The "hot priest" is about to become a hot scammer! Fleabag and Sherlock actor Andrew Scott is to star in a new TV adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Scott will play the title character, Tom Ripley, a New York City con artist who's hired by a wealthy businessman to bring back his pleasure-seeking son from a lavish trip to Italy. Patricia Highsmith's psychological thriller novel, published in 1956, was previously adapted into a 1999 movie starring Matt Damon as Ripley and Jude Law as the playboy son, Dickie Greenleaf, whom Ripley becomes increasingly obsessed with. Gwyneth Paltrow also starred as Dickie Greenleaf's girlfriend, Marge Sherwood.

There's no word yet on who'll play Dickie Greenleaf or Marge Sherwood in the new TV adaptation, which is being steered by writer-director Steven Zaillian (The Night Of) for 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," said Showtime president's of entertainment Gary Levine. "With Andrew Scott, whose charisma knows no bounds, inhabiting the iconic lead role, we feel confident that this will be a special one."

Zaillian will write and direct all eight episodes of the first season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Showtime hasn't said exactly how The Talented Mr. Ripley will become an "ongoing series," but if the adaptation is successful, there are four other Patricia Highsmith novels featuring Tom Ripley which could potentially provide the source material.

Scott's career is definitely on the rise post-Fleabag; he's recently signed up to appear in season two of BBC and HBO's adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. In the meantime, we'll see him in Sam Mendes' war movie 1917, which opens December 25. His co-stars in that one include his old Sherlock nemesis, Benedict Cumberbatch.

Oh, and if you loved Andrew Scott in Sherlock and Fleabag, why not check out our recent guide to his other memorable roles?

Who do you think should play Dickie Greenleaf in the new adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley?