I spoke with Emmy-winning actress and serial storytelling pioneer Crystal Chappell to talk about her role in Montecito and why this format — audio first — feels like homecoming for soaps.
Unlike traditional TV, Montecito was recorded entirely over Zoom. Chappell told us that the experience felt like being on a set — complete with direction and the kind of rehearsal energy that soap actors eat for breakfast. Her character, a wealthy, complicated matriarch fiercely loyal to her son, had her playing deep emotional beats with no visual cues — a challenge she embraced by focusing intensely on listening and reacting.
But what really stands out isn’t just the logistics of production — it’s Chappell’s insistence that Montecito feels soapy in all the right ways. Glamour, drama, intrigue — she likened it to the rhythm and spectacle of classic shows like Santa Barbara. And for fans who grew up on visuals? Audio lets you carry that soap world with you — whether you’re walking the dog or stuck in traffic.
Read the full interview with Crystal Chappell here.
Why This Matters
Audio drama isn’t brand-new — soaps literally started there nearly a century ago. But what Montecito is doing feels like a bridge: classic soap sensibilities meeting a format built for the way we live now. That’s not nostalgia — that’s evolution.Whether you’re a die-hard veteran of the genre or just curious about storytelling that won’t let you switch off, this series is worth a listen.
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