HBO released a teaser for “The New Pope” starring Jude Law and John Malkovich on Wednesday, showing us the return of Law’s Pius XIII and his heavenly body and the holy entrance of Malkovich’s new character — and his more traditional ways.
“The New Pope” is directed by Paolo Sorrentino, who wrote the series with Umberto Contarello and Stefano Bises. The Sky, HBO and Canal+ limited series, which will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival Sept. 1., marks Sorrentino’s second limited series set in the world of the modern papacy.
Watch the teaser for the nine-episode limited series above.
The original series, “The Young Pope,” also created and directed by Sorrentino, debuted on Sky in October 2016 and on HBO in January 2017. Law was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Motion Picture for his performance.
Along with Law and Malkovich, “The New Pope” stars returning cast from “The Young Pope” include Silvio Orlando, Javier Cámara, Cécile de France, Ludivine Sagnier and Maurizio Lombardi. New cast members include Henry Goodman, Ulrich Thomsen, Mark Ivanir, Yuliya Snigir and Massimo Ghini. Sharon Stone and Marilyn Manson guest star.
The follow-up limited series is produced by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani for Wildside, part of the Fremantle family, and co-produced by Haut et Court TV and The Mediapro Studio. Fremantle is the global distributor.
“The Young Pope” told the story of the beginning of Pius XIII’s pontificate. Previously known as Lenny Belardo (Law), he is a complex and conflicted character full of compassion towards the weak and poor. During the series, he faced the fear of being abandoned, even by God. However, he is not afraid to defend that same God and the world representing Him.
The series aired its final episode in November 2016 and HBO greenlit “The New Pope” in May 2017.