This is what Jude Law looks like as Pope Pius XIII

The first photo of Jude Law in The Young Pope has been released.

The first official photo of Jude Law portraying a fictional American-born pope has been released.

Law's character is the focal point of the new eight-part series called The Young Pope.

The new photo shows Law, as Pope Pius XIII, soaking up the sun in Rome as he reclines on a chair, white boater hat on his head.

A brief synopsis describes the show as telling the "controversial story of the beginning of Pius XIII's Pontificate, born Lenny Belardo".

Law's character is said to be "complex and conflicted", and is set to face turbulent times that will test his faith and more.

Directed by Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino, the show is a co-production by Sky, HBO and Canal+.

In 2014, his film The Great Beauty took home the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Sorrentino has described The Young Pope as a story of "faith" and how people "handle and manipulate power".

He went on to say it is also about: "The clear signs of God's existence.

The clear signs of God's absence. How faith can be searched for and lost."

Oscar-winner Diane Keaton has also signed up to star alongside Law, as a nun called Sister Mary.

Keaton won the best actress Oscar in 1977 for Annie Hall, but shot to fame in The Godfather in 1972, playing the wife of Al Pacino's mafia boss.

Her career includes other successful roles in The First Wives Club and Marvin's Room.

- PAA