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The Borgias

  • TV Series
  • 2011–20132011–2013
  • TV-MATV-MA
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
51K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,119
71
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Borgias (2011)
Trailer 2 for The Borgias: The First Season
Play trailer3:07
6 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • History

In the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.In the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.In the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.

IMDb RATING
7.9/10
51K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,119
71
  • Creator
    • Neil Jordan
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Irons
    • François Arnaud
    • Holliday Grainger
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Neil Jordan
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Irons
    • François Arnaud
    • Holliday Grainger
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 102User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 16 wins & 55 nominations total

    Episodes29

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos6

    The Borgias: The First Season
    Trailer 3:07
    The Borgias: The First Season
    The Borgias: The Second Season
    Trailer 3:31
    The Borgias: The Second Season
    The Borgias: The First Season
    Trailer 3:26
    The Borgias: The First Season
    The Borgias
    Trailer 0:48
    The Borgias
    Borgias, The: Season 2 (Brazil/Portugese Trailer)
    Trailer 3:32
    Borgias, The: Season 2 (Brazil/Portugese Trailer)
    Borgias: Season 1, The (Brazil/Portugese Trailer)
    Trailer 3:28
    Borgias: Season 1, The (Brazil/Portugese Trailer)

    Photos216

    Jeremy Irons and François Arnaud in The Borgias (2011)
    Jeremy Irons, Holliday Grainger, and Sebastian De Souza in The Borgias (2011)
    Holliday Grainger and François Arnaud in The Borgias (2011)
    The Borgias (2011)
    Jeremy Irons, Matias Varela, and François Arnaud in The Borgias (2011)
    Michel Muller and Mark Noble in The Borgias (2011)
    Holliday Grainger and Sebastian De Souza in The Borgias (2011)
    Jeremy Irons, Peter Sullivan, and François Arnaud in The Borgias (2011)
    Holliday Grainger, Luke Allen-Gale, and Sebastian De Souza in The Borgias (2011)
    Jeremy Irons in The Borgias (2011)
    Jeremy Irons and François Arnaud in The Borgias (2011)
    Jeremy Irons and François Arnaud in The Borgias (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jeremy Irons
    Jeremy Irons
    • Rodrigo Borgiaas Rodrigo Borgia
    29 episodes29 eps • 2011–2013
    François Arnaud
    François Arnaud
    • Cesare Borgiaas Cesare Borgia
    29 episodes29 eps • 2011–2013
    Holliday Grainger
    Holliday Grainger
    • Lucrezia Borgiaas Lucrezia Borgia
    29 episodes29 eps • 2011–2013
    Peter Sullivan
    Peter Sullivan
    • Cardinal Ascanio Sforzaas Cardinal Ascanio Sforza
    28 episodes28 eps • 2011–2013
    Sean Harris
    Sean Harris
    • Michelettoas Micheletto
    27 episodes27 eps • 2011–2013
    Joanne Whalley
    Joanne Whalley
    • Vanozza Cattaneoas Vanozza Cattaneo
    25 episodes25 eps • 2011–2013
    Lotte Verbeek
    Lotte Verbeek
    • Giulia Farneseas Giulia Farnese
    20 episodes20 eps • 2011–2013
    Colm Feore
    Colm Feore
    • Giuliano Della Rovereas Giuliano Della Rovere
    20 episodes20 eps • 2011–2013
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    • Cardinal Versuccias Cardinal Versucci
    18 episodes18 eps • 2011–2013
    David Oakes
    David Oakes
    • Juan Borgiaas Juan Borgia
    16 episodes16 eps • 2011–2012
    Bosco Hogan
    Bosco Hogan
    • Cardinal Piccolominias Cardinal Piccolomini
    16 episodes16 eps • 2011–2013
    Gina McKee
    Gina McKee
    • Caterina Sforzaas Caterina Sforza
    13 episodes13 eps • 2011–2013
    David Alpay
    David Alpay
    • Calvinoas Calvino
    12 episodes12 eps • 2011–2012
    Julian Bleach
    Julian Bleach
    • Niccolo Machiavellias Niccolo Machiavelli
    11 episodes11 eps • 2011–2013
    Sebastian De Souza
    Sebastian De Souza
    • Alfonso of Aragonas Alfonso of Aragon
    11 episodes11 eps • 2012–2013
    Thure Lindhardt
    Thure Lindhardt
    • Rufioas Rufio
    10 episodes10 eps • 2013
    Steven Berkoff
    Steven Berkoff
    • Girolamo Savonarolaas Girolamo Savonarola
    8 episodes8 eps • 2011–2012
    Ruta Gedmintas
    Ruta Gedmintas
    • Ursula Bonadeoas Ursula Bonadeo
    8 episodes8 eps • 2011–2012
    • Creator
      • Neil Jordan
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

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    8.1
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    7.8
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    7.9
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    7.7
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    7.5
    The White Princess
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    6.8
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    Victoria
    8.2
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    8.0
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    7.4
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    7.9
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    8.3
    Poldark

    Storyline

    Edit
    The rise to power, and start of a dynasty, of the Borgia family. Rodrigo Borgia ascends within the Catholic Church, becoming Pope Alexander VI. The position brings with it many enemies, internal and state-based, and he has to use all of his abilities of diplomacy, ruthlessness, charm, and the power of the church to stay in power, and alive. Luckily, his children are equally ambitious. —grantss
    • brother sister sex
    • priest having sex with a woman
    • melodrama
    • sexual melodrama
    • female rights
    • 114 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Flesh and Blood
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • History
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • TV-MA
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The show was originally going to have four seasons, but when Neil Jordan thought about doing the fourth season, he didn't have the energy or even story to do ten episodes. Instead of that, he proposed Showtime to wrap up everything with a two-hour television movie. He even wrote the screenplay, but the network refused, arguing it was too expensive, and the season three ending worked as a series finale. Jordan eventually published the screenplay as an e-book called "The Borgia Apocalypse".
    • Goofs
      Caterina Sforza's eldest son's name was Ottaviano, not Benito. None of her sons were named Benito; in fact, Benito is not even an Italian name, but Spanish. The most prominent Italian named Benito, Benito Mussolini, was named after Mexican president Benito Juarez.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Episode #7.157 (2011)

    User reviews102

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Beautiful
    The best word to describe this show is 'beautiful'. The sets and costumes, like other reviewers have pointed out, are stunning. Everything flows together cohesively, and nothing feels out of place or awkward.

    Going into this show, from the buzz surrounding it, I was expecting a soap opera, akin to The Tudors. Calling it a soap opera, however, really doesn't do the show justice. From what I've seen thus far, I'd compare it more to HBO's Deadwood or Rome. Sure, it shares some elements with soap operas, but it's so much more. It's hard to describe without giving out spoilers, though, so you'll just have to see for yourself.
    helpful•103
    26
    • jacksondoug3
    • Apr 3, 2011

    FAQ1

    • What other shows feature the pope?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 3, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Hungary
      • Ireland
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Twitter
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 黑道教皇
    • Filming locations
      • Tata, Hungary
    • Production companies
      • Showtime Networks
      • Take 5 Productions
      • Octagon Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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