Dope Thief

Ray Driscoll and his childhood friend Manny Carvalho run a risky con in Philadelphia, pretending to be DEA agents to steal cash and drugs from small-time dealers. What begins as a series of quick, audacious score attempts steadily attracts more danger after they target someone connected to a far larger narcotics outfit. As pressure mounts from criminal networks and law enforcement scrutiny, the pair scramble to cover their tracks while personal loyalties fray and old resentments surface. The show keeps its focus on how ordinary relationships get strained by deception, and on the practical challenges of keeping a long-running fraud from collapsing. Ray is practical and wary, Manny charismatic and reckless, and their partnership flips between camaraderie and sharp arguments.

Created by Peter Craig and Dennis Tafoya, Dope Thief premiered in 2025, with Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura heading an ensemble that includes Marin Ireland, Amir Arison and Nesta Cooper, with a mix of U.S. and international talent, and a gritty tone.

The show has earned mixed reviews, averaging 6.5/10 from 109 votes, with praise for the leads' chemistry and the moral ambiguity at its core, while some critics pointed to uneven pacing and tonal shifts, noting strong performances but uneven plotting across episodes, and its moral questions linger after episodes end.

Dope Thief has sparked online conversation about impersonating law enforcement and small-scale crime, and it's helped spotlight Philadelphia's seedier corners as an effective backdrop for character-driven crime drama. Fans debate the ethics of the protagonists' choices and scenes have been widely shared on social platforms, and inspired debates over loyalty.

As of early 2025 Dope Thief hadn't received major industry awards, though several reviews singled out Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura for standout performances and suggested the show could attract attention in subsequent awards seasons. Some outlets highlighted the leads in early acting roundups, and award conversations may grow.