March 10, 2022, 1:46 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
The Netflix hits “Inventing Anna” and “The Tinder Swindler” brought con artists into the spotlight. A new series picks up on this theme–but on an even larger scale.
In April 2022, the series “The Dropout” will premiere on Netflix competitor Disney+. It tells the story of one of the biggest con artists in U.S. history, Elizabeth Holmes. Like “Inventing Anna,” it is presented as a series with actors, not as a classic true-crime format like “The Tinder Swindler.” The true story of Elizabeth Holmes revolves around a billion-dollar startup and an alleged medical breakthrough.
The Story of Elizabeth Holmes
The story of Elizabeth Holmes could easily come from Hollywood. That’s why it’s perfect material for a film or series. As CEO of the medical company “Theranos,” which she founded in 2003 at just 19, she promised to develop and produce rapid blood tests that could detect 240 diseases. She dropped out of Stanford University to pursue this (hence the term “dropout”). In Silicon Valley, this is not unusual. Many success stories began this way. Things started well for Elizabeth Holmes, too.
“Theranos” managed to increase its company value to ten billion dollars over the next ten years, and Elizabeth Holmes’ personal wealth was estimated at 4.5 billion dollars. The problem: The tests never worked, as experts determined in 2015. Holmes allegedly knew this and continued to collect funds from investors. A case for the district attorney!
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“The Dropout” on Disney+
The series premieres on April 20, 2022, in the Star section on Disney+, the adult division. The lead role is played by U.S. actress Amanda Seyfried, who was nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2020 film “Mank.” There are a total of eight episodes. For a preview of “The Dropout,” check out the following trailer:
