There's no TV series that can replace The Wire, but Apple TV+'s latest release, best TV shows of all time, with David Simon's opus offering a more grounded and naturalistic social commentary than anything else available. It's not only an unbelievable piece of television; it's one of the most astounding works of 21st-century art, and it's impossible to find anything that's quite the same.
David Simon has produced multiple TV shows since The Wire. We Own This City, The Deuce, and Treme offer some of the similar appeal, but they're not entirely on the same level. Peter Craig, the screenwriter behind The Town, The Batman, and more, has taken his stab at a similar concept, with Dope Thief premiering recently on Apple TV+. Dope Thief's reviews have kicked off with an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fans Of The Wire Should Check Out Apple TV+'s Dope Thief - What The Show Is About
Dope Thief Takes A More Plot-Focused Approach To The Urban Drug World
Dope Thief's cast is led by Bryan Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Bullet Train) and Wagner Moura (Narcos, Civil War), bringing prestige acting talent to the series just as The Wire did. The TV series' ensemble isn't as sprawling or widespread as The Wire's, but the two lead characters bear some resemblance to the HBO show's characters. The aforementioned actors play Ray, a recovering drug addict and former dealer, and Manny, his childhood friend, are Philadelphians who pose as DEA agents to rob drug dealers. However, this alerts the attention of the real DEA, turning it into a more complicated endeavor.
Dope Thief is far more plot-focused than The Wire ever was, almost as if David Simon's show's premise was combined with Breaking Bad-like pacing and focus on an increasingly high-stakes plot. With only two episodes out, it's a fun new series that's worth exploring, especially for lovers of crime drama shows. The writing is clever, and Peter Craig's previous credits prove that he's capable of establishing a poignant urban environment rich with stories to explore.
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Why Expectations For Dope Thief Are So High
Dope Thief Has A Promising Creative Team Involved
Apple TV+ was late to enter the streaming game, but it's done well so far with hit series like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show. Not to mention, Severance is possibly the most celebrated ongoing series available. In of the production angle, Peter Craig is a note-worthy name, but he's ed by Ridley Scott, the legendary filmmaker behind movies like Gladiator and American Gangster, who serves as an executive producer and director on Dope Thief.
Dope Thief
- Release Date
- March 13, 2025
- Network
- Apple TV+
Cast
Brian Tyree HenryRay
Wagner MouraManny Cespedes
WHERE TO WATCH
- Creator(s)
- Peter Craig
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