Long time listener, first time killer. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

The crime-thriller Long Time Listener premieres April 2nd, 2026 on AMC’s ALLBLK Network, part of a multi-film distribution agreement with producer-distributor GreenApple Entertainment, known for an extensive library of movies with multi-cultural casts and strong female leads.

Pulse-pounding from its opening scene, this noir-esque thriller marks the directorial debut of Danielle Nicolet (The Flash, Central Intelligence), who also stars as Elle. Balancing stylish tension with character-driven suspense, Nicolet proves as confident behind the camera as she is in front of it.

Produced by Joe Narode (Shamed, Pardoned by Grace), the film also stars Meagan Holder (Monarch, Pitch) as Genesis; Lyriq Bent (She’s Gotta Have it, Tyler Perry’s Acrimony) as Carter; Cleo Berry as Max; Lisha Wheeler as Ruby; and featuring a cameo by Torrei Hart (Atlanta Exes).

When a true-crime podcaster becomes the target of a mysterious “long time listener,” fame quickly turns deadly. Pulled into a web of secrets that grow darker by the minute, she faces long-buried truths that blur the line between storyteller and victim … and raises one terrifying question: Who’s really in control of the story?

I sat down with Danielle and we discussed everything about the movie along with her time on the set of The Flash, what her upcoming plans were, and, amongst other things, what her thoughts on penguins are!

Having just watched Long Time Listener, for about 90% of the movie your character Elle isn’t on screen all that much, but that soon changes at the end, so was your lack of screen time down to concentrating more on your directing duties, perhaps? - “I wouldn’t say that. It was just a matter of that being how the script was laid out. Elle was a really fun character for me to play and the fact that she had a bit less screen time than the other leads at the top of the film did free me up to focus solely on directing on the days that I wasn’t in front of the camera as well.”

And being that this was your first feature-length directorial debut, what did you quickly learn on set that you hadn’t considered beforehand? - “So much! Directing requires a level of knowledge of every department on a film set, as well as the responsibility of ensuring that all of those departments are working in alignment with your vision for the film. I’d say the thing that surprised me the most was how supported I felt by the crew! I didn’t realize, beforehand, just how much everyone wants your vision to be achieved for the film to be great. It was heartening, inspiring and just made me want to work even harder for them.”

And with that regard, was there any real life prep you had to undertake to be Elle and her role within a station broadcasting such podcasts? - “Given that we don’t see Elle recording her podcast in the film I wouldn’t say that I had to do too much prep there. However, the film spends a great deal of time with Genesis and the “Something to Stalk About” podcast. As director I spent a lot of time in prep listening to true crime podcasts and honing in on the tone, vibe and tenor that I wanted to bring to it. I enjoyed the process.”

How much of you in real life was portrayed within Elle?! - “Hmmm, I don’t want to give away anything about the mystery that unfolds in the film but I suppose I can say that Elle has been through a lot and that makes her a very empathetic and intuitive person. She prides herself on being a girl’s girl and is quick to offer a hand in friendship and I think all of those things apply to me as well.”

Indeed, what did you learn about the podcasting world from making this film that you didn’t know beforehand? And have you since dabbled in podcasting in real life? - “I’m a massive fan of podcasts … especially true crime podcasts. So, I got the pleasure of making a film that took place in a world that I already found fascinating. I’ve never dabbled in hosting but I’ve been a guest on many podcasts and it’s always a blast.”

Was everything we saw a stage set, or was some/all of it shot in real buildings? And if real, where were they located? - “All of the above! We shot all of the podcast and office scenes on soundstages at Center Studios in Baton Rouge, LA. Everywhere else were practical locations. Massive props to our amazing locations team who found those incredible houses, apartments and bars!”

I ask, with a smile, as the apartment where Genesis lived had some mighty tall, stacked cupboard spaces by the front door that would have needed some mighty tall ladders to get to the top of! - “I’ll be happy to put you in touch with the locations crew to investigate further!”

OK, back to the film itself and the opening is very Scream-esque so was that done as a purposeful homage by the writers, perhaps? - “Definitely a question that John Doolan and Joe Narode could answer better than I. What I can say is, like Scream, I think most good thrillers open with a shock to the system that really makes you invest in taking the ride all the way to the end. John and Joe did an amazing job of that!”

There were times when I couldn’t grasp every word being said on the voice modulator by the killer, so I was wondering how many different modulator tests were done before you landed on that one? - “Hmmm, I’m not sure how many tests were done, per se … but we really wanted the modulated voice to sound like a child’s toy. Something low tech that the killer could’ve picked up anywhere. As for who was the voice on the other end I’m going to refrain from answering (I neither confirm nor deny!) who’s voice it was as that would give away the ending!”

