Last month, it was announced that Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) will be starring in season 2 of the Peacock anthology series Dr. Death as surgeon Paolo Macchiarini. A couple weeks later, we heard that Mandy Moore (This Is Us) would be taking on the role of investigative journalist Benita Alexander, “who falls in love with Ramirez’s Paolo Macchiarini before learning the truth about him.” And now Variety reports that three more have joined Ramirez and Moore in the cast. They are Luke Kirby (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Ashley Madekwe (Secret Diary of a Call Girl), and Gustaf Hammarsten (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 2011).
In Dr. Death season 2, we’ll find that Paolo Macchiarini is a charming surgeon, renowned for his innovative operations that earn him the nickname ‘Miracle Man.’ When investigative journalist Benita Alexander approaches him for a story, the line between personal and professional begins to blur, changing her life forever. As she learns how far Paolo will go to protect his secrets, a group of doctors halfway across the world make shocking discoveries of their own that call everything about the ‘Miracle Man’ into question.
Kirby will be playing the role of Dr. Nathan Gamelli, “a cardiovascular surgeon working at a world class hospital in Sweden. He faces pressure after voicing doubts about Dr. Macchiarini’s groundbreaking surgeries.” Madekwe’s character is Dr. Ana Lasbrey, “a doctor at the institute. She joins Macchiarini’s team, hoping to fast-track her career in stem cell research.” Hammarsten will be playing Dr. Svensson,“a family man and researcher. He is running Macchiarini’s clinical trials on lab rats when alarm bells begin to sound.”
Like the first season, this season will consist of eight episodes. Directing duties will be evenly split between Jennifer Morrison and Laura Belsey, with Morrison directing the first four episodes and Belsey directing the second half of the season.
Patrick Macmanus served as showrunner, writer, and executive producer of Dr. Death season 1. He remains on board for season 2, executive producing through his company Littleton Road Productions, but fellow executive producer Ashley Michel Hoban is taking the lead as showrunner and writer.
What do you think of Luke Kirby, Ashley Madekwe, and Gustaf Hammarsten joining the cast of Dr. Death season 2? Were you a fan of the first season, and are you looking forward to the new one? Let us know by leaving a comment below.