David Chase Develops Limited Series on CIA's MKUltra for HBO

David Chase, the acclaimed creator of *The Sopranos*, is returning to television with a new limited series titled *Project: MKUltra*, currently in development at HBO. This project marks Chase's first television series since the conclusion of *The Sopranos* in 2007. The series is based on John Lisle's non-fiction book, *Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKUltra*, which chronicles the controversial CIA program that conducted mind control experiments during the Cold War.

The Sopranos creator David Chase developing Project: MKUltra limited series for HBODeadline HollywoodVariety MagazineIndieWireHollywood ReporterThe GuardianThe Wrap

*Project: MKUltra* centers on Sidney Gottlieb, a chemist and spymaster known as "The Black Sorcerer." He led the MKUltra Psychedelic program, which aimed to counter perceived threats from Soviet and Chinese brainwashing techniques. The program involved administering psychedelic drugs, hypnosis, and torture on both willing and unwilling subjects from 1953 until its cessation in 1973. Gottlieb's experiments included military personnel, college students, mental patients, and prisoners, often without their consent, leading to significant ethical concerns and lasting psychological damage for some participants.

The Guardian

Chase's return to HBO is notable, as he has primarily focused on feature films since *The Sopranos*. His previous works include the 2012 film *Not Fade Away* and the 2021 prequel movie *The Many Saints of Newark*. In addition to *Project: MKUltra*, Chase has been involved in other projects, including an unproduced script that became the basis for an FX pilot. The new series will be executive produced by Chase and Nicole Lambert, who heads production and development at Riverain Pictures, Chase's production company.

Hollywood Reporter

Chase has expressed his views on the current state of television, noting that he has faced pressure to simplify his scripts in meetings with executives. He remarked on the challenges of creating complex narratives in an era where audiences are perceived to have shorter attention spans. This sentiment reflects a broader concern among creators about the evolving landscape of television storytelling.

The Wrap

While the project has generated excitement, there are concerns regarding the portrayal of sensitive historical events. Critics may question how the series will handle the ethical implications of the MKUltra program and the potential for sensationalism in dramatizing real-life abuses. The historical context of the CIA's actions during this period raises significant moral questions that the series will need to navigate carefully.

Deadline Hollywood

As *Project: MKUltra* moves forward in development, it remains to be seen how the series will be received by audiences and critics alike. Chase's return to HBO signifies a potential revival of ambitious storytelling on the network, which has been synonymous with high-quality drama. The series is expected to explore the darker aspects of human experimentation and the quest for control over the mind, themes that resonate with contemporary discussions about ethics in science and government transparency.

Deadline Hollywood

• “We seem to be confused and audiences can’t keep their minds on things, so we can’t make anything that makes too much sense, takes our attention and requires an audience to focus,” — David Chase

The Guardian

• “I guess the stockholders?” — David Chase

The Guardian

• “And as for streaming executives? It is getting worse. We’re going back to where we were.” — David Chase

The Guardian

Chase's *Project: MKUltra* promises to be a significant addition to the canon of television dramas that tackle complex and often troubling historical narratives.

The Wrap