“Haven Falls,” the new audio drama series created and executive produced by Casey S. Hutchison (“Forever and a Day”), has announced the recasting of a pivotal character with soap alum Jeff Branson (“The Young and the Restless,” “All My Children”).
Though the show isn’t set to premiere until Thursday, June 25, 2026, Branson will replace actor Nick Kretz as Lucas Hale, the son of businessman Victor Hale, the ruthless, unforgettable patriarch whose influence reaches into every corner of the fictional Haven Falls. Episodes featuring Branson begin airing in July.
With Branson joining the cast, the actor reunites with his former “Guiding Light” co-star Frank Dicopoulos, who plays the elder Hale. On the long-running CBS soap opera, which concluded in 2009 after 57 years on TV and 72 years overall, combining TV and radio. Branson portrayed Shayne Lewis, while Dicopoulos appeared as Frank Cooper on the soap opera.
In 2009, Branson netted his first Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his work on “Guiding Light.” He also received nominations in the same category for every soap opera he has appeared in, including a 2005 nomination for his role as Jonathan Lavery on “All My Children” and a 2013 nomination for his portrayal of Ronan Malloy on “The Young and the Restless.”
Set in a fictional Midwestern town where everyone has a secret, and loyalty is always up for sale, “Haven Falls” follows two warring families locked in a relentless battle for control, legacy, and survival. As the story unfolds, buried sins resurface, and alliances fracture, love
becomes dangerous, truth becomes weaponized, and no one escapes unscathed.
Blending the tradition of classic daytime drama with the freedom and intimacy of audio storytelling, listeners will be introduced to the town of Haven Falls, where love is leverage, families battle against enemies, and no secret stays buried for long.
“This is soap opera in its purest form,” said Hutchison, announcing the series in March. “Big emotions. Moral gray areas. And consequences from actions that will ripple for generations.”
Joining Dicopoulos and Branson as series regulars are fan-favorite performers from “Forever and a Day,” including Elizabeth von Isser, Kristina Sullivan, Benjamin Bryant, BJ Van Griffin, Candice Mack and Ashley Stewart, among others.
Additional casting and storyline information are expected to be announced in the days and weeks leading up to the show’s premiere. Additionally, veteran podcast producer, actor and writer Galen Roberts (“Forever and a Day,” “Heritage”) has signed on as associate producer.
Distributed by Spotify for Creators, the 15-episode series will see weekly episode drops across all major podcast platforms, with full episodes available on the show’s official YouTube channel.
Check out a clip from the show’s opening credits below.
Check out a new trailer for the show below, highlighting the two rival families.