Montecito

🎧 Montecito is a modern-day audio soap opera — think Dynasty meets Big Little Lies — written and performed exclusively for audio. 💥 The first 10 binge-worthy episodes are streaming now. Subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts — and escape into the drama today.

In this episode of Montecito: After Sunset, we sit down with Chelsea Rendon, who brilliantly brought the narcissistic and complex Mina Rast-Granville to life. Chelsea opens up about humanizing Mina without ever judging her—and how she approached some of the most shocking moments of the series, including Episode 10’s explosive paternity reveal that rocked the world of Montecito. We also chat about...

This week on Montecito After Sunset: Episode 9 – Actor Peter Porte sits down to talk about playing Deacon Granville in the audio soap opera Montecito. Peter shares his thoughts on Deacon’s emotional journey, including the heartfelt scenes where he opens up to Diego and Bradley about his sexuality. We also break down Episode 9, “Collection of Secrets and Lies,” and the explosive secrets that change...

A secret storm rolls into Montecito… and with it, secrets long buried begin to surface. Gio (Marc Anthony Samuel) hosts a surprise dinner in Deacon’s honor (Peter Porte), but tensions bubble beneath the surface as old wounds, fresh betrayals, and unspoken truths simmer among the guests. Helena (Crystal Chappell) tries to hold the family together, but when Mina (Chelsea Rendon) crashes the dinner,...

This week on Montecito After Sunset: Episode 8 - We’re joined by actor and producer Mike Manning, who plays the complex JJ Roman in the hit audio soap opera Montecito. We dive into how Mike found JJ’s emotional core, his dynamic with his sister Bethany Gina (played by Emme Rylan), and the volatile romance with Mina (Chelsea Rendon). Mike also opens up about his experience filming CBS’s Beyond the...

Deacon (Peter Porte) shocks Diego (Jake Getman) and Bradley (Vincent Irizarry) with a painful confession that could tear their family apart. JJ (Mike Manning) makes a difficult decision—just as a mysterious new name enters the mix: Marcos Medici. Meanwhile, Bethany Gina (Emme Rylan) opens up about the emotional cost of her ambition.  Elsewhere, Mina (Chelsea Rendon) plays a dangerous game of manip...

Deacon (Peter Porte) turns to Gio (Marc Anthony Samuel) for support ahead of his major pitch to the Santa Barbara Waterfront Commission, leading to a long-awaited emotional breakthrough between them. A deeply personal moment changes everything. Meanwhile, Helena (Crystal Chappell) and Bradley (Vincent Irizarry) trade barbs and affection on the golf course, revisiting their rocky past and uncertain...

This week on Montecito After Sunset: Episode 7 - We’re joined by the incredible Crystal Chappell, who plays the fierce and formidable Helena Granville-Belasco.  We break down Episode 7’s chaotic family brunch, where we finally meet Diego and see Helena reflect on her complicated history with Bradley. Crystal shares her take on Helena’s evolving role as the family matriarch and how old wounds resur...

Tensions boil over as Diego (Jake Getman) confronts his father, Deacon (Peter Porte) battles inner turmoil, and Mina’s grip on JJ (Chelsea Redon and Mike Manning) raises alarms. Breakfast turns bitter when old wounds reopen between Deacon, his son Diego, and his estranged father Bradley (Vincent Irizarry). Meanwhile, Bethany Gina (Emme Rylan) confronts Mina about JJ’s spiraling addiction, and Gio...

This week on Montecito After Sunset: Episode 6 - The distance between JJ and Bethay Gina echoes—literally—while Gio and Deacon’s fragile reunion ends with a heartbreaking separation. Mina turns up the heat, provoking Bethany Gina, but even her plans can’t stop Gio from making a fateful decision. Plus, the Santa Barbara Wharf Revitalization project adds new layers to the show’s real estate power ga...

As JJ (Mike Manning) demands full control over the Santa Barbara Wharf revitalization project, Bethany Gina (Emme Rylan) questions his motives. Meanwhile, Gio (Marc Anthony Samuel) spirals after confronting the truth about his rekindled romance with Deacon (Peter Porte)… and the very real obstacles between them. Their passionate reunion unravels in heartbreaking fashion, just as Mina (Chelsea Rend...

Marc Anthony Samuel shares his process for creating a backstory for Gio Carreri, a character shrouded in mystery and how he approached Gio’s emotional depth and complexity. Writers and creators Grant Rutter and Andrew Pemberton Fowler join the conversation to dive into their storytelling choices, how music shapes the atmosphere, and the collaborative process behind this immersive audio experience....

