Netflix’s drapped the trailer to its limited series, “Painkiller.” Inspired by real events, the show explores the origins and aftermath of the devastating opioid crisis that has plagued America. The six-episode drama will premiere on August 10, 2023.
With an exceptional cast including Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi, West Duchovny, and John Rothman, “Painkiller” promises a compelling narrative. The series also stars Clark Gregg, Jack Mulhern, Sam Anderson, Ana Cruz Kayne, Brian Markinson, Noah Harpster, John Ales, Johnny Sneed, Tyler Ritter, and Carolina Bartczak in guest roles.
Led by executive producers Eric Newman (known for “Narcos” and “True Story”) and director Pete Berg (renowned for “Friday Night Lights” and “Spenser Confidential”), the series delves into the depths of crime, accountability, and the broken systems that have failed countless Americans.
Uzo Aduba shines as Edie, the investigator leading the case against Purdue Pharma, while Matthew Broderick delivers a powerful performance as Richard Sackler, a senior executive at Purdue and scion of the influential Sackler family. The trailer showcases Sackler’s chilling observation that manipulating human behavior between pain and pleasure can ensure financial success. As the opioid crisis escalates, Edie questions how something legally prescribed can cause so much harm, not only killing individuals but destroying families and friendships.
Based on the book “Pain Killer” by Barry Meier and the New Yorker Magazine article “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain” by Patrick Radden Keefe, “Painkiller” sheds light on the complex web of events surrounding the opioid crisis. Each episode begins with a testimonial from a grieving family member who has lost a child to the epidemic, emphasizing the heartbreaking reality faced by countless Americans.
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