“Dopesick,” the Hulu series based on Roanoke author Beth Macy’s book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America,” won two Emmys in this year’s awards.
Michael Keaton, who played doctor-turned-addict Samuel Finnix, won outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie. Keaton told Hollywood Reporter last year that he was attracted to the series because his nephew died from addiction. “I thought, ‘Well, if this is even remotely good, I have to do this,’” he told The Hollywood Reporter then. “It happens to be real good.” The series, like the book, told the story of the opioid crisis.
In a part of the Emmys that wasn’t televised, the show’s director of photography, Checco Varese, won an Emmy for outstanding cinematography for a limited or anthology series or movie. The show was filmed in Clifton Forge and Richmond.
In all, “Dopesick” was nominated for 14 Emmys, some of those involving multiple actors nominated in the same category. “The White Lotus,” a fictional HBO comedy drama about a resort with dysfunctional guests, beat out “Dopesick” for outstanding limited series.
Macy, a former Roanoke Times reporter, is also the author of “Factory Man,” “Truevine” and her new book, “Raising Lazarus.” She is also a member of Cardinal’s journalism advisory committee, although committee members have no role in news decisions.