The real-life Vatican might now be down one occupant, but Showtime's pilot "The Vatican" is bringing on one more newcomer.

"Pushing Daisies" star Anna Friel has been cast in the Showtime project, which is described as "a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics – set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church."

Also read: Showtime Casts Kyle Chandler as Lead in 'The Vatican' Pilot [4]

Friel will play Kayla Duffy, the younger sister of Cardinal Thomas Duffy (who's being played by Kyle Chandler from "Argo" and "Zero Dark Thirty.") Unlike Thomas, Kayla is a sexually active, hard-partying New Yorker who's openly rebellious against all norms and institutions, including the church -- something of a liability for a man of the cloth who is one of the public leaders of the Catholic Church.

The cast also includes Matthew Goode and Sebastian Koch.

Production on the pilot, which is being produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Showtime, will begin later this year. "Donnie Brasco" and "House M.D." writer Paul Attanasio is writing the script for the hour-long pilot, which Ridley Scott will direct.