Following the success of Narcos and Narcos Mexico, Netflix announced they've commissioned a new drug-related series, titled Painkiller. Narcos creator Eric Newman is behind the series, as well as Emmy Award nominated writing duo Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster.
The six-part limited series will be based on the books of Patrick Radden Keefe (who authored The Family That Built An Empire of Pain) and Barry Meier (who wrote Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic).
Here's everything we know about the series so far...
What is Painkiller about?
Painkiller will focus on the opioid crisis that has gripped America since the 1990s.
Speaking about how the series will explore the crisis, show creator Newman said: "A tragedy decades in the making, the opioid crisis has become one of the most devastating public health crises of our time. 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."
Who will star in Painkiller?
The series has already racked up an all-star cast, including Orange is the New Black actress Uzo Aduba and Ferris Bueller's Day Off lead Matthew Broderick. Broderick will play Richard Sackler, a member of the billionaire Sackler family and senior executive at Purdue Pharma, while Aduba is to star as Edie, an investigator leading the case against Purdue.
Other cast members include West Duchovny (The Magicians) as Purdue sales team new recruit Shannon, Dina Shihabi (Jack Ryan) as veteran Purdue sales rep Britt, and John Rothman (Ghostbusters) will play Mortimer Sackler, co-owner of Purdue Pharma.
Is there a trailer for Painkiller?
There isn't a trailer for the series just yet, so keep an eye out on Netflix for when it drops.
When will Painkiller be released?
Netflix hasn't yet announced an official release date for the new series, but filming is due to wrap in November, so we reckon we can expect the series in early 2022.
