Story perspectives

David Chase Develops HBO Series on CIA's MKUltra

10/23/2025

Summary

Story summary

David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, is developing an HBO series titled Project: MKUltra, based on John Lisle's book Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKUltra.
The series centers on Sidney Gottlieb, nicknamed The Black Sorcerer, who led CIA MKUltra mind-control experiments during the Cold War.
Chase will write and executive produce through Riverain Pictures, marking his first TV project since The Sopranos.

History

Historical Context

Project MKUltra, initiated by the CIA on April 13, 1953, aimed to develop mind control techniques in response to alleged Soviet practices during the Korean War. Led by Sidney Gottlieb, the program involved unethical experiments on unwitting subjects across over 80 institutions, raising significant ethical concerns. The project was publicly revealed in the mid-1970s, prompting discussions about government accountability and human rights violations.

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Story summary

David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, is developing an HBO series titled Project: MKUltra, based on John Lisle's book Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKUltra.
The series centers on Sidney Gottlieb, nicknamed The Black Sorcerer, who led CIA MKUltra mind-control experiments during the Cold War.
Chase will write and executive produce through Riverain Pictures, marking his first TV project since The Sopranos.

1 / 2