The New Pope: Sky Atlantic Series Status & How to Watch

Season: 1

#	Air Date	Episode Name
E1	Jan 10, 2020	Episode 1
E2	Jan 10, 2020	Episode 2
E3	Jan 17, 2020	Episode 3
E4	Jan 17, 2020	Episode 4
E5	Jan 24, 2020	Episode 5
E6	Jan 24, 2020	Episode 6
E7	Jan 31, 2020	Episode 7
E8	Jan 31, 2020	Episode 8
E9	Feb 07, 2020	Episode 9

Mark Series:

Watched / Unwatched

Mark Season 1:

Watched / Unwatched

Production Note - Limited Series

Production Type:

limited series

The New Pope is a standalone limited series that concluded its 9-episode run in February 2020. Created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, the series functioned as a high-concept sequel to The Young Pope, maintaining the same lavish production standards and philosophical depth. The project was filmed across various Italian locations, including a meticulous recreation of the Sistine Chapel at Cinecitta Studios, highlighting the massive scale and financial investment required for the production. This installment was specifically designed to bridge the gap between the coma of Lenny Belardo and the installation of a new pontiff, ensuring a focused narrative that avoided the pitfalls of indefinite serialization.

The story reached a definitive conclusion by reconciling the divergent paths of the two central figures, providing a finality that aligns with the creator vision of the series as a long-form cinematic experience. Because the production was built around the availability of high-profile international talent like Jude Law and John Malkovich, it was structured with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The series serves as a complete exploration of the fragility of the papacy, leaving no major plot threads unresolved and reinforcing its status as a self-contained piece of television history.

Created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. Co-produced by Sky Atlantic, HBO, and Canal+. Starring Jude Law and John Malkovich. Filmed at Cinecitta Studios and on location in Venice and Rome.

Confidence: 5% Last Refined: March 2026

Why Watch:

"Discover how Paolo Sorrentino’s ecclesiastical drama redefined the visual language of modern television through its unique blend of religious iconography and avant-garde fashion."

Series Analysis:

Paolo Sorrentino’s The New Pope remains a pinnacle of prestige television, blending the sacred with the profane through a lens of unparalleled aesthetic decadence. Following the provocative foundation of The Young Pope, this sequel expanded the Vatican’s walls into a surreal exploration of identity and power. By casting John Malkovich against Jude Law, the series challenged traditional depictions of religious authority, replacing stoic piety with human frailty and high-fashion sensibilities. Its legacy lies in its refusal to simplify the complexities of faith, opting instead for a dreamlike narrative that captured the global imagination. The show’s lasting impact lives in its daring visual language and philosophical depth. As whispers of a third installment occasionally surface, fans should set a reminder for any news regarding a potential revival.

Tone: Sophisticated, Intellectual, and Historically Reflective Last Updated: March 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

No, The New Pope is a standalone limited series and will not return for a second season. While creator Paolo Sorrentino has expressed interest in a third series to complete a thematic trilogy, this specific installment is a finished narrative.

The series is an original work written by Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello, and Stefano Bises rather than an adaptation of a book or true events. It serves as a fictional and cinematic exploration of the internal politics and spiritual crises within the modern Vatican.

The production was primarily filmed on location in Venice and Rome, featuring iconic landmarks like St. Mark's Square. Because filming inside the actual Vatican is restricted, the production built massive, detailed recreations of the Sistine Chapel and other interiors at Cinecitta Studios.

The complete limited series consists of nine episodes in total. Each episode was directed by Paolo Sorrentino and follows the transition of power between the characters played by Jude Law and John Malkovich.

Yes, The New Pope is the direct sequel to the 2016 series The Young Pope and continues the story of Lenny Belardo. It is designed as the second part of a planned anthology focused on the contemporary papacy.

The series stars Jude Law, who reprises his role as Pope Pius XIII, and John Malkovich as Sir John Brannox, who becomes Pope John Paul III. The cast is supported by returning actors such as Silvio Orlando, Cecile de France, and Ludivine Sagnier.

It is highly recommended to watch The Young Pope first because the plot of the second series relies heavily on the events and character arcs established in the first. The New Pope begins almost immediately after the medical crisis that concluded the previous installment.

FAQs Updated: March 2026