Hulu has today given a series order to the original limited series Dopesick starring Michael Keaton (Birdman, Spotlight). Based on the novel by Beth Macy, the series will produce eight episodes for a 2021 debut.
The series is an ambitious and harrowing look into the epicenter of America's struggle with opioid addiction. It will take viewers from a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA, and to the opulence of "one percenter" Big Pharma Manhattan.
Keaton will star as Samuel Finnix, an old-school doctor who approaches his practice with kindness and compassion but finds himself embroiled in Big Pharma's deadly secret.
Danny Strong (Empire) developed the series, with Barry Levinson (Rain Man) set to direct. They will executive produce with Keaton, Macy, Warren Littlefield, John Goldwyn and Karen Rosenfelt. Fox 21 Television Studios and The Littlefield Company will produce.
"The minute we met with Danny Strong about Beth Macy's best-selling book, we immediately knew it was the kind of groundbreaking series we just had to bring to Hulu," said Craig Erwich, Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Hulu. "Danny's unflinching and deeply compelling take on America's opioid crisis will bring to life one of the most important stories impacting our culture. Add to that the cinematic vision of Barry Levinson and the extraordinary talent of Michael Keaton, and we've got an undeniable series that perfectly embodies our Hulu Originals brand."
"I'm so thrilled to tell this story with a company as bold and as daring as Hulu," added Strong. "The opioid crisis is one of the most important stories of our time and I'm honored to not only pay tribute to its victims but to shine a light on the heroes that fought back. Laws were broken and many lies were told. The system failed us and Dopesick is going to show everyone how it all happened."
