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Everything we know About the Gripping Crime Drama– Dope Thief
Apple TV+ has just dropped the thrilling first trailer for Dope Thief, giving fans a gripping look at the high-stakes crime drama. Starring Oscar and Emmy nominee Brian Tyree Henry alongside Wagner Moura, the series follows two lifelong friends whose small-time scam spirals into a deadly game of survival.
Created by Peter Craig and directed by Ridley Scott, Dope Thief is based on Dennis Tafoya’s 2009 novel and brings a fresh, adrenaline-fueled take on the crime drama genre. The show’s gritty storytelling, combined with Scott’s signature cinematic style, sets the stage for a pulse-pounding ride through the dark underbelly of the drug world.
With the first trailer now out, anticipation is at an all-time high. How far will these characters go to escape the chaos they’ve unleashed? And can they outrun the dangerous forces now hunting them? We’re breaking down everything you need to know about Dope Thief, from its cast and creators to key plot details and the latest updates. Stay tuned, as we’ll keep updating with fresh news as it comes in!
Release date & Where to Watch
Dope Thief premieres globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, March 14, 2025. The eight-episode series will debut with its first two episodes, followed by weekly releases every Friday until April 25, 2025.
What is the plot of Dope Thief?
Dope Thief follows Ray and Manny, two lifelong friends from Philadelphia who have been inseparable since their time in juvenile prison nearly two decades ago. The duo runs a scam posing as DEA agents, using fake badges and enforcement jackets to rob small-time drug dealers. Their targets are usually too afraid or guilty to retaliate, making it an easy and lucrative scheme.
However, their operation takes a deadly turn when they unknowingly rob a countryside house connected to a powerful narcotics empire. What seemed like another routine heist turns into a nightmare as they find themselves entangled in one of the biggest hidden drug corridors on the Eastern seaboard.
Now, with dangerous criminals hunting them down, Ray wants out—but escaping won’t be easy. Both the ruthless crime syndicate and Manny himself may have other plans. As their deception spirals into a life-or-death struggle, Ray and Manny must navigate betrayal, violence, and the harsh reality of their choices. What started as a simple con has now put everything—and everyone they care about—at risk.
Who’s in the cast of Dope Thief?
- Brian Tyree Henry (Bullet Train, Godzilla vs. Kong) as Ray Driscoll
- Bentley Cooper as Young Ray
- Wagner Moura as Manny Carvalho
- Marin Ireland (The Umbrella Academy) as Mina
- Amir Arison (The Blacklist) as Mark Nader
- Nesta Cooper (See) as Michelle Taylor
- Kate Mulgrew (Orange Is the New Black, Star Trek: Prodigy) as Theresa Bowers
- Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible) as Bart
- Will Pullen as Marchetti
- Dustin Nguyen (21 Jump Street) as Son Pham
- Liz Caribel Sierra as Sherry
- Idris Debrand as Teenage Ray
- Kiều Chinh as Xuan 'Grandma' Pham
- Phong Le as Duy
- Emma Lewis as Izzy Pham
- Jaba Keh as Lewis Pham
- Jared Johnston as Carter 'Manscape' Keyes
- Gabriel Ebert as Jack
- Kaci Walfall as Marletta
Is There a Trailer for Dope Thief?
Apple TV+ has released a gripping new trailer for Dope Thief, offering a first look at Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura as two lifelong friends who impersonate federal agents to rob drug dealers. Their scheme takes a dangerous turn when they unknowingly target the wrong house, exposing a massive narcotics operation along the Eastern seaboard.
The trailer teases the escalating tension as Moura’s Manny Cespedes realizes the gravity of their mistake. “These guys are going to come after us, man,” he warns. Henry’s Ray Driscoll echoes the fear, saying, “These people are gonna hurt anybody that we care about.”
With high-stakes action and intense confrontations, Dope Thief promises a thrilling ride as the duo fights to escape the deadly consequences of their latest heist.
Episode Guide
- Season 1 Episode 1: Jolly Ranchers (Friday, March 14, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 2: Bat Out of Hell (Friday, March 14, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 3: Run, Die, or Relapse (Friday, March 21, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 4: Philadelphia Lawyer (Friday, March 28, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 5: Fear of God (Friday, April 4, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 6: Love Songs from Mars (Friday, April 11, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 7: Mussolini (Friday, April 18, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 8: Innocent People (Friday, April 25, 2025)
Filming & Production
Filming started in February 2023 in Philadelphia. After an on-set altercation with a co-star, Mando was fired and replaced by Wagner Moura. Production was later halted on May 9, 2023 due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
Behind the Scenes
Dope Thief is an upcoming American crime drama miniseries from Apple Studios, created by Peter Craig and based on Dennis Tafoya’s 2009 novel. The series marks a collaboration between Craig and Academy Award-nominated director Ridley Scott, with Scott directing the pilot and serving as an executive producer.
Craig, known for The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick, wrote all eight episodes and will direct one in his directorial debut. Speaking exclusively with Radio Times, he discussed how the adaptation differs from the novel:
"I think they can find it to be pretty different, particularly in the second half of the book. I think they're going to find that it leaves the shore entirely, but I think people who read the book will find it interesting because they'll find that a lot of the beginning of the book is absorbed into it, and it's pretty true to it for that section," Craig said.
He continued, "And then it takes all of that spirit and extends the crisis of the first half all the way and changes it to the end. Whereas in the book, it's resolved halfway through, and then there's a second half that's a reflection and it's kind of a second story that happens. The second story isn't there in this one. It's just the first story all the way through with a bunch of changes in the back half. Dennis tells me he's happy with that, so I think we're OK. I've adapted a lot of authors, and I'm usually pretty careful about making sure they're on board with everything, and he seemed to be on board with everything."
Scott Free Productions, which has a first-look deal with Apple TV+, is producing the series. Alongside Craig and Scott, executive producers include David W. Zucker, Richard Heus, Henry, Jordan Sheehan, Clayton Krueger, and Jennifer Wiley-Moxley.
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