Her dramatic anthology series Briarpatch was axed after just one season on the USA network.
But Rosario Dawson is set to star in Hulu’s upcoming limited series Dopesick, which is slated for a 2021 release date, according to The Wrap on Friday.
The 40-year-old actress will play the role of ‘tough DEA agent’ Bridget Meyer whose sole mission is ‘to curtail the use of OxyContin’ in her struggling community.
Next role: Rosario Dawson is set to star in Hulu’s upcoming limited series Dopesick, which slated for a 2021 release date, according to The Wrap on Friday; Rosario pictured in February
Dopesick, based on the best selling novel of the same name by Beth Macy, is described as ‘an ambitious, harrowing, and compelling look into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction.’
The eight-episode series will illustrate all sides of the nation’s growing opioid crisis in the setting of ‘a distressed Virginia mining community, the hallways of the DEA and the opulence of “one-percenter” Big Pharma Manhattan.’
According to The Wrap, Hulu’s adaptation of Dopesick is being produced by Touchstone Television and was written by Empire’s co-creator Danny Strong.
The announcement is particularly timely given United States Justice Department officials confirmed Wednesday that Purdue Pharma, the company that makes OxyContin, will plead guilty to three federal criminal charges as part of a settlement of more than $8 billion for its alleged role in fueling America’s opioid epidemic.
In the works: According to The Wrap, Hulu’s adaptation of Dopesick is being produced by Touchstone Television and was written by Empire’s co-creator Danny Strong
Adaptation: Dopesick, based on the best selling novel of the same name by Beth Macy, is described as ‘an ambitious, harrowing, and compelling look into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction’
Barry Levinson will step in as the series’ director, while earning executive producer credit alongside Strong, John Goldwyn, Warren Littlefield, Beth Macy and Karen Rosenfelt.
Aside from Rosario, Dopesick will also feature the likes of Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Kaitlyn Dever, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, Philippa Soo and Jake McDorman.
Dawson’s recently canceled series Briarpatch premiered in February amid the coronavirus pandemic and ran for a total of ten episodes.
Axed: Rosario’s dramatic anthology series Briarpatch was axed after just one season on the USA network
The ambitious project was based on the 1984 Ross Thomas novel titled Briarpatch and also placed Rosario in an authoritarian role.
The series followed Rosario’s character, investigator Allegra Dill, who returns to her hometown to solve her sister’s mysterious death, but ends up uncovering more than she bargained for.
Showrunner Andy Greenwald revealed the news of the series’ untimely cancelation in July, writing: ‘Briarpatch isn’t returning for another season at USA. Though I’ve known for months, it’s still a bummer.’
Mystery: The series followed Rosario’s character, investigator Allegra Dill, who returns to her hometown to solve her sister’s mysterious death, but ends up uncovering more than she bargained for
Total bummer: Showrunner Andy Greenwald revealed the news of the series’ untimely cancelation in July, writing: ‘Briarpatch isn’t returning for another season at USA. Though I’ve known for months, it’s still a bummer’
He mourned the plans him and his team had for season two of Briarpatch, but he also gushed about how fortunate he was to work with ‘the most amazing writers and crew, all of whom were itching to get back to work.’
‘And, hey, maybe we still will. If enough people keep checking the show out on demand, anything’s possible – especially for an anthology series as weird as this one. Nothing’s over until it’s over. But if it’s over? What a way to go,’ he wrote.
Aside from her acting ambitions, Rosario has recently been using her platform to urge people to register and cast their vote in the upcoming United States Presidential election.
Pledge To Vote: Aside from her acting ambitions, Rosario has recently been using her platform to urge people to register and cast their vote in the upcoming United States Presidential election
In a video posted to Twitter on Thursday, the Sin City star donned sequin face mask with the word ‘Vote’ written on the front of it.
‘#PledgeToVote This election is for us & everything we care about: our families, our health, & our futures,’ she began.
‘We are voting for the people who came before, those here now & the generations to follow. We are voting for the Dream & the country that helps us achieve it. VOTING WORKS!’
Glitzy: In a video posted to Twitter on Thursday, the Sin City star donned sequin face mask with the word ‘Vote’ written on the front of it