HBO is developing a death row drama from Alex Gibney (“Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief”), the first scripted project from the documentary filmmaker.
The in-development project has Laura Dern attached to star as a psychiatrist who must determine from her twisted yet humanizing diagnostic exchanges with death row inmates if they are sane enough to be killed by the state.
“I am thrilled to be embarking on this dramatic journey with Laura and Jayme,” Gibney said in a statement. “It’s an opportunity to shine a light on a dark and brutal corner of our justice system with a series of illuminating conversations that explore the best and worst of what it means to be human.”
Gibney and Dern will serve as executive producers, while Jayme Lemons will be co-executive producer. Investigative reporter Robert Kealing will serve as a consultant.
Dern previously starred on HBO series “Enlightened” and will next be seen in miniseries “Big Little Lies.” She is represented by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.