The Reluctant King of HBO

The boss and the boss of the boss: James Gandolfini and David Chase.

David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, discusses his new drama, about the C.I.A.’s infamous LSD experiments—and reveals why he hasn’t written any television since Tony’s final scene

By Stuart Heritage

Last week, a plush London hotel became a temple to HBO Max. Pictures of Carrie Bradshaw lined the corridors, HBO Max cushions dotted every chair in sight, and a heaving roster of A-list talent – Lisa Kudrow, Noah Wyle and Steve Carell – were poised and ready to hustle for the streamer’s UK launch.

However, you could argue that this whole circus was constructed because of one man. A few decades ago, HBO was a little-seen backwater of sport and standup. One show propelled it to the forefront of prestige television. That show was The Sopranos_._ The man who created it is David Chase. READ ON