Apple TV+ is rolling the dice with “Dope Thief,” a new crime drama hitting the streaming service on Friday, March 14. The eight-episode series, led by the always-compelling Brian Tyree Henry, seems to tick all the familiar boxes: a group of friends, a robbery gone wrong, and a surprise entanglement with a larger criminal enterprise. The first two episodes will be available on premiere day, followed by weekly installments. But will “Dope Thief” manage to transcend its well-worn premise?
Henry plays one of the aforementioned friends, a crew from Philadelphia whose attempt to pose as DEA agents for a heist goes sideways when they uncover a major drug operation. Adapted from Dennis Tafoya’s novel, the series sets its sights on a familiar target, leaving one to wonder if it can offer anything fresh to a genre overflowing with similar tales.
The supporting cast, featuring Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Nesta Cooper, Amir Arison, and Ving Rhames, certainly has potential. Whether these actors can carve out distinctive characters amid the standard crime drama tropes will be key to the show’s success.
Ridley Scott directs the first episode and executive produces alongside series creator Peter Craig (“Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Batman”) and Henry himself. Scott’s involvement generates some curiosity, but his recent forays into television have been uneven. Craig’s track record with genre fare offers a glimmer of hope, but even his sharpest scripts can’t always overcome predictable narratives.
So, can “Dope Thief” escape the gravitational pull of crime drama clichés? Can Henry’s performance elevate the material? Or will this be another case of a promising premise lost in a sea of familiar tropes? We’ll find out when “Dope Thief” premieres on Apple TV+ next year.
