It's the new Netflix show that everyone is talking about, so it's no surprise that TV fans want to know more about the Painkiller cast...
Netflix original series Painkiller has viewers gripped with its fictionalised retelling of the opioid crisis in America. The epidemic was fueled by Purdue Pharma, the company owned by billionaire businessman Richard Sackler and the developer of painkiller OxyContin. The troubling tale has left viewers wanting to know where Richard Sackler is now and if Painkiller is a true story, and those who've already raced through the show's six episodes want the Painkiller ending explained.
For those who've already watched Dopesick over on Disney+, Painkiller tells the same tale and is an equally powerful and emotive viewing experience. Similarly, another new Netflix release about the opioid crisis has viewers wondering if Pain Hustlers is based on a true story. The same questions are being asked of Painkiller, so Here's everything to know about the Painkiller cast and where you might have seen them before...
Painkiller cast: Full list
- Uzo Aduba as Edie Flowers
- Matthew Broderick as Richard Sackler
- Taylor Kitsch as Glen Kryger
- West Duchovny as Shannon Schaeffer
- Dina Shihabi as Britt Hufford
- Tyler Ritter as US Attorney John Brownlee
- Carolina Bartczak as Lily Kryger
- Jack Mulhern as Tyler Kryger
- Clark Gregg as Arthur Sackler
- Ana Cruz Kayne as Brianna Ortiz
- Sam Anderson as Raymond Sackler
- John Rothman as Mortimer Sackler
- John Ales as Dr Gregory Fitzgibbons
- Jamaal Grant as Shawn Flowers
- Ron Lea as Bill Havens
Uzo Aduba as Edie Flowers
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 42 | Instagram: @uzoaduba
Edie Flowers is a no-nonsense lawyer who is working for the US Attorney's officein Roanoke, Virginia. She's investigating the new drug, OxyContin, and attempts to bring a case against Purdue Pharma. Though many characters from Painkiller are based on real people, Edie Flowers is made up.
Viewers may recognise Uzo Aduba from her role as Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren in Netflix's Orange is the New Black, and she has also starred in Mrs America, Lightyear, In Treatment and Solos.
Matthew Broderick as Richard Sackler
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 61
Richard Sackler is the nephew of Arthur Sackler, the founder of Purdue Pharma, and he steps up to the plate as a senior executive atthe company.After Arthur passes away and saddles his family with debt, it’s Richard’s idea to make opiates the company’s profit engine, prompting the major call to replace MS Contin with OxyContin.
Broderick is known for his roles in cult classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off, being the voice of Simba in the original Lion King movie, WarGames, Godzilla and Inspector Gadget. He's also married to actress Sarah Jessica-Parker, and the pair share three children.
Taylor Kitsch as Glen Kryger
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 42 | Instagram: @taylorkitsch
Glen is a small business owner and hardworking family man, but after getting injured at work, his doctor soon prescribes him a new miracle drug, OxyContin, which ultimately upends the lives of him and his family.
Kitsch is best known for his role as Tim Riggins in the NBC TV series Friday Night Lights, but he has also starred in a number of thrillers including True Detective, The Terminal List, 21 Bridges and Waco.
West Duchovny as Shannon Schaeffer
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 24 | Instagram: @westduchovny
Shannon Schaeffer is an ex-college athlete who’s desperate to leave her parents' home in Ohio. She attends a recruitment drive for Purdue Pharma and sees a future for herself that includes money, fast cars and persuading doctors to prescribe OxyContin, landing a job as a new recruit to the Purdue salesteam. But as her role becomes increasingly lucrative, she struggles with her conscience.
Duchovny most recently appeared as Alison in Hulu's Saint X, and has also starred in The Magician. In 2018, she appeared alongside her father, David Duchovny, in an episode of The X Files.
Dina Shihabi as Britt Hufford
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 33 | Instagram: @shihabidina
Britt Hufford is a veteran sales rep for Purdue who recruits and mentors Shannon by showing her the luxurious life she could have. Beneath her unflinching devotion to the company lies deep insecurity.
Shihabi has appeared in numerous TV shows including Jack Ryan, Altered Carbon, Archive 81 and more recently in Showtime's Ghosts of Beirut.
