Press kit
What is The Madness of Chartrulean?
The Madness of Chartrulean (TMoC) is a full cast science fantasy audio drama about a troubled messiah who must reconcile with those he’s hurt and the gods he’s angered before succumbing to the madness he created.
Lovers of Dune and Game of Thrones will enjoy this series. It is intended for an adult audience as it deals with themes of anxiety, trauma, and physical and mental abuse. However, the content is safe for listeners of all ages.
The story
Chartrulean has been gifted with an extraordinary mind. Because of his significance to Arcas’ religious authority, the Jhardeho Order, he was born into a messianic role he did not want. His ultimate rejection of that role led to his exile. But a threat to his world called him back.
In order to save Arcas, Chartrulean ushers in a new era that embraces abominable technology—the kind that makes men lust for power. At the heart of his technology is a mysterious cosmic energy called azurea, and nine prototype warships designed to harness it.
The Nine pause an interstellar war, forcing a diplomatic solution. A fraught political landscape now lies ahead, and being the “most powerful man on Arcas” isn’t something Chartrulean is equipped to handle.
Broken and full of doubt, Chartrulean seeks balance in a friend from his past, the boy he saved, and the woman he loves. Will the Age of Azurea be Arcas’ rebirth, or humanity’s downfall?
Episodes
SEASON 1
There are 13 episodes in season 1 with an average runtime of 35min.
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RT 36min
Arcas trembles in the wake of a cataclysm that pauses an intergalactic war with the Rau. The planet's leaders clamber to receive the Rau's envoy while sweeping any signs of civil unrest under the rug. All the while, strange cosmic forces are at work, warning of impending doom. Chartrulean receives a curious gift and prepares to enter a fraught political landscape.
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RT 37min
Chartrulean begrudgingly endures the Starbringer banquet. Yoba introduces him to some of Simitu’s prominent figures, including the Starbringer family itself. King Starbringer kicks off the Age of Azurea in spectacular fashion.
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RT 37min
Chartrulean gets a taste of the civilian plight. Havelion frets over King Starbringer’s arrival and intentions. King Starbringer declares Astreus a sanctuary for the Jhardekai. Admiral Lapadine hosts a summit where the future of azurea research hangs in the balance.
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RT 39min
Following Lapadine’s summit, King Starbringer commissions a special ship for Sophrosyne. Negotiations with the Rau begin as King Starbringer reflects on defining moments in his own leadership. Yoba plays a dangerous game with the Rau.
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RT 40 min
Sophrosyne remembers the strange letter left by her late mother and grapples with feelings of inadequacy. Chartrulean’s anxiety spirals out of control after the day’s disastrous events.
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RT - 28min
Sophrosyne makes a pitch. Cythaelia is given a crash course in Astreus’ innovative new wearable tech. A new political foe enters the arena.
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RT - 35min
Yoba reminisces about meeting Chartrulean as students at Idrica Seminary. Sophrosyne and Chartrulean have a disagreement. King Starbringer, Yoba, Lapadine and Chartrulean discuss Arcas’ past, present, and future.
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TR - 35min
Yoba confronts Chartrulean about his passive behavior with the Starbringers. Josquin puts on a show for not being invited to the banquet. Chartrulean finds himself on uncertain terms with his protege while grappling with the implications of losing his “superman.”
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RT - 34min
The Rau unfurl their nefarious plan, and Cydar is left in critical condition. Yoba confronts Imsep about his “friends” while Loam suffers a mysterious infliction. Sophrosyne barges into Astreus to put some closure to her and Chartrulean’s disagreements. Havelion asks a favor.
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RT TBD
Chartrulean suffers a gruesome nightmare before seeking out an old friend. While searching for answers about Sophrosyne’s lineage, he finds only more questions. Imsep goes to enjoy his favorite drink.
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RT TBD
The mysterious Dr. Fillion finally surfaces. Chartrulean finds Nicola wandering in strange places. Imsep storms the Jhardeho temple while Loam delivers a message. Sophrosyne finally opens up to Chartrulean about the strange recurring dream she’s been having.
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RT TBD
King Starbringer spirals as the Rau drag out the negotiation process. The Rau visit the Jhardeho Temple and set new schemes in motion. Sophrosyne falters under the pressure of the tasks put before her by Havelion and Lapadine. Astreus receives a surprise visitor.
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RT TBD
Astreus is put into a tailspin with the arrival of a new visitor. Sophrosyne takes the mystery of her dream into her own hands. Havelion confronts Chartulean about the future of Astreus.
Trailer
The Production Journey
TMoC pulls inspiration from Shakespearean tragedy, dark fantasy such as The Dark Crystal, cerebral sci-fi like Dune, and complex interwoven narratives and well developed characters as seen in Game of Thrones. All these influences have shaped a story that examines the definition of human progress through its use, or misuse, of technology.
To pull this off, Radcliff employed over 50 diverse voice actors from all over the world.
The scripts for two seasons were completed in 2020 at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of its themes stemmed from Radcliff’s personal feelings toward what was happening in the world. In 2021, she began the casting process along with producer Julie Cunningham.
While most of the show was recorded remotely, a month of production took place in St. Louis, MO at T-REX. Several performances were recorded in-person, and there was a mixture of remote and local recording with over 20 cast members. St. Louis-based cast includes Kathleen Klein, Angela La Rocca Hochman, Abraham Shaw, and more.
