Dopesick and laying out the crimes of Purdue Pharma: An interview with director Danny Strong

Dopesick is the new TV mini-series from Danny Strong that delves into the shocking story behind the US opioid crisis, partly inspired by the non-fiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy.

Through a number of parallel storylines, the show looks at the role of Purdue Pharma in the epidemic and the Sackler family behind it, the individuals and communities caught up in cycles of drug abuse and addiction, and the involvement of the DEA in attempts to bring those responsible to justice.

It stars an incredible ensemble of actors, including Michael Keaton as Dr Samuel Finnix, Peter Sarsgaard as Rick Mountcastle, Will Poulter as Billy Cutler, Kaitlyn Dever as Betsy Mallum and Rosario Dawson as Bridget Meyer.

We had the privilege of hearing Strong speak about the making of the series during the BFI London Film Festival panel interview.

The series creator shared how he first had the idea to focus on the opioid crisis, assembling his cast, including the inimitable Michael Keaton, and how he hopes it exposes the Sackler family who’ve yet to be held to account. He explained one aim was to “lay out their crimes for the country so that there is this historical record document of what exactly Purdue Pharma did, so that the victims of Purdue that are still alive and the family members of the victims know what happened.” 

Sarah Bradbury
Video: Filippo L’Astorina

Dopesick is released on Disney+ on 12^th November 2021.

Read more reviews and interviews from our London Film Festival 2021 coverage here.

For further information about the festival visit the official BFI website here.

Watch the trailer for Dopesick here: