Brian Tyree Henry has long been a standout performer, known for his powerful supporting roles in Atlanta, Bullet Train, and The Fire Inside. But in Apple TV’s Dope Thief, he finally takes center stage as the leading man. Alongside Narcos star Wagner Moura, Henry dives into a thrilling, action-packed, and deeply emotional story of friendship, survival, and desperation.
Created by The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig, Dope Thief follows two lifelong friends from Philadelphia—Ray (Henry) and Manny (Moura)—who make a living by posing as DEA agents and robbing drug dealers. But what starts as a quick con takes a dangerous turn when they unknowingly disrupt a high-level cartel operation and find themselves entangled in a deadly game of survival.
With their friendship on the line and danger at every corner, the duo must decide how far they’re willing to go to escape their past and secure their future.
For Henry, Dope Thief was more than just a chance to lead a series—it was a deeply personal journey.
“Beyond this being one of my first main leads in a show and the opportunity to executive produce it, I really wanted to unpack a lot of shit,” Henry told The Quintessential Gentleman. “I’ve been carrying around a lot of my own generational trauma, my own personal grief. And when I read Ray, I was like, ‘Oh, he doesn’t give me anywhere to hide.’”
Henry’s character, Ray, is a complex mix of toughness and vulnerability. He’s burdened with his past but determined to carve out a better life. His chemistry with Moura’s Manny elevates the show’s emotional stakes, turning Dope Thief into more than just a crime drama—it’s a love story of brotherhood, trust, and survival.
“This show forces you to actually see them in their softest moments, their moments where they’re scared, and the moments where you realize they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing. They’re just trying to survive,” Henry added.
Moura, best known for his portrayal of the ruthless Pablo Escobar in Narcos, takes on a drastically different role in Dope Thief. Unlike Escobar, Manny isn’t a power-hungry crime lord—he’s a man desperate to escape the criminal world. While many Hollywood villains willingly embrace a life of crime, Manny is a reluctant participant, trapped in a dangerous game with limited choices. He’s not a kingpin; he’s simply a man trying to survive in a world that has left him with few alternatives.
“He’s (Manny) is the most vulnerable character I have ever played,” Moura admitted. “He’s desperately trying to find a way out, but it’s so tragic because he can’t.”
This deep bond between Ray and Manny forms the backbone of the series, making every decision they make feel weighty and personal.
“At first, you see a Black and Latino man in a drug-dealing world, and you go, ‘Oh, do I want to see that?’ But when you get closer, you realize these guys don’t want to be there,” Moura explained.
While Dope Thief is packed with action and explosions, its true strength lies in its characters. Henry and Moura deliver emotionally charged performances, making Ray and Manny’s journey both exhilarating and heartbreaking.
“Most of the time, when you incarcerate Black and brown men at a very young age, that’s kind of where the system wants to keep you,” Henry said. “And so you’re kind of watching that unfold with these men who are also dealing with grief, addiction, and survival.”
Check out the full interview.
Apple TV will debut the first two episodes of Dope Thief on March 14, with new episodes releasing weekly.
Photo Credit: Apple TV
