Netflix announces August 10 premiere date for ‘Painkiller,’ six-part limited series based on origins of the opioid epidemic
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The Netflix six-part limited series “Painkiller” starring Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dana Shihabi and West Duchovny will premiere August 10 on the streamer, it was announced this morning. The scripted series – inspired by real events and based on the book “Pain Killer” by Barry Meier and the New Yorker magazine article “The Family That Built an Empire of Pain” by Patrick Radden Keefe, both of whom are consultants on the series – surrounds America’s opioid epidemic and the Sackler family. All six installments are directed by two-time Emmy nominee Peter Berg, who also serves as an executive producer.
The series will highlight “the stories of the perpetrators, victims and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin.” “Painkillers” also examines “the crime, accountability and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans.” Writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster are the creators/showrunners, while Eric Newman and Oscar and Emmy winner Alex Gibney serve as exec producers.
More from GoldDerby
SEEAlex Gibney on exposing truth about opioid crisis in ‘The Crime of the Century’
Similar themes as those addressed in “Pain Killer” were addressed in “Dopesick,” the 2021 Hulu limited series that won a pair of 2022 Emmys (including one for star Michael Keaton).
“A tragedy decades in the making, the opioid crisis has become one of the most devastating public health crises of our time,” Newman said. “Unlike other drug epidemics, born from underground manufacturing and covert smuggling, this epidemic began by prescription–dispensed by doctors, approved by government regulators, and promoted by a family-owned pharmaceutical giant that made billions while betraying the trust of patients and the public. I’m grateful to Micah and Noah, and Alex for bringing this story to me. ”
Added Berg: “I am really charged to be a part of such an in depth exploration of the genesis of the opioid travesty. Companies that profit off of death and addiction are fair game to me when it comes to illuminating the realities of how they go about their business.”
Best of GoldDerby
Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
