HBO is adding yet another controversial show to its list of Emmy award-winning series.

The new show, "The Young Pope," will feature Jude Law in the title role, according to a press release by HBO.

Law will play Pius XIII, born Lenny Belardo, at the start of his pontificate. His great power gives way to his stubbornness, and he rejects the counsel of courtiers of the Vatican. And worse, he is unconcerned with the ramifications of his actions and determined to maintain authority.

Also cast in the series is Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton, who will play Sister Mary.

Sister Mary is a nun from the U.S. who takes up residency in Vatican City. She raised young Belardo and even helped him to get to the top of the Papacy. This lends credence to her role as a somewhat controlling character herself, given she still holds power over her once young charge. She uses him to get a position at the Vatican, maneuvering herself to be at his side throughout the reign.

"The  clear  signs  of  God's  existence. The  clear  signs  of  God's  absence.  How  faith  can  be  searched  for  and  lost.  The  greatness of  holiness,  so  great  as  to  be  unbearable  when  you  are  fighting  temptations  and  when  all you  can  do  is  to  yield  to  them.  The  inner  struggle  between  the  huge  responsibility  of  the Head  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  the  miseries  of  the  simple  man  that  fate  (or  the  Holy Spirit)  chose  as  Pontiff.  Finally,  how  to  handle  and  manipulate  power  in  a  state  whose dogma and moral imperative is the renunciation of power and selfless love towards one's neighbour. That is what 'The Young Pope' is about," director Paolo Sorrentino said.     

The series is a joint nationality production between HBO, Sky and Canal +. Filming for the series begins this week, and Sorrentino will direct all eight episodes in the show's first season.

Executive producers for the series include Lorenzo Mieli, Mario Gianani and John Lyons. Mieli and Gianani are producing on behalf of the company Wildside alongside Haut et Court TV.

The IMDb page for the show also lists Silvio Orlando, Allison Case and Joan Pascu on the cast.

The premiere date remains unannounced.