Kelsey Grammer narrates the neo-noir-esque mystery, which kicks off iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media’s production and content partnership
Listen to the official trailer here
NEW YORK – July 13, 2021 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to podtrac, and Will Packer Media, a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company led by record-breaking Hollywood producer Will Packer, today debuted “The Lower Bottoms,” a new scripted and shadowy podcast series told through the voices that make-up a quickly gentrifying neighborhood in West Oakland, California. The ten-episode series is the first production from the recently-announced partnership between the two companies, which will introduce a slate of original scripted and unscripted podcasts to the iHeartPodcast Network. The official trailer for “The Lower Bottoms” is available today, with the first episode launching July 20 on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms.
Narrated by legendary actor Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier), the new series centers on intensifying tensions in the Bay Area’s Lower Bottoms, where newcomers and natives clash amid a troubling rise of vandalism and arson. Each episode of the narrative podcast inches closer to revealing the perpetrator of these crimes, though discovering their identity turns out to be anything but simple. Along the way, listeners will be enveloped by the sounds that define West Oakland: the call of train horns and ships arriving at the port, iconic jazz music and the words of outspoken activists. The show was created and written by Dominique Mouton, and produced by Will Packer, James Lopez, Joelle Monique for iHeartRadio and Jack Levy, who also directed the series.
The iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media partnership builds on the success of the true crime podcast “Fight Night,” which launched October 2020. Now, with “The Lower Bottoms,” the two companies are bringing listeners into a whole new world of conspiracies, mystery and intrigue.
"When writer/creator Dominique Mouton and director/producer Jack Levy sent me the pitch materials and proof of concept audio for ‘The Lower Bottoms’ I was hooked,” said James Lopez, President of Will Packer Productions. “Dominique's writing is vivid and colorful and easily translated to the audio format. The amazing cast we were able to put together was a testament to the material. We are fortunate to have found this great piece as our first narrative podcast and are excited to partner with iHeartMedia to introduce it to listeners everywhere."
“I can’t think of a better show to kick off our partnership with Will Packer Media than ‘The Lower Bottoms,’” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “The series offers a little bit of everything: compelling characters, surprising twists, dark comedy and, of course, the legendary talents of Kelsey Grammer guiding us through the unmistakable atmosphere of the Bay Area. We’re excited for listeners to experience this richly-realized world and hear the stories its characters have to tell.”
In addition to Grammer’s narration, the cast of “The Lower Bottoms” includes a number of other well-known Hollywood performers. Ryan Destiny (Star, Flint Strong, Oracle) plays Rebecca, an outspoken social justice activist with a secret backstory; Theo Rossi (Army of the Dead, Sons of Anarchy, Luke Cage) is Lenny, a boisterous cafe owner with a chip on his shoulder; Annie Ilonzeh (Peppermint, Person of Interest, Chicago Fire) lends her voice to Beulah, a confident but reserved young woman looking to find her way; and Omar Dorsey (Queen Sugar, Genius) is Pastor Green, a Baptist minister with connections across the community. These characters — and more — cross paths in sudden and unexpected ways as the story of “The Lower Bottoms'' unfolds.
“The Lower Bottoms” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. Listeners can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to the official trailer today on their favorite device.
About Will Packer Media
Led by Hollywood producer Will Packer, Will Packer Media is a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company focused on the New American Mainstream audience. In partnership with Discovery, Inc. and Universal Pictures, the company produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, compelling content for brand clients, and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Will Packer’s films have earned more than $1 billion, with ten opening at number one at the box office.