Bruno Ganz as Pope in Ridley Scott’s THE VATICAN Pilot

From Hitler to Pope! Downfall star Bruno Ganz is set to play Pope Sixtus VI in Showtime’s upcoming drama pilot The Vatican!

Ganz will join previously announced Anna Friel and Kyle Chandler who are already set to star in this contemporary thriller which comes from Ridley Scott. It’s Scott’s first television pilot, so we’re definitely ready to give them a try…

At this moment we know that Ridley Scott will direct the pilot from a script written by Paul Attanasio, which is set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic Church.

In other words, the show is described as a contemporart thriller that will explore spirituality, power and politics.

Bruno Ganz comes on board to play Pope Sixtus VI, who is described as unassuming and an introspective caretaker of the Church who struggles with his own legacy and how history will judge his papacy.

As for the rest of the cast Kyle Chandler is already set to play Cardinal Thomas Duffy, a charismatic archbishop of New York, while Anna Friel plays his very secular, hard-living younger sister.

The Vatican will also star Matthew Goode as Papal Secretary Bernd Koch and Sebastian Koch as Cardinal Marco Malerba.

Production starts next month, and Sony Pictures TV is producing with Scott Free and Showtime.

Stay tuned for more updates!