Heads Will Roll (podcast)
Heads Will Roll is a fantasy podcast produced by Audible and Broadway Video and starring Kate McKinnon and her sister Emily Lynne.[1]
Background
[edit]The show is a 10 episode scripted comedy and fantasy podcast that debuted on May 2, 2019.[2] The show was produced by Audible and Broadway Video.[3][4] Most of the cast is made up of Saturday Night Live alumni.[5] The show is "halfway between an audiobook and a podcast".[6] The show stars Kate McKinnon and her sister Emily Lynne.[7] The cast includes Peter Dinklage.[8] The show also features songs performed by Audra McDonald.[9] AudioFile Magazine speculated whether the show might have a sequel.[10] The role of the evil queen was inspired by one of Vanessa Redgrave's roles.[11]
Synopsis
[edit]The show centers upon Queen Mortuana, a self-centered evil queen and her raven sidekick, JoJo as they try to navigate relationships, ennui, and fame amidst a peasant uprising. As the series progresses Mortuana confesses that she never wanted to become an evil queen while JoJo continuously seeks for a way to break the curse that leaves her in the form of a raven. The series ends with JoJo sacrificing her chance at becoming human once again in order to save Mortuana from being put to death by peasants. For her part, Mortuana willingly giving up the throne to become a candlemaker. The two settle in to live together in a humble cottage, only for them to quickly succumb to tedium as Mortuana vows to regain her throne and JoJo will once again seek out a way to break her curse.
Cast and characters
[edit]- Aidy Bryant
- Alex Moffat
- Andrea Martin
- Antoni Porowski
- Audra McDonald
- Bob the Drag Queen
- Bobby Berk
- Carol Kane
- Chris Redd
- Emily Lynne as JoJo
- Esther Perel
- Heidi Gardner
- Jonathan Van Ness
- Karamo Brown
- Kate McKinnon as Queen Mortuana
- Meryl Streep
- Peter Dinklage
- Steve Higgins
- Tan France
- Tim Gunn[12]
Reception
[edit]Audiofile called the podcast "Smart, snarky, and silly" while also praising the acting of Carol Kane.[13] AfterEllen's review was also favorable, stating that it was "highly digestible" and highlighting McKinnon's performance.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Holloway, Daniel (April 11, 2019). "Kate McKinnon on Her Audible Fantasy-Comedy Series 'Heads Will Roll'". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ Holloway, Daniel (April 11, 2019). "Kate McKinnon on Her Audible Fantasy-Comedy Series 'Heads Will Roll'". Variety. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ Thorne, Will (March 5, 2019). "Audible Sets Premiere for Kate McKinnon's 'Heads Will Roll' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video to Produce 'Audio Only' Comedy Programs for Audible". February 19, 2019. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ Crandall, Kevin (August 31, 2022). "10 Great Podcasts Hosted By SNL Alumni". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "Four celebrity-narrated audiobooks to take in your summer suitcase". www.thesundaily.my. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ Atad, Corey (May 1, 2019). "Listen To The First Clip From Kate McKinnon And Emily Lynne's Audio Comedy Series 'Heads Will Roll'". ET Canada. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "Game of Thrones' Peter Dinklage is teaming up with Meryl Streep and Queer Eye's Fab Five for a new project". Digital Spy. February 19, 2019. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (May 2, 2019). "Hear Audra Mcdonald Sing in an Exclusive Excerpt From Audible's Heads Will Roll". Playbill. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "HEADS WILL ROLL by Kate McKinnon Read by Kate McKinnon Emily Lynne Meryl Streep Tim Gunn Peter Dinklage Queer Eyes Fab Five and a Full Cast | Audiobook Review". AudioFile Magazine. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ May 02, Lynette Rice; EDT, 2019 at 05:45 PM. "'SNL' star Kate McKinnon, sister Emily Lynne tease new Audible series 'Heads Will Roll'". EW.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "The 19 Most Anticipated Audiobooks of Spring 2019". pastemagazine.com. April 2, 2019. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "HEADS WILL ROLL by Kate McKinnon Read by Kate McKinnon Emily Lynne Meryl Streep Tim Gunn Peter Dinklage Queer Eyes Fab Five and a Full Cast | Audiobook Review". AudioFile Magazine. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ Heuchan, Claire (March 4, 2021). "Heads Will Roll: Kate McKinnon is Majestic in Audible Original Drama". AfterEllen.