A new Italian mini series about the world’s biggest religious leader is heading to Netflix. Itay’s Mediaset TV network just announced they’ve sold their four part Pope Francis mini series Call Me Francis to the streaming giant for an undisclosed amount.
The series follows Jorge Maria Bergoglio in his journey from Jesuit priest to one of the most groundbreaking pontiffs in history – Pope Francis.
Netflix will distribute the series in over 40 territories around the world outside of Europe. Mediaset will actually retain the European distribution rights for now, even though Netflix is said to have their eye on those as well.
Originally conceived and filmed as a TV series, Call Me Francis is directed by Italian filmmaker Daniele Luchetti, and stars Argentinian actor Rodrigo De la Serna as the man who would eventually be come Pope Francis. The series follows Bergoglio’s early life in Argentina, depicts how how he finds his calling as a priest, and finishes as he rises through the ranks to become an archbishop, then cardinal, then pope.
A feature film version of Call Me Francis was released in Italian cinemas in December of 2015, but Netflix has not purchased rights to that version yet. The TV version of Call Me Francis will air in Italy Dec. 8, the pope’s 80th birthday.
