A New Era for Adventures in Odyssey: John Avery Whittaker Has Been Recast
https://www.audiotheatrecentral.com/2026/11/john-avery-whittaker-has-been-recast.html?m=0
The Adventures in Odyssey team announced on the October 28th edition of the official podcast that Andre Stojka has retired from the role of John Avery Whittaker, and a new actor is taking up the mantle. Stojka has played the iconic character of Mr. Whittaker since 2009, making him the longest-serving actor to fill the role. His final episode is #1031: “Now Hiring,” which was released on January 29, 2026.
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| Phil Crowley and Katie Leigh Image courtesy of the Official AIO Podcast |
Stepping into this pivotal role for the series is accomplished voice and stage actor Phil Crowley. Crowley heard about the search for a new voice for Whit from Townsend Coleman, voice of Jason Whittaker, and shared on the podcast that he was immediately interested in auditioning for the role. Having appeared on the show in other roles over the years, Crowley is no stranger to AIO. His first appearance as Whit will be in episode #1046: “Ready When You Are” in Album 83, releasing on November 5, 2026.
Executive Producer Christopher Deihl gave the following statement to ATC about this transition. "As Adventures in Odyssey enters its 40th year, we want to introduce Phil Crowley as the 4th John Avery Whittaker to the audio series." Reinforcing the team's sentiments from the podcast episode, Diehl said that they believe Crowley embodies the nature of Whit in both voice and heart. He added, "We have already enjoyed working with Phil in the studio and seeing him interact with our other cast members. We also honor the years Andre Stojka has performed the character of Mr. Whittaker and recognize the impact he has had on so many listeners. Our team looks forward to continuing to tell stories revealing the truths of God into the next decade and for listeners, both new and old, to immerse themselves into the world of Odyssey!"
Though there have been some mixed reactions among the fan community to the news, many listeners have responded positively. Long-time listeners have stuck with the program through plenty of transitions in its long history, and recasting the main character is certainly a significant one, but the consensus seems to be that fans are not going anywhere. Changes like this are bittersweet, but in our observations, most fans seem to be eagerly awaiting the first appearance of Crowley's take on the beloved character. Fortunately, they won't have to wait long, with his Whit debut coming in just a few days.
