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Showtime Orders 'The Vatican' Pilot, To Be Directed By Ridley Scott

Showtime Orders 'The Vatican,' Ridley Scott To Direct
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 31: Director Sir Ridley Scott attends the world premiere of Prometheus at Empire Leicester Square on May 31, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Showtime has ordered "The Vatican," a contemporary drama thriller centered around the Catholic church, the network announced Thursday.

"The Vatican" is the cable network's first pilot order for 2013, written by Oscar-nominated Paul Attanasio and set to be directed by Sir Ridley Scott. The project will be Scott's television directorial debut.

According to Showtime, the drama focuses on "spirituality, power and politics –- set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church. The series will explore the relationships and rivalries as well as the mysteries and miracles behind one of the world's most hidden institutions."

Attanasio and Scott will executive produce, along with "The Good Wife's" David Zucker. Production on the pilot will begin in 2013 for series consideration.

According to Deadline, the project has been compared to "The Sopranos" and "Upstairs Downstairs" and has been a passion project for Attanasio for a number of years.

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