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HBO has given a straight-to-series order to the limited drama “The Chain” from Damon Lindelof, Variety has learned. The series falls under a new two-year overall deal that Lindelof signed with the premium cabler back in September 2025.
The eight-episode series is based on the novel of the same name by Adrian McKinty. Exact plot details for the show are being kept under wraps, but the book is about a mother who is forced to kidnap a child after her own daughter is abducted. Lindelof is said to be expanding on the mythology of the book with the series.
“We are honored by our continued partnership with Damon Lindelof, one of the most singular and distinctive creators of our time,” said Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO Programming and head of HBO Drama Series and Films. “‘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.”
Lindelof will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner on the series. The pilot story is by Lindelof, Carly Wray, and Breannah Gibson, with Lindelof and Wray writing the pilot script. Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer of Media Res will executive produce along with Shane Salerno. McKinty serves as co-executive producer. HBO and Media Res will co-produce.
“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,” Lindelof said. “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.”
Lindelof is currently a co-creator and executive producer on the upcoming HBO-DC Studios series “Lanterns,” which is due to debut later this year. He famously developed and served as showrunner on the hit HBO limited series followup to “Watchmen.” Lindelof and Cord Jefferson won the Emmy Award for outstanding writing for a limited series for the show, while the show itself also won the outstanding limited series award among its 26 nominations and 11 wins. Lindelof also ran and co-created the critically-acclaimed HBO series “The Leftovers” and co-created the hit ABC series “Lost.” His film credits include “Star Trek,” “Prometheus,” “World War Z,” and “Tomorrowland.”
He is repped by Range Media Partners and Myman Greenspan.
English (US) ·