The Regalton Boardroom becomes a battlefield as Mina (Chelsea Rendon) confronts Bethany Gina (Emme Rylan) with bold demands and buried resentments—threatening to reveal the shocking truth behind her rise to power involving JJ (Mike Manning). Meanwhile, Deacon (Peter Porte) seeks comfort in Gio’s (Marc Anthony Samuel) arms at the luxurious Pleasant View Resort, but their bliss is tested by old woun...

Go behind the scenes of Montecito to explore how sound design drives drama, power, and emotion. From Bradley Belasco’s (Vincent Irizarry) debut to Helena's (Crystal Chappell) garden atmosphere, discover how we use audio to build tension, reveal loyalties, and shape character. We break down key scenes—like the boardroom drama between Bethany Gina (Emme Rylan) and Mina, and the chaos of Episode 1’s...

Mina (Chelsea Rendon) and JJ (Mike Manning) navigate a fragile truce as she offers support ahead of an emergency board meeting—though her loyalty is anything but clear. Bradley (Vincent Irizarry) and Bethany Gina (Emme Rylan) strategize over Regalton’s future, while Helena (Crystal Chappell) pushes Deacon (Peter Porte) to choose Gio (Marc Anthony Samuel) over Mina. As Deacon grapples with family o...

Go behind the scenes of episode three of Montecito in this deep dive into toxic marriages, emotional power plays, and character-driven storytelling. We unpack Deacon’s strained performance as the perfect husband, Mina’s manipulative tactics with Bethany Gina, and her vulnerable moment with her comatose father. Submit your questions on Facebook and in the YouTube comments Like MONTECITO on Facebook...

The morning after brings no peace. At the hospital, Deacon (Peter Porte) and JJ (Mike Manning) trade barbs while Mina (Chelsea Rendon) and Deacon’s crumbling marriage is laid bare behind closed doors. As tensions rise, Deacon walks away—leaving Mina to fight for control alone. Bethany Gina (Emme Rylan) returns to Montecito, warning JJ of a looming board revolt, while Mina draws strength from her c...

In this behind-the-scenes dive, we pick up right where the chaos of Episode 1 left off. Helena kicks Mina out, and we get into the layered dynamic between these two powerhouses — including candid conversations about crafting Mina. We also unpack Deacon and Gio’s tender, tentative reconnection: fidgety moments and that subtle, emotional score. From tasers to titles (“Mrs. Deacon Granville” anyone?)...

Step inside the elevator—because in Montecito, everyone’s trying to go up. In this behind-the-scenes episode, we pull back the curtain on the glamorous chaos of Montecito, where family drama simmers beneath polished smiles. Episode 1unfolds in real time, capturing the tension of a public event where everyone’s on their best behavior... or at least pretending to be. Plus, we dive into Gio’s dramati...

The fallout from the fire alarm rings louder than the sirens. Helena (Crystal Chappell) and Mina (Chelsea Rendon) face off in a brutal confrontation. Meanwhile, Deacon (Peter Porte) and Gio (Marc Anthony Samuel) seek quiet refuge by the fire, where old wounds resurface and buried truths come to light. As they explore the path not taken, secrets smolder—about fatherhood, identity, and the cost of s...

The Pleasant View Resort and Beach Club throws open its doors with fanfare and secrets just beneath the surface. As Helena (Crystal Chappell) proudly ushers in a new chapter of her family's legacy, her son Deacon (Peter Porte) plays the part of devoted husband alongside the ambitious Mina (Chelsea Rendon). But behind the smiles, an affair burns hot with JJ (Mike Manning), grudges simmer, and a sur...

Starting April 22, 2025, prepare for a reimagining of the audio soap opera. Episodes will release weekly on Tuesdays on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Subscribe now and step into a world where everyone has something to hide... and everything to lose. Character Guide: Crystal Chappell as Helena Granville-Belasco, a strong willed mother who’s not afraid to get her hands dirty to protect her fami...

Welcome to Montecito. A dark paradise where shattered romances, hidden family secrets, scandalous affairs hide behind manicured hedges and the shadows of towering palm trees. Inspired by the golden age of American radio dramas, Montecito blends classic soap with the modern audio drama genre —where love is currency, legacy is everything, and trust is the most dangerous game of all. Starting April 2...