Watch: New trailer for The New Pope starring Jude Law and John Malkovich

A new trailer for HBO's deep dive into Vatican City, The New Pope, starring Jude Law and John Malkovich, has dropped today.

Created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, The New Pope is a continuation of 2016 series The Young Pope.

It stars Jude Law as Pius XIII, also known as Lenny Belardo, the first American Pope in history, and John Malkovich as Sir John Brannox, Lenny's successor.

The slick and slightly eerie trailer sees Pius XIII (Law) in a coma, and replaced by Brannox (Malkovich), who is haunted by Pius XIII as it becomes clear it will not be easy to replace the charismatic former pope.

The visually stunning 9-episode series - to screen on SoHo starting on January 16 - will follow several scandals surrounding the church, while Brannox's fragility and secrets are unveiled.

Jude Law, director Paolo Sorrentino and John Malkovich at the Venice Film Festival. Photo / Getty Images.

The returning cast comprises Silvio Orlando, Javier Cámara, Cécile de France, with new faces joining Malkovich including Henry Goodman, Ulrich Thomsen, Mark Ivanir, Yuliya Snigir and Massimo Ghini.

Sharon Stone and Marilyn Manson will also guest star.

The previous trailer for the long-awaited series depicted Law parading in Speedos along the beach, turning heads of bikini clad women.

The Holiday star showed off his washboard abs as he strutted along the sand.

He also reportedly dyed his hair silver for the role, according to Daily Mail.

In 2017, Law dispelled claims he would reprise his role as the pope.

Speaking to Variety at the time, he said: "It wasn't that I wrapped it up assuming that I was done with it but I went in, we went in, to make a 10-hour film, and we did that …

"To say that there wasn't room for more, I'd have been foolhardy.

"But it was clear from the get-go that we thought this is a great character and it's a great world that he's created here.

"But yeah, I didn't go in thinking I'll be doing this for the next 10 years."

The New Pope will screen weekly on SoHo on Thursdays at 8.30pm from January 16