As we are not called Exclusive Magazine for nothing, can you please reveal a few behind-the-scenes secrets of things we might not have seen the first time, or not fully realize how some scenes were actually done in a certain way? - “If you give the film a second watch you’ll see that the script has many little hints hidden in dialogue and I had a lot of fun hiding clues in plain sight for the audience! I really wanted the movie to be a mystery on the first watch and a game on the second.”

Do you know if it was always going to be titled Long Time Listener, given there had been two (2) other films titled that before it? And if not, what were other choices being suggested? - “That’s definitely a question that’s above my pay grade. I didn’t have any say in the title of the film.”

When did you actually film this - and when it came to your roles of Director and Actor, which turned out to be the most fulfilling? - “We shot the film in September 2025. I’ve been an actor for such a long time. I love it and love the craft so much that it’s my safe space. It doesn’t scare me. Directing was a terrifying thrill ride full of twists and turns that made me want to come back for more! It was one of the most challenging and most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.”

Have you since watched the completed film back with all the visuals, sound effects and score now added and if so, what were your thoughts on the whole cinematic experience and your own acting/directing choices within it? Indeed, can you ever watch yourself back without being overly self-critical each time? - “I’ve never been one to watch myself on screen. You’re right, it’s really hard not to be super self critical. As director, I had to shake that off and focus on making directing, acting, editing and post-production choices that painted the whole picture in the strongest way and I’m super proud of what we were able to accomplish!”

“We were working with an extremely tight budget and shooting schedule and I made it my mission for none of that to show on the screen. Fortunately, I had an amazing cast, crew and producers to support me in that goal. The work that Jonathan Knosp did with post-production is outstanding. His edit, music and sound design give it an exceptional production value. When you combine his work with Joe Narode’s script and my cinematographer Davïd Asambadze’s gorgeous visuals you get a movie worth celebrating.”

Did you take anything from the set to be able to remember the shoot, perhaps? - “No!!! I was boarding my flight back to LA after wrap and realized, “Dammit! I should’ve kept Elle’s podcast poster!” That would’ve been a fun keepsake.”

What is, mentally, something that you took away from this movie and its subject matter? - “That, like most women, I’m tougher than I look!”

Will there be a sequel to Long Time Listener? Like, I’m Still Listening?! - “Ha! GREAT TITLE! I don’t know but I sure hope so!”

It would be very remiss of me if, whilst I have you, I didn’t ask a couple of questions about your TV role as Cecile Horton (Virtue) in The Flash, where you played that character 108 times (inclusive of a turn in Supergirl) - reflecting back to those years, they must have been a lot of fun, but long days on set too, one imagines? - “The long days are just the price of doing business, so to speak. I was so fortunate to have many years of a great show and even greater friendships. Totally worth a little sleep deficit!”

By the time you were getting towards the 100 appearances mark, how much of you (as Danielle) were we seeing in Cecile ... and then, turning it around, when you stopped playing that character, back in your everyday life how much of Cecile’s/Virtue’s telepathy and empathy was still there in the things you would say and try to do in real life? - “I think Cecile and I share a very strong sense of right and wrong and certainly an empathic nature. I didn’t have an easy upbringing and I think that tends to make a person quite sensitive to what others experience. I certainly share Cecile’s instincts to be a nurturer.”

And when it was done, did you manage to take away anything from her character’s home and/or life that we would have seen when watching? Like, maybe even one of her costumes?! - “Yes! In the final episodes there’s a crayon drawing that Jenna does of Cecile in her supersuit. I took that drawing and have it framed in my office.”

And so what is next for you on either TV or the big screen? Have you anything upcoming you have already filmed or are about to step into, perhaps? - “I have a film called, “The Life of Me” being released this summer and a couple other projects upcoming. It’s an exciting 2026 already!”

Lastly, and yes, we ask everyone this very same question (as we are putting together a kids book about them to aid the Alzheimer’s Association), we here at Exclusive Magazine LOVE penguins, and so do you have any affection for them and maybe even a personal story involving one growing up (or at any stage of life), perhaps? - “I do! When I was little I was obsessed with the cartoon character Chilly Willy The Penguin. I LOVED that he cried ice cubes! To this day when I’m cold I say, “I’m chilly willy.” I even had a stuffed Chilly Willy that I slept with!”

Interviewed by: Russell A. Trunk

Danielle Nicolet @ Facebook

www.jenaemanagementfirm.com