Andrew Scott of Fleabag will star in the drama series "Ripley" at Showtime – Deadline

Showtime has given a formal order in eight episodes to Steven Zaillian's drama series Ripley, based on the best quintet of Tom Ripley novels by Patricia Highsmith, with Andrew Scott, just released his first role in the second season of Flea bag, put in star in the title role. Oscar and Golden Globe, Zaillian (Emmy nominated) (List of Schindler, The Night Of) will write and direct the entire first season.

In the series, Tom Ripley (Scott), a scribe who traveled to New York in the early 1960s, is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to convince his wandering son to return home. Tom's acceptance of this work is the first step in a complex life of deception, fraud and murder.

Zaillian will use the five novels written by Highsmith – The talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley Under Ground, The game that followed Ripley, Ripley's Game and Ripley Underwater – A roadmap to show Ripley's progression from rogue to serial killer. In the adaptation of the feature film by Anthony Minghella in 1999, The talented Mr. Ripley, the main role was played by Matt Damon.

Showtime landed Ripley in April with a direct commitment to the series.

"We're really excited that the extremely talented director, Steve Zaillian, is adapting Tom Ripley's singular saga from Patricia Highsmith's novels to an ongoing series for Showtime," said Gary Levine, president of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. "With Andrew Scott, whose charisma has no limit, taking a leading role, we are confident that it will be a special role."

On Sunday, Bag with chips Creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge credits Scott with the success of the second season of the show, which earned him six Emmy Awards, including Best Comedy Series. "Season 2 would not have happened and would not have exploded as if that was not the case for Andrew Scott who came into our Bag with chips world like a whirlwind and gave a performance with such depth and complexity that elevated it all, "she said in her thank you speech for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Known for his representation of the priest in Flea bag, Scott won the BAFTA Best Supporting Actress award for his performance of Moriarty in Sherlock and the British Film Independent Award for his work in CBS Films Pride. His other recent TV credits include Its dark materials and Black mirror. Scott is also a Olivier Award-winning theater actor whose latest work includes Laughter present to the old vic, Hamlet and Birdland.

Zaillian won Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA screenplay awards for Schindler's list and was also nominated for three honors for his work on Moneyball. He received two other Oscar nominations, for New York Gangs and The alarms, as well as BAFTA names for New York Gangs and American gangster. In addition, he received Emmy nominations both in writing and in direction and won the DGA Award for The night of that he produced and which was also nominated for an outstanding exceptional series.

Ripley is co-produced by Showtime and Endemol Shine North America in association with Entertainment 360 and Filmrights. The executive producers are Steven Zaillian, Garrett Basch, Guymon Casady, Ben Forkner, Sharon Levy and Philipp Keel of Diogenes. Scott will serve as producer.

Endemol Shine North America's scripted series portfolio also includes Utopia on Amazon and Almost family on Fox.