New Podcast "Saigon" Explores Love and Conflict in Vietnam

"Saigon," a new scripted drama podcast produced by iHeartMedia's iHeartPodcasts, is set to premiere on April 22, 2026. The series, based on Anthony Grey's bestselling novel, features Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict in leading roles. Tran narrates the story, while Benedict voices Joseph, an American journalist who becomes embroiled in the tumultuous events of 20th-century Vietnam. The eight-episode series is a collaboration between Thoroughbred Studios, co-founded by media veterans Jeff Bewkes, Howard Stringer, and Jeremy Fox, and Goldhawk Productions.

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The narrative begins in 1936 French-colonial Saigon, where Joseph reunites with his childhood friend Paul, a French policeman, and meets Lan, a woman whose divided loyalties complicate their lives. As the story unfolds, it explores themes of love, betrayal, and shifting allegiances against the backdrop of significant historical events, including World War II, Japanese occupation, and the Vietnam War. The series aims to illustrate how personal stories are intertwined with larger historical forces.

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Both Tran and Stringer have personal ties to the narrative. Tran's parents were refugees from Vietnam, separated from their families for over two decades. She expressed that her family's experience influenced her connection to the story, stating, “I see my parents as heroes, much like the people you’ll meet in this drama.” Stringer, who was drafted to Vietnam shortly after arriving in the U.S., remarked on the powerful memories the project evokes for him, describing it as a “great adventure” that shaped his life.

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Directed by John Scott Dryden, "Saigon" was recorded in Ho Chi Minh City, which Dryden noted was essential for capturing the spirit of the drama. He emphasized the importance of working with local talent and music to create an authentic atmosphere. The podcast is part of a broader initiative by iHeartPodcasts and Thoroughbred Studios to produce historical narratives, following their previous project, "Buzz: The Man & The Moon," featuring John Lithgow.

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Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, highlighted the podcast's potential to resonate with audiences, stating, “Great storytelling has the power to transport listeners and bring history to life in a deeply personal way.” Tran and Benedict both expressed their enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its human elements amidst the historical context.

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While the podcast has generated excitement, some critics may question the portrayal of historical events and the potential for dramatization to overshadow factual accuracy. However, no specific dissenting viewpoints have been reported at this time.

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Listeners can expect new episodes of "Saigon" to be released weekly on the iHeartRadio app and other major podcast platforms, beginning April 22, 2026. The series promises to weave together personal and historical narratives, inviting audiences to engage with the complexities of love and conflict in Vietnam.

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• “My parents came to the United States as refugees from Vietnam and were separated from their own parents for more than two decades,” — Kelly Marie Tran, Narrator

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• “It may be set in the past, but it’s really about people caught in forces much bigger than themselves, trying to hold on to love, identity and truth as the world shifts around them,” — Rob Benedict, Voice of Joseph

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• “Just six weeks after arriving in America, I was drafted and sent to Vietnam,” — Howard Stringer, Executive Producer

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