NEW YORK — Now playing on iTunes: Season two of Serial, the most popular podcast of all time.
The mega-hit is back, this time investigating Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier captured by the Taliban and accused of deserting his unit.
Serial said the podcast marks the first time Bergdahl has spoken to the press since his return to the United States in May 2014.
A prisoner of war for five years, Bergdahl was welcomed by President Obama at the White House in a big celebration 19 months ago, upon his return.
But the public discussion about Bergdahl quickly shifted, after members of his unit accused Bergdahl of being a traitor to his country. He was charged with desertion earlier this year, though the Army recommended that Bergdahl avoid prison time time.
The manner in which Bergdahl was brought back to the United States is also controversial. He was exchanged for five Taliban prisoners, who were returned to Afghanstan.
Host Sarah Koenig brought in filmmaker Mark Boal and his production company Page 1 to help with the investigation.
Season one of Serial was the fastest podcast to hit 5 million downloads on iTunes. Every week, the hourlong podcast followed Koenig’s investigation of the murder of a Maryland teen in the 1990s.
The first season was left unresolved, and it has sparked fan podcasts.
Serial is available for download on iTunes, on the podcast’s website and on a large host of podcast apps.
