The acclaimed new TV show, The Young Pope, will be premiering in South Africa on ShowMax first.

The show, starring Jude Law, sees Pius XIII, the first American Pope, steering a sinister new path for the Church.

The series was created, directed and written by Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino and most of the show was filmed in Italy with the final scenes shot in Cape Town.

Now South African viewers can catch the whole series on ShowMax from 13 April.
Seasons:

1 season, 10 episodes. (Season 2 is currently being written.)
Starring:
  • Jude Law as Lenny Belardo/Pope Pius XIII. 
  • Diane Keaton as Sister Mary. 
  • James Cromwell as Cardinal Michael Spencer.
  • Silvio Orlando as Cardinal Voiello.
  • Scott Shepherd as Cardinal Dussolier.
  • Cécile De France as Sofia.
  • What’s it about?



Young and charming, newly elected Pius XIII, aka Lenny Belardo, is the first American Pope in history. His ascension appears to be the result of a simple, effective media strategy implemented by the College of Cardinals.

In the Vatican, however, the prevailing wisdom is the church's leaders have chosen a mysterious figure as their guiding force. And Pius XIII proves to be the most mysterious and contradictory of them all.
What are the critics saying?



Tom Long from The Detroit News writes: "Lush, often surreal, filled with contradictory characters and backstabbing intrigue, The Young Pope is one of the more remarkable television shows in memory."

Ben Travers from Indiewire writes: "The Young Pope is wickedly funny and deeply insightful."

Hank Stuever from The Washington Post says: "Despite the pace, the show is a chilling, challenging and visually stunning piece of work."

Variety’s Maureen Ryan writes: "The spontaneity rumbling through The Young Pope illuminates the unruly possibilities of human and spiritual connection, and its sly, deadpan wit is often a delight."

The Daily Beast’s Kevin Fallon says: "It’s the kind of blank canvas needed to host Sorrentino’s compelling strangeness, making The Young Pope alternatingly addicting and infuriating, like the most interesting ambitious dramas competing to make noise in the age of #PeakTV."


Watch the trailer here: