The Borgias (2011– )

The saga of a crime family in 1492 Italy.

Creator:

Neil Jordan

Stars:

Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 10 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jeremy Irons	...	Rodrigo Borgia (25 episodes, 2011-2013)
François Arnaud	...	Cesare Borgia (24 episodes, 2011-2013)
Holliday Grainger	...	Lucrezia Borgia (24 episodes, 2011-2013)
Peter Sullivan	...	Cardinal Ascanio Sforza (24 episodes, 2011-2013)
Joanne Whalley	...	Vanozza Cattaneo (22 episodes, 2011-2013)
Sean Harris	...	Micheletto (22 episodes, 2011-2013)
Colm Feore	...	Giuliano Della Rovere (20 episodes, 2011-2013)
Lotte Verbeek	...	Giulia Farnese (19 episodes, 2011-2013)
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Cardinal Versucci (18 episodes, 2011-2013)
David Oakes	...	Juan Borgia (16 episodes, 2011-2012)
Bosco Hogan	...	Cardinal Piccolomini (16 episodes, 2011-2013)

Storyline

Following the Borgia family as they rise to power in the Roman Catholic church. Rodrigo Borgia uses bribery, with the help of his son, to secure his position as Pope Alexander VI. But he has gained enemies in the College of Cardinals, who begin to plot against him. He must find alliances.

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Plot Keywords:

borgias | pope | clergyman | catholic church | king charles viii of france

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Taglines:

The Original Crime Family.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

Hungary Ireland Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bordžije

Filming Locations:

Tata, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Showtime Networks, Take 5 Productions, Octagon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally, season 1 was going to have ten episodes, but according to Neil Jordan they ran out of money and had to adapt to nine.

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Goofs

Caterina Sforza's eldest son's names was Ottaviano, not Benito. None of her sons were named Benito.

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Connections

Featured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #16.5 (2011)

User Reviews

Not a documentary

Not for the first time is it necessary to point out to several of the reviewers of "The Borgias" that the show is not a documentary. The creators have used a historical basis as a jumping-off point and then gone on a riff for the sake of poetic license, much like a jazz musician might do with a standard piece of music.

I think "The Borgias" is a fascinating show -- the story lines are excellent and the production values are breathtaking. Almost every scene looks as though it had been lifted in its entirety from a Renaissance painting.

I'm also amazed that at least one reviewer believes that Jeremy Irons cannot act. I'd be interested to hear what criteria that person has apropos of acting excellence. Jeremy Irons is a fine actor, one of the best.

I don't believe I'm alone in the hope that there will be a third season -- and many more seasons to come. The era is a cornucopia of rich material for a drama such as "The Borgias." Thank you, Neil Jordan, and the rest of the crew and cast. You've enriched my life.