HBO unleashed a trailer for The Young Pope, a ten-episode limited drama series premiering Sunday, Jan 1.

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, the series tells the controversial story of Lenny Belardo (Jude Law), also known as Pius XIII, the first American Pope in history. Young and alluring, his election appears to be the result of a calculated media strategy on the part of the College of Cardinals. His character is both complex and conflicted. He is a man of great power who is stubbornly resistant to the Vatican courtiers, unconcerned with the implications to his authority.

During the series, Belardo will face losing those closest to him and the constant fear of being abandoned, even by his God. He is, however, not afraid of undertaking the millennial mission of defending that same God and the world representing Him.

The series also features Diane Keaton, who stars as Sister Mary, the nun who raised Pius and helped him ascend to the papacy. The trailer tugs at the suggestion of whether she or Pius is in control, hinting that the new pontiff is out for absolute power and feels fully empowered to do so.

“Everyone is afraid of you,” Sister Mary says to him. “That’s not exactly true,” he coldly responds. “But it will be.”

The Young Pope premieres Sunday, January 15th at 9 p.m. on HBO.

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