Netflix Delves Into Podcasting To Promote True Crime Docuseries ‘Wormwood’

Netflix is continuing its diversification into audio mediums. The streaming giant has just launched a companion podcast for its latest true crime docuseries, the Errol Morris-directed Wormwood, which explores the mysterious death of a U.S. scientist in a secret Cold War mind-control program known as MK-Ultra.

The podcast, launched last Friday, digs deeper into the unsolved case — beyond the six episodes that launched on Netflix earlier this month, New York reports. It will feature appearances by Morris, Eric Olson (whose father, Frank, is at the center of the case), conspiracy expert Jon Ronson, and the actor Peter Sarsgaard (who stars in the docuseries as Frank in reenacted scenes). A total of three episodes are currently available for download on iTunes.

Netflix has ventured into other non-video mediums in the

past — mostly to bolster the promotion of high-profile shows. The streaming giant was on the lookout for a licensing executive earlier this year to oversee an expansion into books, comics, gaming, toys, collectibles, and soundtracks. Netflix already vends Stranger Things-themed merch at teen retailer Hot Topic. And in October, to herald the release of Stranger Things’ second season, the company released a mobile game.

Netflix also previously launched a podcast alongside its 2015 true crime docuseries Making A Murderer — a fitting foray given that the true crime phenomenon was reborn in 2014 on a podcast called Serial. Other popular true crime programming on Netflix includes Amanda Knox, The Keepers, and a true crime spoof called American Vandal.