Tyler Ritter as US Attorney John Brownlee
(Image credit: Netlfix)
Age: 38 | Instagram: @atylerritter
John Brownlee is Edie Flowers' new boss, and she works hard to convince him to take down Purdue Pharma. Taking note of Edie's findings, John Brownlee initiates a legal battle to find out the truth behind OxyContin. Unlike Edie, John Browlee's character is based on a real person, who was United States Attorney for theWestern District of Virginiafrom 2001 to 2008.
Ritter has starred in The McCarthys, and Young and Hungry and Arrow, alongside guest roles in Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy and Homecoming.
Carolina Bartczak as Lily Kryger
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 37 | Instagram: @carolinabartczak
Lily Kryger is Glen's wife and works alongside him at the garage. Though she tries to support him after his injury, she is pushed to the brink by his increasingly dangerous and harmful behaviours as a result of OxyContin usage. Lily is forced to face up to the reality of Glen's addiction.
Viewers may recognise Bartczak from her role as Magda Lehnsherr, the wife of Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, in X-Men: Apocalypse. She has also had roles in The Bold Type, Moonfall, Most Dangerous Game and The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe.
Jack Mulhern as Tyler Kryger
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 29
Tyler Kryger is Lilly's 17-year-old son and Glen's stepson. He struggles with guilt over Glen's accident, because the incident occurred while they were arguing at their family-owned tire shop, and blames himself for it. He is prone to angst and rebellion, but among his friends, he soon starts to see the lure of OxyContin in his age group.
Mulhern has previously starred in Mare of Easttown, The Society, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Unconformity and Odd Man Rush.
Clark Gregg as Arthur Sackler
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 61 | Instagram: @clarkgregg
Arthur Sackler is the patriarch of the Sackler family and founder of Purdue Pharma, and he is the one who realized that the big money in medicine was in sales and marketing. Throughout Painkiller, he appears to Richard as an apparition to guide his nephew in his handling of the family legacy.
Gregg is perhaps best known for portraying Agent Phil Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as starring in The West Wing, How I Met Your Father, Will & Grace, 500 Days of Summer and many more.
Ana Cruz Kayne as Brianna Ortiz
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Age: 39 | Instagram: @anacruzkayne
Ana Cruz Kayne portrays Brianna Ortiz, a lawyer who appeared alongside Bill Havens inPainkiller's first episode to discuss the ongoing opioid crisis with Edie Flowers.
Kayne recently appeared in theBarbiemovie as one of the Barbies. The actress' other credits includeLittle Women,Another Earth, andDepraved.
Sam Anderson as Raymond Sackler
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 76
Sam Anderson portrays Raymond Sackler inPainkiller, one of the owners of Purdue Pharma.In October 2017,The New Yorkerpublished an article that implied Sackler was morally responsible for the opioid epidemic in the United States.
Anderson is best known for his roles inPerfect Strangers,Growing Pains, andAngel, as well asfor portraying Bernard Nadler onLost.
John Rothman as Mortimer Sackler
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Age: 74 | Instagram: @johnnyrothman
Mortimer Sackler is the co-owner of Purdue Pharma and Richard Sackler’s uncle.Rothman is an actor known for his roles inThe Devil Wears Prada,Ghostbusters,Taxi,Picture Perfect, andEnchanted.
John Ales as Dr Gregory Fitzgibbons
(Image credit: Netflix)
Age: 54 | Instagram: @jackassdog
Gregory Fitzgibbons is a doctor who knows about the dangers of OxyContin. He refuses to prescribe the drug to his patients, despite Purdue's promise of increased profits.
Ales' past credits includeThe Nutty Professor,Who Are You People, andLife of the Party.
Jamaal Grant as Shawn Flowers
Age: 42
Shawn Flowers is Edie's brother, who is in prison during the events of the series.Grant's acting credits includeThe Manny,Christmas by the Book, andSuper Mighty Makers.
Ron Lea as Bill Havens
Ron Lea plays Bill Havens - one of the lawyers who spoke to Edie Flowers during the show's debut episode about the ongoing opioid crisis amid the legal battle against Purdue Pharma.
Lea is best known for his roles inClearcut,Fixer Upper Mysteries, andGoodnight for Justice.
Elsewhere, we've weighed in on the Dopesick vs Painkiller debate. And if you're a fan of true crime, we've also revealedwhere Ben Field is now- the killer from The Sixth Commandment - as well as thetrue story behind The Staircaseandwhat happened to Melissa Caddick, who features in a new ITV true crime drama.
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