Andrew Scott to star as Tom Ripley in Showtime series

Soon after Phoebe Waller-Bridge's "Fleabag" made a clean sweep at the Emmy Awards this year, the 'Hot Priest' Andrew Scott has signed on to play a book and film character Tom Ripley in a Showtime series based on Patricia Highsmith's novels.

Titled "Ripley", the show from writer-director Steven Zaillian, has received a straight-to-series order of eight episodes at Showtime.

"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," Showtime president of entertainment Gary Levine said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Prior to the upcoming series, the character made an appearance in 1999 film "The Talented Mr Ripley" starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Matt Damon in pivotal roles.

"Ripley" is being co-produced by Showtime and Endemol Shine North America in association with Entertainment 360 and Filmrights.