Best of Behind the Verticals (a Selection)

And what's happening in the vertical drama industry this week

On December 2, 2025, Behind the Verticals launched to the world and what a six months it’s been. Thanks to your support, we’ve steadily climbed Substack’s Film & TV trending and bestseller lists, hosted a community webinar, appeared in academic research and on industry panels and podcasts, featured interviews with writers, directors, producers, actors, managers, and more, and watched vertical drama go from niche to mainstream, with major studios, streamers, brands, and industry conferences all taking notice. Excited for what’s to come. We already have some exciting things for you in the editorial pipeline.

But first, this week’s global vertical drama news…

Credit: Behind the Verticals

👀 Spotted

• The All-American Rejects launch microdrama series ‘SuperFan’ on CandyJar.

• The future of cinema is on your phone.

• There is now an F1 vertical drama. Here is a behind the scenes look.

• When AI starts “acting”: can the surge of AI live-action short dramas cross cultures and trigger empathy?

• Anamana declares era of ‘Billionaire Werewolves’ is ending; AI-native strategy sets sights on expanding $5B micro-serial market into new genres.

• The Hollywood Reporter: What a Microdrama! Inside the sexy vertical videos taking over Hollywood.

• Holywater bosses: “People Used To Say YouTube Was Just A Platform For Cat Videos”.

• The Royal Television Society in London is hosting a vertical drama event.

• Sony Pictures Television to launch its first micro drama in Latin America.

• Microdramas are only the beginning for Joseph Purcell.

• My Drama wins Microdrama App at TellyCast Digital Video Awards 2026.

• Story TV launches daily vertical microdrama format.

• Rivr Media moves into vertical series with ‘Dash Of Fire’.

• Micro dramas are coming to Peacock this summer.

• The Town with Matthew Belloni discusses vertical dramas:

You can support our work by becoming a paid subscriber. If you would like to work together, contribute a guest post, or have any vertical drama updates to share, send us an email.

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🧡 Behind the Verticals Archive Highlights Selection

Interview with Dana Protsyshak

Self-Funding a Vertical Drama

Interview with Isabel Dréan

Interview with Monika Dalman & Alicia Read

Inside Vertical Drama with One of Its Most Recognizable Stars