Los Angeles, Sep 26 (IANS): "Fleabag" star Andrew Scott will soon be seen in a series titled "Ripley", which is based on Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley novels.

Scott, who won over audiences with his portrayal of the 'hot priest' in the second season of hit "Fleabag", will be seen as the titular lead in eight-episode series, reports "variety.com".

Scott's Ripley is being described as a grifter scraping by in early 1960s in New York, who is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to try to convince his son to return home. Ripley's acceptance of the job is the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder.

Steve Zaillian is on board to write and direct the entire first season of the Showtime series. The casting and series order were announced by Showtime presidents of entertainment Gary Levine and Jana Winograde.

"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," said Levine.

"With Andrew Scott, whose charisma knows no bounds, inhabiting the iconic lead role, we feel confident that this will be a special one," added Levine.