True-crime podcast Wisecrack, winner of Podcast of the Year, is becoming a TV series from UCP, adapted by Severance's Eli Jorné.
- March 8, 2026
AceShowbiz - The acclaimed podcast Wisecrack, winner of the Ambie Award for Podcast of the Year in February, is moving toward a new platform as a scripted television series. Universal Studio Group's UCP has secured the rights to adapt the popular true-crime podcast, emerging victorious from a competitive bidding process.
Eli Jorné, known for his work on Severance and The Walking Dead: Dead City, will both adapt the podcast and serve as an executive producer on the TV adaptation. Alongside him, executive producers include Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund for Eat the Cat, Donald Albright and Payne Lindsey of Tenderfoot TV, Conal Byrne and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartMedia, as well as Jodi Tovay and Charles Forbes from Starwipe Productions. Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts originally produced the podcast, with Tovay credited as its producer.
The story of Wisecrack centers on comedian Edd Hedges, who returned to his English hometown for a charity performance, only to become embroiled in a terrifying night when a murderer began killing shortly after his set. The narrative follows Hedges’ harrowing journey from the stage to the courtroom and prison, culminating in a chilling return to where it all began.
In addition to Podcast of the Year, Wisecrack garnered Ambie Awards for Best Society and Culture Podcast, Best Production and Sound Design, and Best Nonfiction Scriptwriting. Meanwhile, Hedges and Tovay are currently touring live with the podcast, with upcoming shows scheduled in Nashville, Atlanta, and Austin over the next two weeks.
Gemma Levinson and Julia Monyak will oversee the television project on behalf of Eat the Cat.
Eli Jorné is also an executive producer on the third season of Apple TV’s Severance. His recent credits include creating and showrunning The Walking Dead: Dead City, as well as contributions to The Walking Dead, Starz’s Heels, and FX’s Wilfred.
Industry representation for the project includes UTA and Hansen Jacobson for Jorné, WME and Ginsburg Daniels for Antosca, UTA and The Nord Group for Tenderfoot TV, UTA for iHeartMedia, and Gersh for Starwipe Productions.
