Ranking Every HBO Miniseries From Worst To Best
9. The Young Pope
His resume is packed with huge movies, but by a mile the role of Pope Pius XIII is the finest of Jude Law’s illustrious career. Like Hugh Grant and Matthew McConnaughey before him, the Englishman has made the wise choice to steer away from the young man’s game of heartthrob parts, and this incredibly bizarre drama fits him like a glove.
Law’s performance is immensely charismatic and confident from the off. His incoming Pope is a shock to the system for the Catholic church - though young and American, he swiftly rejects the more liberal leanings of his predecessor, pushing a fire and brimstone style of Popeing that quickly has the cardinals muttering their concern behind his back.
The story moves slowly, reveling in the lush scenery and moments of outright surreality - a scene involving a kangaroo is particularly wild. But the political dealings and scheming rife in the Vatican makes for provocative drama.
It’s Law’s show, but the cast is full of standouts, including Diane Keaton as a nun, James Cromwell as a curmudgeonly mentor, and Silvio Orlando in a delightful turn as a fretful cardinal. This is singular, weird telly, and a true delight.