‘The Young Pope’ actor Jude Law talks about role as Lenny Belardo

"The Young Pope" lead actor Jude Law has recently talked about his character in the new television series. Law brings life to the fictional story of Lenny Belardo, portrayed in the series as first American pope Pius XIII.

In a press tour, Law has confessed that he had a hard time understanding the character when he thought of it as playing a Pope. So he focused into portraying Lenny, an orphan who felt like he was never loved enough as a young boy.

Law has shared that Lenny constructed a rule book. The book includes all the rules that he manoeuvred himself in the political world of the Catholic Church. The actor added that the book has served as Lenny’s guide to achieve so much at a young age, but it is also what estranged him.

Fans can keep an eye on Lenny’s habits, which include smoking. Law said it was inspired by a real Pope."It was inspired by Benedict, who apparently liked a cigarette after mass," Law said. "I thought that was a wonderful detail of character," he said.

Law has also revealed that wearing robes has been of great help for his performance. He said it has been twenty-something years ago when he underestimated what costumes could do. "In this role unlike almost any other, the potency of every day putting on -- whether it's the daily white robes or the more formal robes of ritual -- it had great impact and was incredibly helpful although at times very uncomfortable," he said.

The actor expressed delight that he is able to wear a pope’s attire at his 40s and not his 70s. He said he wonders about how older guys carry such stuff.

"The Young Pope" season 1 airs at 9PM Sundays and Mondays on HBO for the next five weeks. Fans in Australia can take advantage of HBO NOW to be able to catch the show.