True Confessions

Jonathan Pryce and Sir Anthony Hopkins star in a compelling drama about conflict in the Vatican

The Vatican’s reputation for secrecy and intrigue has provided the backdrop for some memorable movies and TV shows over the years, from Angels & Demons to the Jude Law series The Young Pope. Now, the Catholic enclave lends itself to a fascinating real-life story in the Netflix drama The Two Popes.

The compelling one-off film stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI and follows the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the succession of Pope Francis, played by Jonathan Pryce, in 2013.

It’s penned by Oscar-nominated writer Anthony McCarten, whose credits include The Theory of Everything and Bohemian Rhapsody, who took his inspiration from seeing Pope Francis preach in St Peter’s Square.

‘I asked myself why would Benedict, a very traditional Pope, have done the most untraditional thing and be the first Pope in over 600 years to resign?’ says McCarten.

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