Posted in: Showtime, TV | Tagged: andrew scott, books, cable, fleabag, moriarty, novels, patricia highsmith, ripley, sexy priest, sherlock, showtime, Steven Zaillian, streaming, television, the talented mr. ripley, tv

"Ripley": "Fleabag" Star Andrew Scott Set as Tom Ripley for Showtime Series

Riding high off the series' huge Emmy Awards success, Fleabag co-star Andrew Scott will be venturing into the world of Patricia Highsmith's bestselling Tom Ripley novels for Showtime's drama series adaptation Ripley. The eight-episode order stems from Oscar and Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List, The Night Of), who is set to write and direct the first season.

In the series, Scott's Tom Ripley is a grifter barely scraping by in early 1960's New York who is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to try to convince his vagabond son to return home. Tom's acceptance of the job is the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder.

"We are so thrilled to have the supremely talented filmmaker, Steve Zaillian, adapt the singular saga of Tom Ripley from Patricia Highsmith's novels as an ongoing series for Showtime. With Andrew Scott, whose charisma knows no bounds, inhabiting the iconic lead role, we feel confident that this will be a special one."

– Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks

Scott has become a major name and a familiar face in a number of buzzworthy series over the years. Along with his role as "Sexy Priest" in Fleabag, Scott is also known for his portrayal of Moriarty in BBC's Benedict Cumberbatch-starrer Sherlock. The actor has also appeared in Netflix's Black Mirror and can be seen in HBO's upcoming His Dark Materials. Scott is also an Olivier Award-winning theatre actor whose recent work includes Present Laughter at The Old Vic, Hamlet, and Birdland.

Ripley is co-produced by Showtime and Endemol Shine North America in association with Entertainment 360 and Filmrights. Zaillian is set to executive produce the series alongside Garrett Basch, Guymon Casady, Ben Forkner, Sharon Levy, and Philipp Keel of Diogenes. Scott is also serving as a producer on the project.

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