fresh, bold, and completely unique storytelling that Blumhouse is passionate about making. Audiences will soon see why this modern-day horror story with a darkly humorous twist is just so special,” said Chris McCumber, president of Blumhouse Television.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the teams at Amazon Studios, Blumhouse, and GloNation to bring Spotify/Gimlet’s fan favourite, The Horror of Dolores Roach, from podcast to screens. The complicated story of Dolores Roach, coloured by the bustling soundscape of New York City, not only lends itself to immersive audio but also rich storytelling. We’re honoured to have this action-packed adventure of Dolores Roach, voiced in the podcast by Daphne Rubin-Vega, and portrayed in the series by Justina Machado, exist in audio and on the screen,” said Lydia Polgreen, managing director of Spotify’s Gimlet.

Dolores Roach is released from prison after 16 years and returns to a severely gentrified Washington Heights with $200 and the clothes on her back. Her boyfriend missing, her family long gone, Dolores reunites with an old stoner buddy, Luis, who gives her room and board and lets her give massages for cash in the basement under his dilapidated storefront, Empanada Loca, the only remnant of her former life. When the promise of her newfound stability is quickly threatened, “Magic Hands Dolores” is driven to shocking extremes to survive, and in the face of unexpected professional success, Dolores and Luis become dangerously symbiotic, and Luis must unleash his own peculiar predilections. Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) stars as the titular character. Alejandro Hernandez, Kita Updike, and K. Todd Freeman also star.