Richard Dresser's 'It Happened Here' Comes to Life as Podcast

By
Cristóbal Riego
October 18, 2024

Adjunct Assistant Professor Richard Dresser has adapted his 2020 novel It Happened Here into a six-part podcast series being released weekly through the end of October. The audio drama, titled It Happened Here 2024, is described as an "audio documentary from the future" and features a star-studded cast including John Turturro, Edie Falco, and Tony Shalhoub.

The podcast presents a cautionary tale about an American family in 2039 looking back on the 15 years following the 2024 election. It explores a potential future where fascism has taken hold in the United States, examining the personal and political consequences for the country and its citizens.

“As we march toward our date with destiny on November 5, our greatest challenge is alerting people to the very real consequences if the election goes the wrong way,” Dresser said. “A friend recently said with a shrug, ‘If Trump wins, it’s only four years.’ But it’s not.”

Dresser, who teaches in the Film Program at Columbia University School of the Arts, originally published It Happened Here as a novel in 2020. The book was praised for its prescient and alarming account of a nation's potential political transformation. Now, with the podcast adaptation, Dresser aims to reach a wider audience and make a timely impact ahead of the November 5 election.

“The stakes are immeasurably higher now, but the message remains the same,” Dresser said. “Once democracy is gone, it’s nearly impossible to get it back.”

The cast also includes Molly Babos, Molly Carden, Santino Fontana, Luke Kirby, Tom Pecinka, and Marianne Rendon. Joe Cacaci directs the series, with Jess Hackel serving as Senior Producer. The podcast features original music by Jared Paul and sound design by Justin Kaupp and Bob Pomann.

It Happened Here 2024 continues Dresser's tradition of engaging with political and social issues through his work. Dresser's plays have been produced in New York, regional theater, and Europe, including works such as Rounding Third and Below the Belt. He has worked extensively in television and film, and serves as President of the Writers Guild Initiative.

New episodes appear every Wednesday through October 30 on WNYC's ON THE MEDIA podcast feed and on all major podcast platforms.