Opioid Crisis Book ‘Dopesick’ Goes to Fox 21 and Littlefield Company

A best-selling book about the opioid crisis is on its way to becoming a TV series.

Fox 21 and The Littlefield Company have optioned the rights to Beth Macy’s Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company That Addicted America. It will be developed for television, with Macy and Warren Littlefield executive producing.

“Every once in a while, you come across a piece of material that is that rare diamond in that it’s an incredibly arresting story, and, even more, is timely and important,” Fox 21 president Bert Salke said Friday in a statement. “Beth’s dissection and thoughtful emotion in detailing the opioid crisis that now plagues our country, is as compelling a story as I have seen. Warren and Fox 21 are truly excited to build the perfect team, beginning with identifying the perfect writer to bring this series to life. It’s a huge priority.”

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Added Littlefield: “Beth has written a book that holds up a mirror to where America is right now and why. Through deeply emotional true stories and an understanding of the systems that failed us, Beth has painted a powerful and important portrait of our country. Until America better understands the issue it will remain a place where getting addicted is much easier than securing addiction treatment. Television can shine a klieg light on this. We look forward to working closely with Beth and our Fox 21 partners to bring this property to life on television.”

Dopesick chronicles the opioid crisis from the introduction of OxyContin in 1996 to 2016, when more than 42,000 people died of opioid overdoses in the U.S. Macy interviewed addicts and dealers for the best-selling book along with reviewing clinical studies and court documents to tell the story of how opioid addiction exploded. 

Fox 21 produces FX’s Pose, Mayans MC and American Crime Story (the latter along with FX Productions) and Genius for National Geographic. The Littlefield Company is behind The Handmaid’s Tale and Fargo.