Dopesick (TV series)
Dopesick is an American limited drama television series that premiered in 2021.
Dopesick is an American limited drama television series that premiered on October 13, 2021, on Hulu. Based on Beth Macy’s nonfiction book *Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company That Addicted America*, the series dramatizes the origins and consequences of the U.S. opioid crisis, focusing on Purdue Pharma and OxyContin. The series features an ensemble cast led by Michael Keaton. In Canada, the series was available through streaming platforms carrying Hulu content and contributed to public discussion about opioid addiction and pharmaceutical regulation.
Premise
The series examines the opioid epidemic in the United States through several interconnected storylines. It follows doctors, patients, prosecutors, regulators, and Purdue Pharma executives, presenting the crisis from both personal and institutional perspectives. The story centers on Purdue Pharma and OxyContin, and the people affected by opioid addiction. The series uses both real and fictionalized characters to tell multiple perspectives on the crisis.
Production and source material
Dopesick was developed by Danny Strong and is based on Beth Macy’s nonfiction book *Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company That Addicted America*. The series was produced for Hulu and premiered on October 13, 2021, as a limited series. Michael Keaton stars as Dr. Samuel Finnix and also served as an executive producer.
Cast and characters
The ensemble cast includes Michael Keaton as Dr. Samuel Finnix, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, Kaitlyn Dever, and Rosario Dawson. The series combines fictional characters with portrayals of real-life figures connected to the opioid crisis.
Reception
The series received critical attention for its portrayal of pharmaceutical greed, addiction, and legal accountability. Reviews noted its serious tone and its focus on Purdue Pharma’s role in the crisis. The series was widely discussed for its depiction of the human and institutional consequences of opioid addiction.
Key facts
- Dopesick is a limited series based on Beth Macy’s nonfiction book about the U.S. opioid crisis.
- The series focuses on Purdue Pharma and OxyContin, and the people affected by addiction.
- Michael Keaton stars as Dr. Samuel Finnix and also served as an executive producer.
- The series uses both real and fictionalized characters to tell multiple perspectives.
- It premiered on Hulu on October 13, 2021.
The series was available to Canadian viewers through streaming platforms carrying Hulu content in some markets and has been of interest in Canada as part of broader public discussion about opioid addiction and pharmaceutical regulation.
Frequently asked questions
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References
- Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/show/dopesick/umc.cmc.3nfl7j0dcbjsczlhzc7yw1wbqSupports: Series description, premise, premiere year, and cast
- BBC Two — https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ys7bSupports: Series premise and cast
- The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/12/arts/television/review-dopesick-hulu.htmlSupports: Series basis, structure, and focus on the opioid crisis
- RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/dopesick-hulu-tv-review-2021Supports: Episode count, adaptation source, and tone
- Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dopesick/s01Supports: Network, genre, language, and release date
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/DopesickSupports: Series identification, year, and award note