The Dropout: trailer for Elizabeth Holmes inspired TV series, cast with Amanda Seyfried and UK release date

Holmes founded the company Theranos, and falsely claimed to have revolutionised blood testing
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Dropout, a true-crime miniseries starring Amanda Seyfried, is coming to Disney+ in the UK on 3 March.

The series dramatises the story of Elizabeth Holmes, an entrepreneur convicted of fraud – Holmes founded the Theranos company, and falsely claimed to have revolutionised blood testing.

Here is everything you need to know about The Dropout

What is it about?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Dropout is about Elizabeth Holmes, who was at one point named America’s youngest female billionaire – before losing it all a few years later when it was revealed that her company’s revolutionary technology was entirely fictitious.

Think Inventing Anna (Holmes even has her own distinctive voice) in the world of biotechnology rather than New York socialites, basically.

Is it based on a podcast?

Yes, it is. The series is based on the podcast of the same name. The podcast is hosted by SNL comedian Kate McKinnon, who was originally set to star as Holmes in The Dropout.

Who is in the cast?

Amanda Seyfried stars as Elizabeth Holmes. You’ll recognise Seyfried from films like Mamma Mia and Mean Girls, or from television appearances in Veronica Mars and Big Love. She can next be seen in Apple TV+ anthology series The Crowded Room, starring alongside Tom Holland.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Naveen Andrews plays Sunni Balwani, Holmes business partner and boyfriend. Andrews is best known for his role in Lost, where he played Sayid Jarrah, but you might also know him from Sense8 or The English Patient.

They’re joined by Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird), Stephen Fry (It’s A Sin), Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts US), and Alan Ruck (Succession) amongst others.

The series was executive produced by Elizabeth Meriwether, best known as the creator of New Girl.

Is there a trailer?

Yes, there is. You can see it right here.

How and where can I watch it?

In the UK, The Dropout will be available on Disney+. The first three episodes will be available to stream at once on March 3, with the following four released weekly.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the US, The Dropout will follow the same release schedule on Hulu.

How many episodes is it?

The Dropout is 7 episodes in total.

What do reviews say?

In NationalWorld’s review of the series, we praised Amanda Seyfried’s “magnetic” performance, writing “Seyfried does a compelling job paring those [layers] back, that brittle callousness giving way to a glassy-eyed vulnerability you can tell Holmes doesn’t quite recognise in herself.”

Why should I watch it?

Because the story of Theranos and the blood testing scandal is one of the biggest scams of recent years in terms of the sheer scale of the money involved, and the medical advancement their lie would have represented if true.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.