Apple TV's "Dope Thief," an 8-part crime miniseries released in March 2025, has been recommended as essential viewing for fans of HBO's "The Wire." Despite being cancelled after just one season, the series is being praised as a character-driven crime drama that avoids glorifying the drug trade, instead using it as a backdrop for exploring complex human relationships and personal development.

The miniseries follows two lifelong Philadelphia friends, Manny and Ray, who impersonate DEA agents to steal money from small-time drug dealers in their neighbourhood. Their scheme unravels when they target a methamphetamine lab already under federal investigation and connected to a major drug cartel, forcing them to navigate warring criminal organisations whilst their friendship and family loyalties are tested. The series stars Oscar-nominated actors Wagner Moura and Brian Tyree Henry, whose performances and the evolving dynamic between their characters form the emotional core of the show, with critics noting that the series prioritises intimate character development over action-packed thrills.