Philadelphia has long been overlooked as a hub for American crime dramas, but lately, it’s rising to the top with a string of moody stories about drugs, murder, and broken families on its mean streets.
The mini-series “Long Bright River,” premiering this Thursday on Peacock, and “Dope Thief,” beginning Friday on Apple TV+, showcase the city as a postindustrial crucible – vibrant but violent, caring but crime-ridden. The shows follow HBO’s 2021 hit “Mare of Easttown” and precede another HBO law-enforcement drama, “Task,” that will feature F.B.I. agents in suburban Philadelphia.
The stars of the two new shows, Amanda Seyfried and Brian Tyree Henry, play characters who are different on the surface but share similar family traumas that haunt them. Seyfried’s Mickey Fitzpatrick is a cop who protects prostitutes on her beat, while Henry’s Ray Driscoll is an ex-con who robs drug houses by pretending to be a federal agent.
Despite their differences in approach, both shows explore themes of redemption and transformation for their characters. “Long Bright River” is a family soap opera with a procedural serial-killer mystery, while “Dope Thief” is a hyperbolic thriller that combines elements of hard-boiled mystery and farcical comedy.
In “Long Bright River,” Mickey’s investigation into the murders of women on her beat leads to unexpected consequences. The show’s director, Jessica Yu, brings a stylish approach to the melodrama, but critics argue that it neglects credible crime solving in favor of gothic melodrama.
On the other hand, “Dope Thief” is a more entertaining watch, with Henry delivering an ably supported performance as Ray Driscoll. The show’s director, Ridley Scott, brings a tense and violent tone to the opening episode, which shifts to a more desperate pitch later on. Despite some limitations in Henry’s performance, the show remains enjoyable, with a talented cast that includes Ving Rhames and Kate Mulgrew.
Both shows present Philadelphia as a character in its own right, but they approach it differently. “Long Bright River” has a tourist-brochure look, while “Dope Thief” uses washed-out tones to create a more realistic portrayal of the city’s gritty streets.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/arts/television/review-long-bright-river-dope-thief.html