Zach Braff and Esther McGregor Join CLEAN HANDS, a Gritty True Story About the Opioid Crisis

Zach Braff and Esther McGregor have signed on to star in Clean Hands, a true story that digs into the opioid crisis through the lens of a father and daughter caught on opposite sides of the drug war. One is a cop, the other an addict.The film is written and directed by Jake Allyn, whose previous work (Ride) leaned into rural grit and character-driven storytelling. This time, he’s setting his sights on a harrowing real-life story out of Hagerstown, Maryland, a small city along the so-called “Heroin Highway.”“Kevin Simmers led a drug taskforce built on incarceration. That is, until his 19-year-old daughter Brooke began struggling with addiction. Together, they faced a tragic, triumphant, and truly unbelievable two-year battle. “Kevin used Brooke has his own confidential informant and faced betrayal by those he trusted most. Eventually, Kevin turned in his badge to create Brooke’s House, a revolutionary all-female recovery home that has since saved hundreds of young women facing addiction.”“This is a true story that can actively save lives,” Allyn told Deadline. “We’re going to authentically portray both the law enforcement and addiction sides of this war. With the heart and range of talents like Zach Braff and Esther McGregor, we can depict a journey that is equal parts tragedy and miracle.”Braff, known to most as J.D. from Scrubs, is no stranger to heartfelt storytelling. He’s currently directing season three of Shrinking and recently appeared in Apple TV’s Bad Monkey. His directing chops earned him an Emmy nom for the Ted Lasso episode “Biscuits,” and he’s still recognized for Garden State, which he wrote, directed, and starred in.Esther McGregor continues her rise with this deeply emotional role. Her previous work includes Babygirl, Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, and the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+. Most recently, she starred alongside Ewan and Clara McGregor in Bleeding Love, which premiered at SXSW in 2023.

Apr 2, 2025 - 11:11

Zach Braff and Esther McGregor Join CLEAN HANDS, a Gritty True Story About the Opioid Crisis

Zach Braff and Esther McGregor have signed on to star in Clean Hands, a true story that digs into the opioid crisis through the lens of a father and daughter caught on opposite sides of the drug war. One is a cop, the other an addict.

The film is written and directed by Jake Allyn, whose previous work (Ride) leaned into rural grit and character-driven storytelling. This time, he’s setting his sights on a harrowing real-life story out of Hagerstown, Maryland, a small city along the so-called “Heroin Highway.”

“Kevin Simmers led a drug taskforce built on incarceration. That is, until his 19-year-old daughter Brooke began struggling with addiction. Together, they faced a tragic, triumphant, and truly unbelievable two-year battle.

“Kevin used Brooke has his own confidential informant and faced betrayal by those he trusted most. Eventually, Kevin turned in his badge to create Brooke’s House, a revolutionary all-female recovery home that has since saved hundreds of young women facing addiction.”

“This is a true story that can actively save lives,” Allyn told Deadline. “We’re going to authentically portray both the law enforcement and addiction sides of this war. With the heart and range of talents like Zach Braff and Esther McGregor, we can depict a journey that is equal parts tragedy and miracle.”

Braff, known to most as J.D. from Scrubs, is no stranger to heartfelt storytelling. He’s currently directing season three of Shrinking and recently appeared in Apple TV’s Bad Monkey.

His directing chops earned him an Emmy nom for the Ted Lasso episode “Biscuits,” and he’s still recognized for Garden State, which he wrote, directed, and starred in.

Esther McGregor continues her rise with this deeply emotional role. Her previous work includes Babygirl, Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, and the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+. Most recently, she starred alongside Ewan and Clara McGregor in Bleeding Love, which premiered at SXSW in 2023.