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Please note that shoot dates are subject to state and county restrictions and may change. Refer to Call Sheet for updates, and keep checking Backstage for the latest news on project development during this time.
“Dopesick”
Hulu will explore America’s prescription drug crisis in a new limited series, based on Beth Macy’s book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America.” In it, Macy examines the opioid epidemic, starting with how it’s affected a small town in Virginia and building out from there. The adaptation, written by Danny Strong, will pull from emotional stories of individuals dealing with addiction and the toll it takes on their families and friends, examining torn relationships and the criminal lengths users will go to in order to get their next fix. It’s also a story of corporate manipulation and gain, in which the fault falls primarily with the company that manufactures OxyContin. Michael Keaton will star in the serialized drama as a doctor who finds himself caught up in the crisis. Avy Kaufman is searching for actors to fill roles alongside Keaton. While production has been delayed, the team behind the miniseries is eyeing September for an official start, though its specific U.S. location has not yet been disclosed.
“CSI: Vegas”
The next interation in Jerry Bruckheimer’s “CSI” franchise is on its way with “CSI: Vegas,” written by Jason Tracey. The potential limited series, which currently just has a pilot order, adds to the already large catalog of “CSI” spinoffs, including “NY,” “Miami,” and “Cyber.” This follow-up will take place on the famous strip where “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” was set, with William Petersen and Jorja Fox reprising their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, respectively. Though it has yet to score an official series order, Veronica Collins Rooney is looking for additional actors to round out the team; at least four new series regulars will join the original characters. The project had been looking toward an October 2020 premiere in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original series, but shooting was delayed due to COVID-19 production pauses. It will likely begin shooting in October, with production in Los Angeles.
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This story originally appeared in the Aug. 20 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.