Society of Editors’ Scoop of the Year and Investigation of the Year. Set in the 1980s, the series will follow Marckinkus from his beginnings as Pope Paul VI’s unofficial bodyguard to his tenure at the helm of the Vatican’s finances. As is told in Midolo’s book, Marcinkus — who was known to say, “You can’t run the Church on Hail Marys” — “wielded immense power during an era of astonishing scandals involving embezzlement, money laundering, kidnapping, poison and alleged staged suicide,” according to a press release.
Fabel Entertainment is leading development and will produce alongside the Italy-based Picomedia, a Fremantle company. I’m grateful for the chance to finally bring to life a complex man who lives in the grey area between sinner and saint. His is a cautionary tale for our swiftly changing times.” Added Henrik Bastin, CEO of Fabel Entertainment: “Ten pages into Manu’s book proposal, we knew we wanted to make this series.
In a way it’s a very American story — rising from the top from humble beginnings — only this time, the setting is the Vatican and the man is doing the Pope’s dirty work. Tom Fontana was our first and last call. No showrunner knows the politics of Rome and the Vatican better, and we’re thrilled to have his unparalleled wit and fearlessness bringing it to life.” For Midolo, working with Fontana is a dream come true “as a longstanding ‘Oz’ fan since I was about 10,” he said.
I can’t wait to see him in action.” Roberto Sessa, Founder & CEO, Picomedia, said: “Marcinkus was an American, but his story takes us deep into a chapter of Italian history that still raises difficult questions. It’s a story with international reach and very Italian roots. We’re delighted to be working with Fabel and Tom to bring both to the screen.” Midolo is represented by Eugenie Furniss at 42.
Raffaella De Angelis, head of literary acquisitions, global drama at Fremantle spearheaded the literary acquisition for Fabel Entertainment. Fontana is represented by UTA and Fabel Entertainment is represented by CAA.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
