Dopesick on Hulu: Stream Season 1 & Track Similar Shows

Season: 1

#	Air Date	Episode Name
E1	Oct 13, 2021	First Bottle
E2	Oct 13, 2021	Breakthrough Pain
E3	Oct 13, 2021	The 5th Vital Sign
E4	Oct 20, 2021	Pseudo-Addiction
E5	Oct 27, 2021	The Whistleblower
E6	Nov 03, 2021	Hammer the Abusers
E7	Nov 10, 2021	Black Box Warning
E8	Nov 17, 2021	The People vs. Purdue Pharma

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Production Note - Limited Series

Production Type:

Limited Series

Dopesick is a standalone Limited Series that concluded its 8-episode run in November 2021. Developed by Danny Strong and based on the non-fiction book by Beth Macy, the production was conceived as a comprehensive examination of the opioid crisis in America. It utilizes a multi-perspective narrative to trace the introduction of OxyContin from the boardrooms of Purdue Pharma to the exam rooms of small-town doctors and the legal halls of the Department of Justice.

The series was designed as a closed-ended narrative to provide a definitive historical and legal account of the events surrounding the Sackler family and the pharmaceutical industry. By covering the initial marketing of the drug through the subsequent legal battles, the production achieved its goal of documenting a specific era of public health history. Its status as a limited series was reinforced by its critical success and multiple awards, which recognized the complete and finished nature of the storytelling.

Produced by Hulu in association with 20th Television and Danny Strong Productions, the series features an ensemble cast led by Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

Confidence: 5% Last Refined: March 2026

Why Watch:

"Explore how this limited series reshaped the national conversation on corporate accountability and the opioid epidemic."

Series Analysis:

Dopesick remains a definitive landmark in the era of peak television, serving as a searing indictment of corporate greed and systemic failure. By dramatizing the genesis of the opioid crisis, the series moved beyond mere entertainment to become a primary cultural reference point for understanding the devastation of OxyContin. Its non-linear structure forced audiences to confront the clinical coldness of marketing meetings alongside the agonizing decay of rural communities. The lasting legacy of the show lies in its ability to humanize statistics, sparking renewed public discourse regarding pharmaceutical accountability. Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Dr. Samuel Finnix provides an emotional anchor that continues to resonate. As a finished work, it stands as a rigorous historical document. While the narrative is concluded, you should set a reminder for potential news or spiritual successors.

Tone: Analytical, somber, and historically significant. Last Updated: March 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Dopesick was produced as a standalone limited series and there are currently no plans for a second season. While the industry occasionally turns limited series into anthologies, this show was designed to conclude definitively after its eight-episode run.

The series is based on the non-fiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy. It dramatizes the true events surrounding the rise of the opioid epidemic and the legal actions taken against Purdue Pharma.

The production was filmed primarily on location throughout the state of Virginia to capture an authentic Appalachian atmosphere. Key filming sites included Richmond, Clifton Forge, and Hopewell, which served as the backdrop for the fictional town of Williams Creek.

Dopesick consists of a total of eight episodes that cover the multi-decade timeline of the opioid crisis. Each episode is approximately one hour long and contributes to a singular, complete narrative arc.

The series features a mix of real historical figures, such as the Sackler family, and composite characters like Dr. Samuel Finnix. These composite characters were created to represent the thousands of real doctors and patients impacted by the events depicted in the show.

Dopesick is a Hulu original series and is available to stream exclusively on the Hulu platform in the United States. International viewers can typically find the series on Disney+ under the Star banner.

FAQs Updated: March 2026