HBO Orders New Limited Series THE CHAIN From Damon Lindelof

                                                   Image Credit: Austin Hargrave/HBO
 

• HBO has given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order for THE CHAIN, a new limited series written and executive produced by Emmy®-winner Damon Lindelof (HBO’s “The Leftovers,” “Watchmen”). Lindelof will showrun, a position not held since HBO’s “Watchmen.” HBO has also signed a two-year overall deal with Lindelof which began in September 2025.
   
• Based on the acclaimed New York Times bestselling book by Adrian McKinty of the same name, THE CHAIN is the first project under this deal with the Emmy®-nominated television studio Media Res (“The Morning Show,” “Pachinko”) serving as the co-studio. Details are under wraps, but Lindelof is said to be expanding the mythology of McKinty’s award-winning thriller.
   
• Credits: HBO Original limited series THE CHAIN is written and executive produced by Damon Lindelof. The pilot story is by Damon Lindelof, Carly Wray, and Breannah Gibson, with Lindelof and Wray writing the pilot script. Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer serve as executive producers for Media Res, the co-studio behind the series. Shane Salerno serves as executive producer. Based on the book “The Chain” by Adrian McKinty, who also serves as co-executive producer.
   
• Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, quote: "We are honored by our continued partnership with Damon Lindelof, one of the most singular and distinctive creators of our time. THE CHAIN promises to continue his legacy of dropping us into the pit of the human brain and delivering in ways not only emotionally daring but, ultimately, transformative."
   
• Damon Lindelof, showrunner, writer, and executive producer, quote: “From the moment I heard the wild and original premise of Adrian’s book, I was shocked, surprised and angry I hadn’t thought of it myself. I’ve always wanted to try to adapt a great thriller and this one has all the dark, weird, exhilarating touches that fire up my imagination. I feel so fortunate to reteam with Francesca, Casey and Michael, who first brought me to HBO fifteen years ago and I can’t wait to make THE CHAIN a memorable link in their outstanding legacy.”
   
• About Damon Lindelof: Damon Lindelof was born in New Jersey to a schoolteacher and a banker. He was also born a writer, although it would take over 25 years to figure that out. In 2004 he partnered with J.J. Abrams to create "Lost.” No, they were not dead the whole time. Since Damon left the island, he has worked as a writer and producer on "Star Trek,” “Promethesus,” “World War Z,” and “Tomorrowland.” Returning to TV in 2014 Damon spent three seasons showrunning HBO’s critically-acclaimed “The Leftovers,” which he fiercely defends as “not as depressing as everyone says.” His most recent project was the award-winning HBO limited series “Watchmen,” which he fiercely defends as “not as confusing as everyone says.” Damon also wrote this bio. 
   
• About Media Res: Media Res is an Emmy®-nominated television studio and motion picture production company that develops, produces and finances premium content for global markets. Following an investment from Redbird IMI, the company is expanding its partnership with first-class creative artists, networks and streaming services. Founded by Michael Ellenberg, Media Res's current slate includes the fourth season of the Emmy, SAG and Critics Choice Award-winning Apple TV drama series "The Morning Show;” the second season of Apple TV's acclaimed series “Pachinko,” based on the international bestseller, which has received honors from the Peabody Awards, American Film Institute and Critics Choice Awards; Peacock’s upcoming comedy series “The Miniature Wife,” executive produced by Emmy® nominee Elizabeth Banks, Emmy® winner Matthew Macfadyen and Greg Mottola and starring the former two and Apple TV’s upcoming drama "The Dealer,” starring and executive produced by Academy Award winner Jessica Chastain and Academy Award nominee Adam Driver, set in the glittering world of the high-end art market. Past projects include the absurdist comedy "I'm a Virgo,” written and directed by Boots Riley, on Amazon Prime Video; the climate change series "Extrapolations” from Scott Z. Burns, on Apple TV, starring Meryl Streep, Edward Norton, and Marion Cotillard; and "Scenes From A Marriage,” starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac, for HBO, based on the classic Ingmar Bergman series.