In this TV show based on a movie, based on a book, the plot is vaguely similar to its original incarnations. The story takes place in the same universe as the film, only 40 years later (which the pilot subtly nods to in a scene with a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of a newspaper headline).
In this story, Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) has become somewhat disillusioned with the church (reminiscent of the Father Karras character from the film) when he begins having vivid dreams of another priest, Father Marcus Lang (Ben Daniels), performing a violent exorcism in Mexico City halfway across the world (who seems like the Father Merrin character). Once they finally meet and Father Tomas discovers his dreams weren't dreams at all, they must work together to defeat a demon that has taken up residence in a young girl who goes to Father Tomas's church.
