Dope Thief is based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Dennis Tafoya, and was originally announced in August 2022 under the working title Sinking Spring.

The series was created and written by Peter Craig, who was also set to direct one of the episodes himself.

Ridley Scott was attached to direct the pilot episode and served as an executive producer on the series.

Michael Mando was originally cast in the series but was fired after an on-set altercation with another actor; Wagner Moura was cast to replace him as Manny Carvalho.

Filming began in February 2023 in Philadelphia, the city where the story is set.

Production was halted on May 9, 2023 due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.

In November 2024, it was revealed that the show's title had been changed from Sinking Spring to Dope Thief ahead of its premiere.

The series holds an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 52 reviews, with critics praising Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura's performances despite calling the story derivative.