Showtime decided to stop moving forward with their high profile drama The Vatican.
According to Deadline, time ran out in regards to cast options. The outcome was expected because the pilot was not as strong as it needed to be.
Paul Attanasio wrote The Vatican and Ridley Scott directed. It was to star Kyle Chandler. The Vatican was described as a modern thriller about spirituality, power and politics in a world of modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church.
Showtime does have two other pilots moving forward, drama The Affair and Philip Seymour Hoffman-starring comedy Happyish (formerly Trending Down). They also have upcoming direct-to-series genre drama Penny Dreadful. Showtime’s decision-making on new scripted shows is tough and the network can get meticulous. Considering the network’s track record with shows like Homeland and House of Lies, they have reason to be.