Brian Tyree Henry gives a riveting performance in "Dope Thief"

The Real Perspectives

March 16, 2025

AppleTV+

"Dope Thief" is the latest original series from Apple TV+, which premiered on March 14 with two of its eight episodes. Based on the 2009 novel by Dennis Tafoya of the same name, the series follows two lifelong friends, Ray (Oscar and Emmy nominee Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura best known for "Narcos"), in Philadelphia, who pose as DEA agents to rob small time drug dealers. Their successful hustle is profitable until they decide to target a meth house, suggested by a new recruit which unfortunately leads them to an organized narcotics operation. Facing deadly consequences, the hunter becomes the hunted as the two partners in crime suddenly find themselves in way over their heads, triggering a dangerous drug enterprise that is now after them while real DEA agents are hot on their trail.

The series is created and written by Peter Craig with executive producers that include Henry and iconic director Riddley Scott.

The series stars:

• Brian Tyree Henry as Raymond "Ray" Driscoll

• Wagner Moura is Manny Carvalho

• Kate Mulgrew as Theresa Bowers

• Marin Ireland as Mina

• Amir Arison as Mark Nader

• Nesta Cooper as Michelle

• Ving Rhames as Bart Driscoll

• Dustin Nguyen as Son Pham

• Kaci Walfall as Marietta

• Kiều Chinh as Xuan "Grandma" Pham

AppleTV+

This gripping series is fantastic in its delivery, fully immersing you in the world of these characters. The genuine friendship between Ray and Manny serves as the emotional anchor of the series as childhood friends who bonded during their time in juvenile detention, sharing a difficult past as recovering addicts. Henry shines as the beleaguered anti-hero, grappling with an estranged relationship with his father, who is in prison, with a maternal bond with his father's girlfriend, Theresa, whom he affectionally calls "Mom." Henry delivers a tour de force performance filled with emotional depth, burdened by the responsibility of keeping everyone safe and reminding viewers of his versatile talent. The stress of having a target on their backs affects Ray and Manny in different ways. Manny, desperate to leave his criminal past behind, struggles with drug use to cope with escalating arguments between the two. The series does an excellent job of showcasing their different personalities as they struggle to keep themselves and their loved ones alive.

 Ray and Manny aren't bad people, they're actually pretty likable, and there are a lot of comedic moments that levy the serious subject matter, however, the stakes are incredibly high, and the series consistently reminds them of this fact through escalating violence, car chases, and body counts that start adding up between biker gangs, Mexican cartels, and the mob.

Having screened the entire season for review, "Dope Thief" is an excellent series with intense action and nail biting thrills that never feels cheap but heighten the emotional stakes without feeling contrived. The supporting cast delivers strong performances (Ireland, Rhames, and Nguyen) and follows through with commitment from enough source material that warrants a second season.

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The first two episodes of Dope Thief are streaming now on AppleTV+. New episodes will be released every Friday through its season finale on March 25.

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