The Young Pope

Set inside Vatican walls, the series follows Lenny Belardo, an enigmatic American chosen to lead the Catholic Church as the pope. He is the youngest to hold the office in centuries and arrives with a complex mix of innocence, charisma, and shrewd calculation. His papacy promises to shake up an institution long defined by ritual and secrecy, yet its every move is weighed by a web of power plays, alliances, and factions. As Lenny asserts control, the church's traditions collide with modern pressures, media attention, and internal conspiracies, forcing him to define both faith and authority on his own terms.

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, The Young Pope premiered in 2016 as an original HBO and Sky limited series that reimagines Vatican life. Created by Sorrentino with Peppe Fiore and Matteo Menduni, it centers Jude Law's Lenny Belardo.

The Young Pope drew attention from major awards bodies, including Golden Globes nominations for its lead performances. Critics highlighted Jude Law for his audacious turn and appreciated the show's audacious visual style, while the craft of production design, wardrobe, and music earned frequent praise.

Its lush, cinematic approach and deliberately provocative take on church life left a mark beyond the screen. The Young Pope sparked conversations about power and public perception, with standout imagery and fashion becoming talking points, influencing how prestige TV portrays sacred spaces and the people who inhabit them. Its fashion and iconography linger in conversations about TV aesthetics.

Critics praised its bold direction, lush visuals, and performance while noting its dense symbolism and pace. The series explores themes of authority, faith, and personal identity, weighing tradition against modern scrutiny. It's a stylish meditation on power that asks how charisma and belief shape leadership. Viewers also debated the ethics of the pope's methods and the show's willingness to blur sacred and secular lines.