Ashley Michel Hoban reveals why Dr Death Season 2 engages viewers

As viewers are captivated by Dr Death Season 2 on Peacock, The series delves into the real-life story of the Miracle Doctor, Paolo Macchiarini. While the premise is real, the storytelling does take some liberties. During a conversation with showrunner Ashley Michel Hoban shares the careful balance of empathy, curiosity, and condemnation for the doctor and his medical choices.  

For Dr. Death Season 2, the Peacock series explores Doctor Paolo Macchiarini and his pursuit of synthetic tracheas. While some of his patients might have been seeking a miracle to solve their health issues, the reality is that Macchiarini might have been offering more of a nightmare than a happily ever after.  

Even if those desperate patients sought a resolution to their medical issues, Ashley Michel Hoban appreciated that the doctor and his connection to his patients were vital to a compelling storyline. As Hoban shared during an interview, she said, “it was important to me that we meet Paulo through the eyes of people that fall under his spell and for better for worse.”  

Although some people may argue that the doctor might have a god complex, that charismatic, compelling persona made people want to believe that this miracle of science was possible.  

While many of Macchiarini’s choices may not be defensible, Hoban commented, “I think it's a more interesting character to watch with all the nuances. He is more than a guy who's doing something bad for the purpose to be bad, because that's not really how people are. That's not really how bad guys are.”  

Hoban goes on to explain, that Macchiarini “thinks that he is making necessary sacrifices in order to move this medicine forward, which is benefiting people that frankly have no other choice.” While people will debate whether they would or would not cross these lines, the doctor felt that his decision-making process benefited the greater medical war.  

Although Dr Death Season 2 might have people wary, the idea is not to cast a shadow over the whole medical world. As Hoban commented, the franchise comes from a place of “wanting to do good and having a positive effect in the world.” Whether people choose to ask more questions, do research, or just not allow the god complex to overshadow their own decision-making process, the series’ cautionary tale might have done its job well.  

Even though there was a Macchiarini in this world, there were many doctors who were whistleblowers and chose to speak up about the poor choices made. It is a reminder that there are plenty of good people who want the best for their patients, the medical community, and the world at large. The world might not be black and white, but there are plenty of people willing to shed light on the good deeds done.  

Dr Death Season 2 can be streamed on Peacock. There are eight episodes in this season. The story chronicles Paulo Macchiarini, a thoracic surgeon, as well as journalist Benita Alexander and the doctors and patients impacted by Macchiarini’s surgeries.