The Status of Dr. Death Season 3: Will the Peacock True Crime Anthology Return?
- Oct 28
- 5 min read
Dr. Death, the chilling true crime anthology series streaming on Peacock, has successfully combined the viewer appetite for gritty real-world accounts with high-stakes dramatic storytelling. Based on Wondery's acclaimed 2018 true crime podcast, the show dramatizes horrifying instances of gross medical malpractice and fraud committed by individuals trusted with patients’ lives.
The first two seasons have tackled two sensational and disturbing cases: the story of neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch in Season 1, and the exposure of surgeon and medical researcher Paolo Macchiarini in Season 2. Both seasons have been well-received, earning impressive Tomatometer ratings (93% for Season 1 and 80% for Season 2). Given this demonstrated success and the chilling nature of the source material, anticipation is high among fans who are eager to know if Dr. Death Season 3 is forthcoming on Peacock.
The Blueprint: Crafting the True Crime Anthology Series
The premise of Dr. Death was built specifically to allow for multiple, distinct installments. When executive producer Patrick Macmanus first pitched the show in 2018, one of the primary questions raised by studios was, "How are you going to do multiple seasons?". Macmanus responded that, unfortunately, there are "multiple stories out there to be mined" regarding medical misconduct.
The strategy for the show's continuation was always to ensure that each season could stand on its own. This means that a fan could watch Season 2 without necessarily feeling forced to view Season 1. While the cinematic style and overall feel remain similar enough to belong to the same franchise, Macmanus noted that the stories, characters, and even the "cinema" of each addition feel deliberately different. This True Crime Anthology structure allows the series to refresh its focus with a new, equally disturbing medical villain each season.
The foundational material for the show comes directly from the Wondery podcast, which has produced four total seasons. The TV show’s adaptation history, however, has not strictly followed the numerical order of the podcast.
Dr. Death Season 2: A 'Miracle Man' Exposed
Season 2 of the Peacock series, which debuted on December 21, dramatized the story of Dr. Paolo Macchiarini. Macchiarini, a surgeon and medical researcher, was exposed as a medical fraudster. The TV season detailed how he manipulated his patients and performed experimental surgeries, ultimately resulting in multiple fatalities.
Lies and Lethal Experiments: The Paolo Macchiarini Case
Macchiarini's downfall was closely tied to his relationship with news producer Benita Alexander. Alexander was drawn into his elaborate web of lies while reporting on him for a news segment. She eventually became engaged to him, leading to one of the most bizarre aspects of the scandal: Macchiarini falsely claimed that Pope Francis himself had blessed the couple and would officiate their wedding. Alexander later recounted her experience, equating the relationship to a scam.
Through her interviews with podcast host Laura Beil (featured in Dr. Death: Miracle Man, Podcast Season 3), Alexander detailed how she eventually uncovered Macchiarini’s extensive deceit and his unethical practices. These practices included experimental surgeries performed on patients without their full consent, which resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals. The success of this season, mirroring the podcast's exploration of both the professional misconduct and the personal manipulation, contributes significantly to the demand for Dr. Death Season 3.
The Crucial Question: Will Dr. Death Season 3 Happen?
As of early 2024, the question of whether Dr. Death Season 3 will be greenlit by Peacock remains officially unanswered. Since Season 2 was only recently released on December 21, 2023, the network is likely still reviewing viewership figures and ratings before making a decision to commission additional seasons.
When directly asked about the future of the series, producer Ashley Michel Hoban offered a concise, yet encouraging, response to fans looking forward to Season 3. She simply urged them to "tune in" and watch Season 2 on its debut date. This statement implies that strong performance is the crucial factor determining the show’s continuation. Given the consistently strong reviews—Season 1 averaging 93% and Season 2 averaging 80% on Rotten Tomatoes—it would not be surprising for Dr. Death to continue with a third season.
Forecasting Future Malpractice: Potential Season 3 Stories
If Peacock commissions Dr. Death Season 3, the creative team will look to the existing source material from the Wondery podcast to find their next subject. Since the TV series has already covered Podcast Season 1 (Duntsch) and Podcast Season 3 (Macchiarini), the next logical steps would be to adapt either Podcast Season 2 or Podcast Season 4.
Farid Fata: The Story of Unnecessary Chemotherapy
If the production follows the numerical order of the untapped podcast seasons, Season 3 of the TV show would likely focus on the subject of Podcast Season 2: Lebanese haematologist and oncologist Farid Fata.
Fata’s case is centered on immense medical fraud. He was convicted of prescribing aggressive and unnecessary chemotherapy treatments to patients who were either not diagnosed with cancer or did not require the intense process. Fata pled guilty to multiple charges, including healthcare fraud and money laundering. This story of systemic, financially motivated cruelty would provide a distinct yet equally horrific true crime narrative, aligning with the series' goal of presenting unique standalone seasons.
The other possibility for adaptation comes from Podcast Season 4, which was only released in December 2023. This season highlighted Dr. Serhat Gumrukcu. Gumrukcu garnered attention by claiming to be close to achieving a cure for both cancer and HIV, leading his biotech company to report massive sales numbers. Both Fata and Gumrukcu represent cases where medical authority was leveraged for personal gain, resulting in profound betrayal of public trust.
🔖 Key Takeaways
The future of the Peacock True Crime Anthology, Dr. Death, hinges on the viewership success of its highly anticipated second season.
🗝️ Dr. Death is an Anthology Success: The series successfully dramatizes real medical malpractice cases, having covered Christopher Duntsch (S1) and Paolo Macchiarini (S2), achieving strong critical reviews.
🗝️ Season 3 Status is Pending: While producers have encouraged fans to "tune in" to Season 2, suggesting viewership numbers are key, Dr. Death Season 3 has not yet been renewed.
🗝️ Potential New Stories Exist: Drawing from the Wondery podcast, the most probable subject for a potential Season 3 is Farid Fata, the haematologist convicted of prescribing unnecessary chemotherapy. Alternatively, the series could tackle the story of Dr. Serhat Gumrukcu, who made fraudulent claims about curing HIV and cancer.
🗝️ The Goal is Autonomy: Each season is designed to stand on its own, ensuring the new installment, if greenlit, will present a unique cinematic and narrative experience while maintaining the overall unsettling theme of medical betrayal.
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