‘Dr. Death: Cutthroat Conman’ Trailer: Grisly Peacock Documentary Exposes True Story Behind First Synthetic Organ Transplant

The true stories behind viral true crime series “Dr. Death” are being told, with the latest Peacock documentary installment, “Dr. Death: Cutthroat Conman.”

The 90-minute doc charts the rise and fall of celebrity surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, who performed the world’s first synthetic organ transplant. Macchiarini was later exposed as an international conman whose web of lies extends decades, and ensnared many including those in his personal life and left a trail of devastated patients grappling with a nightmare.

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The “Dr. Death” narrative franchise, also on Peacock, will unveil its second season centered around Macchiarini, with Édgar Ramírez portraying the disgraced doctor dubbed “Miracle Man” before the accusations of research fraud and unethical experiments swirled. The Italian thoracic surgeon who was known for his cutting-edge stem cell grown and implanted tracheas. Mandy Moore co-stars as NBC television producer Benita Alexander. The series also debuts December 21.

“The story was so compelling. The real events are insane and when you read that, you cannot believe that it went on for so long and that so many people were dragged into this tragedy,” Ramírez told Forbes. The actor added of the true crime trend, “I think it maybe has to do with how far can we get to the edge of our humanity. Also, the spectrum of the human condition, how full of contradictions it is.”

The anthology series is based on a Wondery podcast centered on medical malpractice. The first season of “Dr. Death” starred Joshua Jackson as Texas neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch who was convicted of killing 33 patients over the course of his career.

“Dr. Death: Cutthroat Conman” is executive produced by Mary Robertson, Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman, and Adam Ciralsky, with director John Pappas also co-executive producing.

The documentary is a product of Maxine Productions, which is part of Sony Pictures Television, and Universal Television Alternative Studio.

“Dr. Death: Cutthroat Conman” premieres December 21 on Peacock. Check out the trailer below.

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