Those responsible
H.M. RADCLIFF - CREATOR AND PRODUCER
TMoC is created by H.M. Radcliff, director of independent production company, Packhowl Media. The project was born out of a frustration. After more than fifteen years working in various aspects of film and video production, Radcliff had become exhausted by gate-keepers. It was time to take on a substantial project that was personal–one where bureaucracy and budgets couldn’t throw water on the creative fire. Podcasting seemed like the perfect outlet.
She wears the hats of writer, director, producer, editor, and sound designer for TMoC.
“I wanted to use this energy to make the show that I, as a listener, wanted to hear. A show with high production value that has all the characteristics of my favorite stories, and characters who are imperfect and relatable.”
Aud Andrews
VOICE ACTOR, CASTING
Aud Andrews is writer, composer, and AMBIES Award-nominated voice actor. He has brought a wide range of characters to life, including the conflicted lead protagonist of Packhowl’s The Madness of Chartrulean (summer 2022), Mitch Wheeler in The Waystation, and a suburban werewolf in Pinball Productions’ horror/thriller, Become.
“It is always a delight to be able to portray a character, like Chartrulean, who is cerebral and emotionally complex. Spending time in that headspace was both fascinating and cathartic.”
Aud Andrews was cast for the lead role of Chartrulean in April 2021. From day one, Aud was invested in bringing something special to the character, and the result is a performance that is dynamic and at times emotional.
Aud also jumped in to help with additional casting, introducing Magnus Carlssen, Shogo Miyakita, and more to the project. He has since become an integral member of Packhowl Media, going on to write and produce the short audio adventure Ruf ‘N’Tumbill as well as a full album, The Light Behind the Door.
Magnus Carlssen
VOICE ACTOR
After a self-described "mid-life crisis at 32" following the arrival of his second child, Magnus pivoted his life-long love of fantastical literature and movies, and a decade working behind the cinema camera, into a new frontier: the recording studio. The home-schooled son of an english major and a software engineer, Magnus' wholeheartedly earnest and down-to-earth mentality brings an easy approachability to his exploration of story and character.
“This is a character drama on a world-class scale, and can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with scripted fiction shows from Audible and the BBC. The caliber of execution that The Madness of Chartrulean delivers to its audience is a theater-worthy experience, and will satisfy both audiophiles and casual listeners alike.
As an actor, being handed a script with the depths and complexity of The Madness of Chartrulean is a rare gift. To be able to perform it alongside a worldwide cast of this caliber is the opportunity that every actor dreams of. The chemistry of the cast is immediately discernable within the opening minutes of the show.
The dimensions of character that H.M. Radcliff wrote in The Madness of Chartrulean are an imaginary playground for me as an actor - and I believe that in the same way, listeners will find that perhaps the most personal parts of the story are the ones that are not spoken aloud.”
Sean Renner
COMPOSER
Sean Renner is a composer and recording artist based in Los Angeles. His film and television credits include scoring the feature films “Screwdriver” (2022), “Spring” (2021), and “Double Down” (2020), as well as working as a music arranger, orchestrator, and virtual instrument/synth programmer on all three seasons of the Sky TV/Hulu television series “Das Boot”, nominated for 9 German Television Academy awards including “Best Music.” In 2019 Sean was nominated for a Jerry Goldsmith Award for the song “Underwater”, which he performed and co-composed for the feature film “The Tobacconist”.
As a solo recording artist, his music has been played on over 100 radio stations across the US, and has been featured in television series on networks including MTV and Germany’s ZDF. On stage, he has created an uncompromising loop-based performance having performed over 160 shows throughout the United States and Canada, in which he single-handedly brings to life the distinctive ethereal vocal stylings and electronic production he skillfully manicures on his records.
Sean joined TMoC as composer in October 2021, elevating the show’s rich sound world. The soundtrack is comprised of several distinctive themes, and features the performances of the Invoke String Quartet, recorded in Austin, TX at 12th Street Sound.
Credits
Collaborators
H.M. Radcliff
Writing, directing, producing, editing and sound design
Edward Calvey
Technical coordination, Sound mix
Will Fox
Sound Design
Julie Cunningham
Associate Producer and casting
Aud Andrews
Casting
Lily Kowalski
Site Design
Christian Collado
Writing assistance
Nick Price
Sound Mix (Episode 1)
Efi da Silva
Production support
Kathleen Klein
Production support
Haley Disterhoft
Sensitivity reader
Contributing artists
Anh Le
Adam Poole
Rayven Studios
Eric Hibbeler
Special Thanks
Steve Potter
Keith Nussbaum
Angela Dill
Srikant Chellappa
James McKelvey
Vicki Doerr
T. REX
Made possible by
Mary Harnetiaux
Judy Bagato
Judy Harnetiaux
Steve Heilmer
“I have lived through a certain set of experiences that have taught me that people don’t want to consume something that feels half done. Audiences want things to look, sound, and feel ‘real’, like they can trust it enough to give it the ultimate currency—their attention. I wanted the show to make a big budget impression, even though it is very much independent. Calling it a magnum opus feels a little too self-indulgent. It’s just something new to learn and grow from.”