Hollywood comes to Virginia!

Beth Macy, a Virginia-based author, wrote the bestselling book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America. The book follows the stories of several heroin users and their parents, taking a look at the cycle of addiction from the drug dealers and prescription drugs, to the cops, judges, and health activists. 

Congratulations to Beth Macy @papergirlmacy on the upcoming Virginia filming of "Dopesick" for @hulu! https://t.co/rdaRNPO2O2
SVHEC had the privilege of hosting Ms. Macy in 2018 to talk about her book and to shed light on the #opiod epidemic. pic.twitter.com/leKI8tKmLs

— So. VA Higher Ed Ctr (@svhed) November 24, 2020

"The only way I could stand to write this book was to write about the people fighting back — so the families and the first responders," Beth Macy said. "My goal was to mobilize people to care about this."

Now, she can reach a wider audience with her message! A recent announcement by Governor Ralph Northam revealed that Dopesick will be filming in Virginia this winter and spring and released on Hulu as a limited series. Current filming locations include the Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke, and Clifton Forge.  

“It is wonderful to see this story from a Virginia author transformed from page to screen right here in our Commonwealth. We are honored to host the impressive team behind this compelling and consequential project, and to play a role in putting a universal spotlight on the opioid epidemic that continues to devastate American families and communities from all walks of life.” —Governor Northam 

Touchstone Television Executive Vice President of Production Nissa Diederich commented on the Governor’s remarks, thanking the Commonwealth of Virginia for welcoming their production team.

Current casting for Dopesick mini-series includes Michael Keaton (Birdman, Spotlight, Superman: Homecoming), Rosario Dawson (Mandalorian, Rent, Eagle Eye), and Peter Sarsgaard (Magnificent Seven, Shattered Glass, Jarhead). The co-creator of Empire, Danny Strong, is one of the screenwriters, and the slated director is Barry Levinson.  

To keep up-to-date with the latest film projects in Virginia, be sure to check out the Virginia Production Alliance!