iHeartPodcasts Debuts ''Saigon'' Fiction Series

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 2:50pm CT

Saigon

iHeartPodcasts, Thoroughbred Studios and Goldhawk Productions have announced the launch of "Saigon," a new scripted fiction podcast set against the backdrop of 20th-century Vietnam.

Based on the bestselling novel by Anthony Grey, the series is narrated by Kelly Marie Tran and also stars Rob Benedict. The podcast marks the second release in a slate of historical audio dramas developed through the partnership between iHeartPodcasts and Thoroughbred Studios.

Premiering April 22, "Saigon" follows an American journalist who becomes entangled in a complex world of love, political upheaval and shifting loyalties during the waning days of French colonial rule and the early stages of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The story weaves personal narratives with major historical events, offering a dramatized portrayal of a country and its people during a turbulent era.

Tran said her family's history as Vietnamese refugees informed her connection to the project, noting the story's themes of separation and resilience. Benedict added that the series explores how individuals navigate forces larger than themselves, blending an epic scope with personal storytelling.

The podcast is part of an ongoing collaboration backed by media executives including Jeff Bewkes, Howard Stringer and Jeremy Fox, aimed at producing premium historical audio content.

Directed by John Scott Dryden, the production was recorded in Ho Chi Minh City to enhance authenticity through local talent and environments.

"Saigon" will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts, with new episodes released weekly on Wednesdays via the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms.