Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost is set to star in a new Peacock series based on the true story of Larry Lavin, a dentist who built a significant cocaine empire. The series will explore the dramatic ascent and eventual downfall of Lavin, offering a detailed look into his complex double life.

The True Story of Larry Lavin

The upcoming series is inspired by the life of Larry Lavin, who operated as a drug kingpin in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Lavin, an Ivy League-educated dentist and family man, managed to conceal his vast criminal enterprise behind a facade of respectability.

From Marijuana to Cocaine

The show will trace Lavin’s journey from a small-scale marijuana distribution operation to becoming one of the East Coast's most elusive cocaine kingpins. It will detail the challenges, risks, and methods he employed to maintain secrecy for an extended period.

Production Details and Key Players

Colin Jost will not only star in the series but also serve as an executive producer. Alex Barnow, the showrunner of “The Goldbergs,” will lead the creative direction of the project. Lavin himself will also be an executive producer, aiming to ensure the story’s authenticity.

Legal Battles and Capture

The series will likely cover Lavin’s legal battles following his 1984 arrest by the FBI. He initially received a 42-year prison sentence on charges of drug trafficking and tax evasion, which was later reduced to 21 years. Prior to his final apprehension in 1986, Lavin briefly evaded capture after fleeing on partial bail to Virginia Beach.

Beyond this project, Jost’s recent work includes hosting “Pop Culture Jeopardy” on Prime Video and appearing in films like “Fly Me to the Moon” alongside his wife, Scarlett Johansson.

Unrelated news reports include details of an $18.9 million check-kiting case, a fatal car crash in New York, water level management at the Mount Morris Dam, and a U.S. fighter jet reportedly shot down over Iran.