AppleTV+ finds one of their best series yet in the eight-episode crime miniseries, Dope Thief, based on Dennis Tafoya’s Philly-set crime novel of the same name. Created by Peter Craig and executive produced by Craig and Ridley Scott (who directs the first episode), this is an explosive and constantly involving piece that features tremendous, career-best work from lead actor Bryan Tyree Henry.  

Comparisons to HBO’s Baltimore-set The Wire are inevitable, as each episode takes place in the crime-ridden streets of Philadelphia where drugs, cops, and violence share an uneasy coexistence. The series doesn’t set out to be an exposé of a city’s failing at keeping their non-White areas safe, although it does a great job speaking to that very subject. Craig created a work that expertly sits as riveting crime drama and thoughtful character piece, while the failures of the city’s politics are evident in every second. 

Dope Thief’s first episode is a tight hour that introduces Ray Driscoll (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny Carvalho (Wagner Moura); two lifelong best friends who pose as DEA agents to rob low-level Philly drug dealers. These two consider themselves some kind of inner city Robin Hoods, although they keep the cash for themselves. The risk versus reward ratio is fine for Ray and Manny. The payoff keeps them somewhat financially level, although the two dance around the fact that the risk factor means getting killed. 

Ray and Manny get a line on a meth lab far out in Amish country. By the end of the first episode, it becomes clear to them that the risk has met them face to face, as there are killings on this raid. Leaving with what they came for, Ray and Manny attract some bad enemies who are hot on their trail. The leader of the meth business knows who they are while the DEA works hard to figure out their identities. The duo’s biggest mistake was shooting a woman who was trying to shoot at them. The woman was undercover agent Mina (Marin Ireland). She survives, and aids in the hunt for her attackers. 

As the drug dealer sends out his hired thugs to retrieve his property and kill Ray and Manny, Mina and her DEA bosses get closer to the truth. Ray and Manny are no longer safe in the city and their previously charmed and bullet-proof existence begins to expire.  

Over the eight episodes there is a good deal of action (shootouts, foot/car chases, etc), but it is the emotional arcs of the well-written characters that solidifies the dramatic weight of the piece. Dope Thief focuses its concentration on the rippling effects of Manny and Ray’s predicament and how it now unfortunately touches those they love. 

Manny is in love with girlfriend Sherry (Liz Caribel Sierra, so good in the Indie feature, God’s Time) and plans to propose marriage. Ray has been raised by and lives with his father’s longtime girlfriend Theresa (an excellent Kate Mulgrew). Ray’s father Bart (Ving Rhames) went to prison years ago and his mother is dead. Ray visits his father only to find out if they were set up on the meth raid, although Theresa thinks they should reconcile. The reason for Ray’s reluctance to have a relationship with his father gives weight to his emotional state as the world starts to crumble. 

Mina finds herself in recovery from her gunshot wounds, yet takes the physical and emotional pain of rushing out of the hospital’s care in the hopes of finding her attackers. As her personal investigation leads to shocking revelations, Mina’s loyalties shift and her path becomes parallel to Ray’s. 

As everyone’s fates fall into personal chaos, the series becomes a riveting tale of Shakespearean familial conflicts, unsettled scores, and the corruption of the soul. 

The myriad of characters are well-handled and every actor makes their mark. Nesta Cooper as a Quaker lawyer who is working on Ray’s father’s case and Dustin Nguyen’s Son Pham, a Vietnamese American crime lord who masquerades as a regular suburban family man, are standouts.

The entire cast is terrific, with Ving Rhames getting the best role he has seen in years, but it is Brian Tyree Henry who gets inside your soul. Henry is nothing short of mesmerizing, as he holds tightly to the emotions of his character. Crippled by guilt, regret, addiction, and the need to keep everyone he loves alive, Ray fights hard against his attackers and his own failings. He is on a path to redemption and Henry portrays every emotion to perfection. The actor’s expressive face holds, as David Mamet wrote, “his weight and his fate.” Ray is caught up in the “find out” portion of his criminal acts, but is so vulnerable and human that the audience can’t help but feel sympathy. Brian Tyree Henry gives a remarkable performance and one that deserves recognition come awards season.

Dope Thief sets itself apart from other television crime dramas through an assertive execution of its narrative. There is a lot of plot throughout the eight episodes, but the scripts are sharply written and the direction is always carefully constructed. Each segment bursts with both emotion and energy, constantly delivering unexpected surprises. Review embargoes prevent me from diving too deeply into the upcoming plot machinations, but I can report that every episode is a compelling experience. 

Uncompromising, gritty, and emotionally true, Dope Thief is top tier television. 

The whole series was screened for review. The first three episodes are now streaming, with a new episode premiering every Friday through April 25th. 

Dope Thief

Executive Produced by Ridley Scott, Peter Craig, David W. Zucker, Richard Heus, Brian Tyree Henry, Jordan Sheehan, Clayton Krueger and Jennifer Wiley-Moxley

Starring Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Nesta Cooper, Amir Arison, Dustin Nguyen, Liz Caibel Sierra, and Ving Rhames.

TV-MA, Apple Studios, Scott Free Productions