Hey guys, Jana here,

HBO and Sky with Canal + have come together to produce an eight-part series centering on a fictional American pope, Pius XIII. Signed to the project already are Jude Law and Diane Keaton, along with Silvio Orlando, Allison Case and Joan Pascu.

Law will star as the pope, born Lenny Belardo, who becomes the most conservative leader in the history of the Catholic Church. He remains staunchly resistant to the Vatican courtiers, one of which is Keaton’s Sister Mary, yet drawn with a compassionate pull toward the weak and poor. Naturally he will face harsh criticism from friend and foe, alike. The series will explore how one gains and loses their faith, the temptations all suffer, among other inner struggles common to all.

Paolo Sorrentino (‘The Great Beauty‘), the Italian filmmaker, will direct and co-write all eight episodes with Tony Grisoni, Umberto Contarello and Stefano Rulli. The series will begin production this week and is set to air next year.