'Watchmen's' Matthew Goode Cast in Showtime's 'Vatican' Pilot

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Matthew Goode

Showtime's The Vatican has booked its first cast-member.

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Watchmen's Matthew Goode has been tapped to co-star in the drama pilot, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The Vatican, a contemporary thriller about spirituality, power and politics, is set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church. The potential series would explore the relationships and rivalries in addition to the mysteries and miracles behind the institution.

Goode will play play papal secretary Bernd Koch, the pope's closest confidante, who has a very powerful perch within the inner-circle of the Vatican.

STORY: Showtime Orders 'Vatican' Drama Pilot, Ridley Scott to Direct

Paul Attanasio (House, Donnie Brasco) penned the one-hour script, with Ridley Scott (Prometheus, The Good Wife) onboard to direct his first television pilot. Production on the Sony Pictures Television entry is expected to begin soon. Attanasio, Scott and David Zucker (The Good Wife) are onboard to exec produce.

Goode, who played Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias in Watchmen, the big-screen adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, also had roles in features Match Point and A Single Man. The casting would mark his first stateside series regular role should Vatican earn a full season at Showtime. He previously starred in the BBC mini Birdsong and drama Dancing on the Edge. Goode is repped by CAA and Simon Beresford. He'll next be seen in the Fox Searchlight feature Stoker.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit