Second Rodeo Announces First-Ever Musical Microdrama Series
LOS ANGELES – January 7, 2026 – Second Rodeo, the digital-first studio redefining serialized storytelling, today announced Playback, the first-ever musical produced specifically for vertical video. The series, which recently wrapped production, will premiere on HOLYWATER’s streaming app, My Drama, in early 2026.
Playback stars Amber Laird (Day Trip, Ratched) as Maddie Bryce, Royce Lundquist (Callsign Legacy, Queen of the Court) as Luke Rivers, Sophie Sumner (winner of America’s Next Top Model) as Clara Vance, Sarah Sampino (I Became Mrs Greyson by Bragging) as Bella, and comedian and internet personality Hannah Stocking, who has over 72 million followers across social platforms, as Samantha Stern.
The musical series follows Maddie Bryce, a struggling songwriter who secretly creates an AI version of herself that becomes a global pop sensation. As fame overtakes her digital double, Maddie must navigate the pressures of her dual life while reclaiming her voice and identity in a climactic musical finale about authenticity and courage.
"Microdramas represent the next evolution in short-form content, and creators are seeing the value and opportunity to reach new audiences in this format. By combining narrative depth with mobile-first vertical storytelling, we're pushing the boundaries of what a microdrama can be,” said Scott Brown, Founder and CEO of Second Rodeo. "We’re excited to continue innovating and building new formats, like Playback, that meet audiences where they already are - on their phones, demanding stories that hook them immediately."
Bogdan Nesvit and Anatolii Kasianov, HOLYWATER’s Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, said, “At HOLYWATER, our vision is to turn vertical series into a cinematic experience — expanding genres, raising production quality, and creating stories built for the way audiences watch today. Vertical series are the next frontier, and Playback is a perfect example of the innovation this format allows. Having worked with Scott before, we know how exceptional he is at creating series that resonate with millions of viewers around the world. We’re excited to see him and the incredible cast of Playback bring this must-see story to life.”
Playback comes off the heels of Second Rodeo's breakout success with its award-winning romantic thriller The Diamond Rose, which launched on My Drama in summer 2025. The series became one of the platform's most cinematic and popular titles, achieving 20 million views within the first 24 hours, and earned multiple awards at the International Short Drama Awards and LA Vertical Drama Market, demonstrating both the popularity of the format and the studio's ability to create highly engaging, short-form content that resonates with mobile audiences.
Playback is co-produced by Second Rodeo, 3Pas Studios, and Mexico City–based Visceral Productions. The series is led by Second Rodeo executive producers Scott Brown, who also directed the series, and Stacy Howard, alongside Javier Williams and Pablo Calasso. Co-executive producers include Brandon Carroll, Andrew Barcello, and Keith Knee, and producers Caroline Stella, Carmina Carballal, and Juan Pablo Caussin. Original songs for the series are written by veteran songwriter Keeley Bumford, known professionally as "Dresage."
About HOLYWATER
HOLYWATER is an AI-first tech company reshaping entertainment by pairing creators’ imagination with AI efficiency to bring stories to life and deliver them to global audiences. Its content platforms reach over 60 million users and include: My Drama, the #1 vertical streaming app among American and European companies; My Passion, the #1 independent digital book publishing platform among American and European companies; and My Muse, a leading platform for vertical series produced with the support of generative AI.
In October 2025, HOLYWATER secured a strategic investment from FOX Entertainment, partnering to produce a slate of 200+ premium vertical series for My Drama and accelerate the format’s global scale. In 2025, HOLYWATER was one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe.
About Second Rodeo
Second Rodeo is a next-generation studio creating high-impact, short-form storytelling that bridges creators, brands, and audiences. Founded by Scott Brown, the studio specializes in vertical microdramas, interactive digital experiences, and other innovative formats that redefine how stories are told and consumed.
