Showmax brings “The Young Pope” to Africa

13 April 2017

Showmax brings “The Young Pope” to Africa

In an African first, Showmax has secured the rights to the critically acclaimed joint HBO and Sky production The Young Pope starring Jude Law and Diane Keaton. The controversial series, which portrays the first American Pope as simultaneously hip, mysterious and ultra-conservative, was directed by Oscar-winner Paolo Sorrentino.

13 April 2017

“stunning, thoughtful and visually arresting” – The Guardian

“gorgeous and appealingly weird”  – The New York Times

“The Young Pope is confounding, captivating and one of the most unsettling shows in years”  – The Washington Post

In an African first, the critically acclaimed new series The Young Pope is available exclusively on Showmax.

The premise of The Young Pope is simple: a good-looking young American is elected as the head of the Catholic Church by elderly cardinals, who assume that an easily manipulated, media-friendly Pope will increase the Church’s popularity. What they get is a Cherry Coke Zero addicted smoker, familiar with the pop culture of Daft Punk and Banksy, yet deeply conservative and set on charting a new authoritarian path for the Papacy.

Starring Jude Law (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Alfie, The Talented Mr Ripley) as Lenny Belardo, now Pius XIII, and Diane Keaton (The Godfather, Finding Dory) as the nun who raised him, The Young Pope was directed by Paolo Sorrentino, who won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar for The Great Beauty in 2014.

The 10 episode first season sees power-hungry Pius XIII choose anonymity, refusing to pose for photos or travel, preferring to transform the position from approachable ambassador into something more distant and sinister. Law’s character sets about a radical transformation of the Vatican, someone from outside the system throwing out centuries of tradition and received wisdom to the horror of those within. Plot and intrigue are, of course, integral to the story.

With parallels to present-day American politics, The Young Pope is unsettling yet fascinating. Thanks to its incredible cast, beautiful cinematography and more than a little controversy, The Young Pope is set to become a hit for Showmax.

The Young Pope premiers on Showmax on 13 April 2017.

For more information on Showmax and to set up a 14-day free trial, visit www.showmax.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyP5h7koRTs

Original African stories by local talent

Spitch Nzawumbi hosts Unfollowed S2

Unfollowed S1-2

Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S2 now, with new episodes weekly.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
The Hot Seat on Showmax

The Hot Seat S1

The Hot Seat promises bold banter as some of Kenya’s biggest celebrities face the heat. Stream now, with new episodes weekly.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya
Nairobi Bachelor S1 on Showmax

Nairobi Bachelor S1

Nairobi Bachelor follows the journey of young bachelors and singletons on a quest to find their perfect match. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya
Spooksoeker S1 on Showmax

Spooksoeker S1

When Warno Alberts turns 15, he suddenly becomes aware of ghosts in his dorpie – and it’s now his job to banish them. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
4Play is on Showmax

4Play

4Play follows four men who, despite their chaotic personal lives, find friendship, love and perseverance in Nairobi’s concrete jungle. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya
Tollie en Manila

Die Tollie & Manila Show

A bold talk show where SA celebs join drag queens Tollie Parton and Manila von Teez for an evening of conversation and games… in drag. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
The Station Strangler on Showmax

The Station Strangler

The Station Strangler is a true-crime documentary investigating the serial killer who is believed to have killed 21 young boys and one adult from the late 80s to the mid-90s on the Cape Flats. Now available to stream.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Black & Blue on Showmax

Black & Blue S1

Black & Blue, a Showmax Original police-based mockumentary series, now streaming, with new episode every Wednesday.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya
Youngins S2, now on Showmax
Soft Life, now streaming on Showmax