As Stranger Things gears up for its fifth and final season, Caleb McLaughlin is stepping into a whole new kind of horror—this time, with his voice.
McLaughlin, best known for playing Lucas Sinclair in the hit Netflix series, is starring in and executive producing Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi, an immersive scripted podcast from QCODE for Audible. Set to debut May 29, the supernatural thriller pulls from Zimbabwean folklore and explores the collision of African American identity, ancestral grief, and ancient curses.
The story centers on the Wallace family, who travel from Detroit to Zimbabwe in hopes of reconnecting and healing after a devastating loss. But what begins as a luxury safari quickly descends into chaos when 17-year-old Dashon Wallace (McLaughlin) unknowingly disturbs a sacred burial ground. That act awakens the Mbirwi—a shape-shifting spirit charged with protecting the land from outsiders. Now, the family must fight to survive both the haunting force stalking them and the secrets unraveling within.
Created by Swan Song and Alex Rider actor Nyasha Hatendi, the podcast blends folklore and family drama into a gripping, atmospheric ride, available in Dolby Atmos for a fully immersive experience.
Kevin Carroll, Christina Elmore, Jessica Mikayla, Tongayi Chirisa, Charmaine Bingwa, Denise Khumalo, Sibongile Mlambo, Katherine McNamara, and Nomsa L. Mlambo and musical artists Tapiwa Mutingwende and Tendai Maduwa round out the cast.
“Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi is both a haunting thriller and thought-provoking cultural commentary,” said McLaughlin. “Dashon’s deeply personal journey explores themes of family and identity in a way I think will resonate with many people—all while taking them on an electrifying adventure.”
Hatendi added, “I’m thrilled to present a coming-of-age thriller rooted in Zimbabwean folklore that speaks to the relationship between Africa and the African American identity, and the meaning of love and family. I can’t wait for global audiences to experience this story.”
The podcast is the latest high-profile release for Audible, joining the ranks of 1984 (with Andrew Garfield and Cynthia Erivo), The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery, The Boar’s Nest, and The Safe Man.
Check out the trailer for Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi below.
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