EXCLUSIVE: The Sopranos creator David Chase revisits a dark chapter in CIA history with Project: MKUltraa limited series in development at HBO.
The project, which would be Chase’s first series since his groundbreaking HBO crime drama, will be based on the non-fiction book Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA and the MKUltra tragedy by author John Lisle. Chase optioned the book and will write the adaptation, which is part of the first-look deal his company Riverain Pictures has with HBO.
Project: MKUltra is a dramatic thriller centering on infamous chemist and spymaster Sidney Gottlieb, often known as The Black Sorcerer, who led the CIA’s MKUltra Psychedelic program that conducted dangerous and deadly mind control experiments on willing – and unwilling – subjects during the height of the Cold War. Gottlieb is also known as the unwitting godfather of the entire LSD counterculture.
Chase and Nicole Lambert executive producers Project: MKUltra for Riverain Pictures, where Lambert is responsible for production and development.
Operated by the CIA in the 1950s and 1960s, the secret MKUltra program sought to counter Soviet and Chinese advances in “brainwashing” techniques by administering psychedelic drugs, practicing hypnosis, and subjecting individuals to torture – often without their knowledge or consent – to extract confessions.
Chase has won seven Emmy Awards, including five for The Sopranosincluding two for Outstanding Drama Series.
After the series starring the late James Gandofini ended its six-season run in 2007, Chase focused his attention on feature films, writing, directing and producing the 2012 film. Don’t disappear and co-writing and producing The Sopranos prequel movie The many saints of Newark, released in 2021. He has an independent film in the works, which he plans to shoot early next year.
On television, a script not produced by Chase became the basis for FX’s untitled Witness Protection pilot, directed by Hannah Fidell and Gina Welch, which stars Alison Brie. He was also featured in HBO’s two-part 2024 documentary. Wise Guy: David Case and the Sopranos.
Chase is repped by UTA, Untitled, Gendler Kelly & Cunningham and 42West.
