What's the story?
The Pope.
The PR guru and crisis fixer in Scandal?
No, that's Olivia Pope played by Kerry Washington. I'm talking about The New Pope, starring Jude Law and John Malkovich. The nine-episode drama will launch on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV on January 12.
Isn't that The Young Pope?
The New Pope is a continuation of the 2016 series The Young Pope. It will see Law reprise his role as Pope Pius XIII, with Malkovich as Pope John Paul III, the titular "New Pope".
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What's the lowdown?
Pius XIII is in a coma. After events take an unexpected twist, the Cardinal Secretary of State succeeds in having Sir John Brannox, a moderate English aristocrat, placed on the papal throne and adopting the name John Paul III.
The new pope seems perfect. But he harbours as yet unspecified secrets. Nor will it be easy to replace the charismatic Pius XIII who, hanging between life and death, is idolised by a loyal following (one word: trunks).
What else?
There are guest star appearances from Basic Instinct's Sharon Stone and controversial rocker Marilyn Manson.
READ MORE: Screen Shot: Penn Badgley returns in Netflix psychological thriller series You
Did I read that correctly?
You did. Manson and Stone are reportedly big fans of The Young Pope and its director Paolo Sorrentino. Details of their roles are being kept tightly under wraps.
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