Diane Keaton will star alongside Jude Law in director Paolo Sorrentino‘s eight-episode HBO drama series “The Young Pope,” the premium cable network announced Tuesday.
Keaton will play Sister Mary, a nun from the United States who is now living in Vatican City. Law takes the lead as the fictional Pius XIII, formerly known as Lenny Belardo.
The series is a joint production of Sky, HBO and Canal +, of which production will begin this week. All eight episodes are to be directed by Sorrentino, who is also known for directing the Academy Award-winning film, “The Great Beauty.”
“The Young Pope” tells 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 will face 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 is being produced by Wildside, co-produced by Haut et Court TV and MEDIAPRO, and executive produced for Wildside by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani together with John Lyons.
Executive producers for Haut et Court TV are Caroline Benjo, Carole Scotta and Simon Arnal.
Keaton is an award-winning actress, who received an Academy Award for Best Actress for “Annie Hall,” and Academy-Award nominations for “Something’s Gotta Give,” “Reds” and “Marvin’s Room.” Some of her other movies includes “The Godfather Trilogy,” “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” and “Father of the Bride.”
Keaton can add directorial credits to her resume: She directed the documentary “Heaven,” the feature films “Unstrung Heroes” and “Hanging Up,” the TV pilot for “Pasadena” and an episode of “China Beach.”
She also worked with Gus Van Sant on the HBO Film, “Elephant” as a producer, which won the Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.