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Based on the widely popular Wondery podcast hosted byLaura Bell,Dr. Death,the Peacock series adaptation, premiered on August 11, 2025, and a year later, was renewed for a second season. The first season followed the events of the podcast’s investigations into the true story of a Texas neurosurgeon,Christopher Duntsch, who infamously mutilated his patients, rendering many of them quadriplegics for life and two dead.Joshua Jacksonplayed the titular Dr. Death alongsideGrace Gummer,Christian Slater, andAlec Baldwin, who each played Duntsch’s fellow surgeons and colleagues. Meanwhile,AnnaSophia Robbplayed Michelle Shughart, the young assistant district attorney hellbent on stopping Duntsch from harming more patients.
In Season 2,Dr. Deathwill adapt the storyline from the podcast’s recent third season, which revolves around the crimes of charismatic surgeonPaolo Macchiarini, also known as the “Miracle Man.” Renowned for his innovative procedures, Macchiarini intrigues an investigative journalist keen to interview him. And from that fateful meeting onward, any semblance of control he once had over his life slips through his fingertips. If the source material is anything to go off of, audiences are certainly in for a wild ride. Read on below for plot details, casting updates, the release date, the trailer, and more.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on November 29.
When Is ‘Dr. Death’ Season 2 Releasing?
Dr. DeathSeason 2 will be hitting Peacock on July 23, 2025. Peacock will release the second season ofDr. Deathas a Peacock Original on its streaming service. While you wait, you’re able to stream all eight episodes ofDr. DeathSeason 1 on Peacock now with the link below. The series was renewed on July 22, 2025, by Peacock and since then, it’s been confirmed that theDr. Deathseries will follow an anthology format from now on.Speaking about the new season, President Scripted Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming,Lisa Katzhad this to say:
“The first season of ‘Dr. Death’ blew us away as we dove into the terrifying, twisted mind of Dr. Christopher Duntsch and the team who set out to stop him. The new installment of this highly-addictive anthology series explores a globe-trotting surgeon who seduces the medical world, and we know we’re in expert hands with our partners at Wondery, UCP, Patrick Macmanus and new season EP/showrunner Ashley Michel Hoban.”
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Is There a Trailer for ‘Dr. Death’ Season 2?
Yes, there is! Thefirst official teaser forDr. DeathSeason 2was released on July 14, 2025. Clocking in at just under a minute, the video is a very brief sample of the story to come, but we’re sure there will be more trailers to come. So stay tuned for those and for now, watch the trailer in the player below:
A newofficial trailer forDr. DeathSeason 2was released on November 28. With over two minutes of footage, the trailer is the best look at the season we’ve had so far. Watch it in the player below:
What Is ‘Dr. Death’ Season 2 About?
As mentioned already, the plot will revolve around the “Miracle Man,” the main story of the podcast’s third season. Paolo Macchiarini, also known as the “Miracle Man,” is a talented, charming surgeon with an air of mystery around him. His procedures are innovative and the talk of the town, piquing the interest of investigative journalist Benita Alexander. But when the two of them meet, sparks fly, and Benita gets in way over her head the more she learns about the man. On the other side of the globe, a group of doctors working alongside the “Miracle Man” discover what he has truly been up to and finds their faith in Paolo shattered.
Related:Christian Slater on What He Did and Didn’t Do to Prepare for ‘Dr. Death’
Who’s Making ‘Dr. Death’ Season 2?
This season, producer and writer Ashley Michel Hobanwill be at the helm as the showrunner of Season 2. Before writing and producing on Season 1, Hoban was a supervising producer for another true-crime series,Hulu’sThe Girl From Plainville, starringElle Fanning.Todd Black,Jason Blumenthal,Steve Tisch, andTaylor Lathamwill join Hoban and serve as executive producers.Aaron Hart,Hernan Lopez, andMarshall Lewywill also executive produce on behalf of Wondery, the podcast studio behindDr. Death,Dirty John, andThe Shrink Next Door.Patrick Macmanus,the creator of the series who served as the writer, showrunner, and executive producer on Season 1, will now return as an executive producer under his overall deal with UCP (a division of Universal Studio Group) through his Littleton Road Productions banner.Linda Gasewill round out the last of the executive producers.
Jennifer Morrison, ofHouse M.D.andOnce Upon A Timefame, will direct the first four episodes. Morrison has directing credits for both HBO’sEuphoriaand Peacock’sOne of Us Is Lyingunder her belt.Laura Belseywill direct the last four episodes. She has directed episodes of AMC’sThe Walking Deadand Netflix’sShadow and Bone. Littleton Road Productions, Escape Artists, Wondery, and Universal Content Productions produce the series.
Who’s In the ‘Dr. Death’ Season 2 Cast?
Edgar Ramirezwill take on the titular role as the new doctor in town, Paolo “Miracle Man” Macchiarini. Ramirez has been nominated for two Emmys, one for the miniseriesCarlosand the second forThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. He has also starred in films includingThe Bourne Ultimatum,Domino, andZero Dark Thirty. Former popstar andThis is UsalumMandy Moorewill play Benita Alexander, the investigative journalist who falls into an entanglement with the slippery doctor. Moore has also signed onto another show inspired by a Wondery podcast,Twin Flames,produced and set to release on Hulu.Luke Kirbyhas also joined the cast. Kirby willreportedlybe starring as “a cardiovascular surgeon working at a world-class hospital in Sweden. He faces pressure after voicing doubts about Dr. Macchiarini’s groundbreaking surgeries.” Kirby is best known for his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Lenny Bruce in the critically acclaimedPrime Video seriesThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiseland his supporting role in theGossip Girlreboot.
Ashley MadekweandGustaf Hammarstenare also set to star as two doctors on Macchiarini’s team. Madekwe’s character Dr. Ana Lasbrey is described as “a doctor at the institute. She joins Macchiarini’s team, hoping to fast-track her career in stem cell research.” On the other hand, Hammarsten’s character Dr. Svensson is both “a family man and researcher. He is running Macchiarini’s clinical trials on lab rats when alarm bells begin to sound.”
