Netflix Releases New Miniseries Highlighting the “Opioid Crisis” in the United States
Netflix has announced the upcoming release of a new miniseries called “Lethal Medicine,” which tackles the alarming issue of the “opioid crisis” in the United States. The crisis refers to the significant rise in drug addicts and deaths linked to the misuse of opioid painkillers, such as fentanyl.
The miniseries, based on the book “Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic” by Barry Meier and the article “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain” by Patrick Radden Keefe published in The New Yorker, delves into the origins and consequences of the opioid crisis through fictional stories. It sheds light on the lives of manufacturers, victims, and researchers whose lives were irreversibly impacted by the invention of OxyContin.
“Lethal Medicine” provides insight into the crimes, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans. Eric Newman, one of the executive producers, describes the opioid crisis as a tragedy that has plagued the nation for decades and has become one of the most devastating public health crises of our time. Unlike previous drug epidemics that originated from clandestine manufacturing and smuggling, this crisis began with prescription drugs approved by government authorities and fueled by a large pharmaceutical industry.
The miniseries is directed by Peter Berg, known for his work on “The Leftovers” and “Friday Night Lights.” Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, the Emmy-nominated writers of “A Good Day in the Neighborhood” and “Transparent,” are writing the miniseries and will also serve as showrunners and executive producers.
In addition to Newman, Berg, Fitzerman-Blue, and Harpster, other executive producers include Alex Gibney. The cast is led by Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi, and West Duchovny. Notable supporting cast members include Clark Gregg, Jack Mulhern, Sam Anderson, Ana Cruz Kayne, Brian Markinson, Noah Harpster, John Ales, Johnny Sneed, and Tyler Ritter.
The highly-anticipated miniseries, consisting of six episodes, is set to premiere on August 10th exclusively on Netflix. Audiences can expect an intense and thought-provoking exploration of the opioid crisis, exposing the dark realities and consequences of this epidemic.