David Chase Develops CIA Series ‘Project: MKUltra’ for HBO
David Chase, the acclaimed creator of “The Sopranos,” is developing a new thriller series for HBO called “Project: MKUltra.” This limited series aims to explore the life of Sidney Gottlieb, a key figure in the CIA’s controversial MKUltra program.
Overview of Project: MKUltra
Sidney Gottlieb, often referred to as the Black Sorcerer, was a chemist and spymaster known for his significant role in the CIA’s mind-control experiments during the Cold War. The series promises to delve into the dangerous and unethical practices that marked this clandestine program.
Background of MKUltra
The MKUltra program involved various mind-control experiments conducted on both willing and unwilling subjects. It has been described as a dark chapter in U.S. intelligence history. According to HBO, Gottlieb led this initiative, which played a pivotal role in shaping the counterculture surrounding LSD.
Production Team and Source Material
“Project: MKUltra” is based on the book “Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKUltra” by John Lisle. David Chase is collaborating with Nicole Lambert through Riverain Pictures, where Lambert oversees production and development.
David Chase’s Career Achievements
- Chase is a seven-time Emmy Award winner.
- His previous work, “The Sopranos,” aired for six seasons from 1999 to 2007.
- The series is regarded as one of the greatest TV shows, influencing the portrayal of antiheroes on screen.
- Chase has directed films such as “Not Fade Away” and contributed to the prequel “The Many Saints of Newark.”
- His notable past work includes “The Rockford Files” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”
Recent Developments
In 2024, David Chase was featured in a two-part documentary titled “Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos,” directed by Alex Gibney. This documentary premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York, highlighting Chase’s influence in the television industry.
Chase is represented by several agencies, including UTA and 42West. Deadline first reported the news about “Project: MKUltra,” setting anticipation high for this intriguing new series.
