Wagner Moura in The Secret AgentImage via Neon
By
Erin Konrad
Published Feb 2, 2026, 7:20 PM EST
Erin Konrad's love for everything entertainment dates back to elementary school when she became obsessed with classic Hollywood musicals. When she's not catching up on all her favorite television shows, she's advising her friends and family on what they should binge watch next.
She has her Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Creating content for Collider gives her the opportunity to combine her writing skills with her passion for television and movies. She spends her free time trying to beat her personal record of reading 126 books in a year and cuddling with her dog, Gracie.
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Wagner Moura is fast becoming one of the most exciting actors working right now. First came his star-making turn as Pablo Escobar in Narcos, followed by versatile roles in television series such as Shining Girls and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. With last year's film, The Secret Agent, Moura has earned an Oscar nomination, making him the first Brazilian actor to ever be nominated in the Best Actor category. Moura's star is clearly on the rise, but there's one more recent project that truly displays his immense talent.
What Is 'Dope Thief' About?
Dope Thief, which aired on Apple TV from March to April 2025, is a fast-paced crime thriller with eight episodes that will have you on the edge of your seat. Adapted from the 2009 novel by Dennis Tafoya, the Ridley Scott series follows a pair of best friends named Manny (Moura) and Ray (Brian Tyree Henry), who have a small-time robbery scheme going where they pose as DEA agents to rob local Philadelphia drug dealers. Their plan works pretty well until one job gets them tangled up in a huge drug operation already being surveilled by real DEA officers.
Manny and Ray suddenly find themselves drawn into an incredibly violent and dangerous criminal underworld, and the two hapless men discover they are way out of their league. The story unfolds in an adrenaline-inducing way, with graphic violence and brutality, but Dope Thief is also told with a wry humor that allows it to have some light-hearted and entertaining moments, along with compelling themes of the importance of family (even if they're not blood-related to you) and the long-lasting effects of trauma. By diving deeper into the lives of these characters, the series becomes so much more than just a traditional crime drama.
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The series stars recent first-time Oscar nominee, Wagner Moura.
Posts By Adam BlevinsWagner Moura Pulls Off a Tour-de-Force Performance in 'Dope Thief'
In his portrayal of Manny, Moura is able to show the heartwrenching effects of substance abuse. Manny teams up with Ray because they grew up together, but he is still trying to move forward in life. Even as his life starts to unravel, Manny tries to dream about the future, including settling down with his girlfriend, Sherry (Liz Caribel Sierra), but the weight of his addiction and his inherent bad luck as a criminal threaten to derail any progress he makes. Moura allows us to feel Manny's desperation in every scene, as well as a kind-hearted streak that causes him to be horrified at the way his and Ray's journey plays out. Moura's portrayal also nails Manny's dismay at every step further into a life of sin and crime, but simultaneously, we can always see Manny's frantic fight for survival.
The best part of Dope Thief is the way that Moura and Henry create a formidable bond as two best friends. It's easy to believe that these men are incredibly tight, even when their different personalities make them somewhat incompatible. As events continue to unfold in an increasingly messy way, Moura and Henry (the latter of whom received an Emmy nomination for his role) make sure the viewer understands how linked the two friends are and how their fates end up being tied together with each bad decision they make. It's not just Moura and Henry who pull off authentic performances; Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, and Ving Rhames round out the cast with powerful and moving portrayals that allow Dope Thief to feel even more believable and gripping.
CL Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters
Dive into the world of entertainment with Collider, delivering the latest news, reviews, and exclusive updates from movies, TV, and pop culture Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Collider's review noted that "Dope Thief has an intriguing premise that elevates it beyond your typical drug heist series, and it's carried off by world-class actors." It's no surprise that the series has an 87* Rotten Tomatoes score, and that even nearly one year after its release, the series is still surging on the streaming charts. Dope Thief was written as a limited series, which means it won't be coming back for Season 2, but it's a binge-worthy, finely-tuned crime thriller and a chance to see more of Moura's impressive talent.
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Dope Thief
Like Crime Drama Release Date 2025 - 2025-00-00 Network Apple TV+Cast
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Brian Tyree Henry
Ray
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Wagner Moura
Manny Cespedes
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Brian Tyree Henry
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