Dopesick on Disney +: 3 good reasons to watch the shocking series inspired by real events

– Partner content –

A TRUE BREAKTHROUGH STORY

As the opioid crisis continues to rage in the United States, the miniseries Dopesick is adapting Beth Macy’s bestseller, a considerable journalistic work on the company responsible for bringing the drug to market, for the screen. ‘OxyContin. Considered revolutionary, this opioid pain reliever will actually destroy the lives of countless addiction victims and their loved ones.

This is also the strength of Dopesick, who, alongside the meeting rooms and seminars of the Purdue Pharma laboratory, also sheds light on the shattered lives of the communities directly affected by this tragedy. Through the story of the young Betsy Mallum (Kaitlyn Dever), injured in the back while working in the mine, or that of the doctor Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton), who will trust the pharmaceutical representative who approaches her.

Inspired by real events, the series presents the poignant portraits of families affected by the crisis, as well as an insightful look at the investigation into Purdue Pharma.

Disney +

A REMARKABLE DISTRIBUTION

To embody the real protagonists of this story, like the characters created for the series, the Dopesick team turned to distinguished actors who have already proven themselves on the small and the big screen. To begin with Michael Keaton (Batman, Birdman, Spotlight) touching in the role of the conscientious doctor of the small mining town of Finch Creek who will in spite of himself participate in this dramatic process.

On the side of the investigation, we find Peter Sarsgaard (The Trickster), John Hoogenakker (Jack Ryan), Jake McDorman (The Stuff of Heroes) and Rosario Dawson (The Mandalorian). In front of them, behind the scenes at Purdue Pharma, meet Michael Stuhlbarg (Your Honor), Will Poulter (The Labyrinth), Phillipa Soo (Hamilton) and Sean Allan Krill (Mr. Robot).

Finally, Kaitlyn Dever, already overwhelming in the Unbelievable miniseries, here lends her features to Betsy Mallum. A striking role which again sees the 24-year-old actress shine, surrounded by Ray McKinnon and Mare Winningham in the roles of her parents.

Disney +

A POWERFUL DRAMA

With Dopesick, Disney + sets itself apart from its previous original creations by offering a mini-series combining poignant drama and meticulous investigation, told through temporal back-and-forths that lift the veil on the destructive mechanisms of the marketing of OxyContin.

Also co-creator of the Empire series, actor and screenwriter Danny Strong collaborates here with renowned producers Barry Levinson (behind the camera for the first two episodes), John Goldwyn (Dexter) and Warren Littlefield (The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo ), and can also count on the expertise of Beth Macy, executive producer of the adaptation of her book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America.

Find now the first three episodes of the Dopesick series on Disney + and a new episode every Wednesday.