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The Borgias

  • TV Series
  • 2011–2013
  • Tous publics
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
56K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,161
137
Jeremy Irons, Holliday Grainger, and François Arnaud in The Borgias (2011)
Trailer 2 for The Borgias: The First Season
Play trailer3:07
6 Videos
99+ Photos
Costume DramaHistorical EpicPeriod DramaCrimeDramaHistoryRomance

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.

  • Creator
    • Neil Jordan
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Irons
    • François Arnaud
    • Holliday Grainger
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    56K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,161
    137
    • Creator
      • Neil Jordan
    • Stars
      • Jeremy Irons
      • François Arnaud
      • Holliday Grainger
    • 119User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
  • See production info 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 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)

    Photos215

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    + 209
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Jeremy Irons
    Jeremy Irons
    • Rodrigo Borgia
    • 2011–2013
    François Arnaud
    François Arnaud
    • Cesare Borgia
    • 2011–2013
    Holliday Grainger
    Holliday Grainger
    • Lucrezia Borgia
    • 2011–2013
    Peter Sullivan
    Peter Sullivan
    • Cardinal Ascanio Sforza
    • 2011–2013
    Sean Harris
    Sean Harris
    • Micheletto
    • 2011–2013
    Joanne Whalley
    Joanne Whalley
    • Vanozza Cattaneo
    • 2011–2013
    Lotte Verbeek
    Lotte Verbeek
    • Giulia Farnese
    • 2011–2013
    Colm Feore
    Colm Feore
    • Giuliano Della Rovere
    • 2011–2013
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    • Cardinal Versucci
    • 2011–2013
    David Oakes
    David Oakes
    • Juan Borgia
    • 2011–2012
    Bosco Hogan
    Bosco Hogan
    • Cardinal Piccolomini
    • 2011–2013
    Gina McKee
    Gina McKee
    • Caterina Sforza
    • 2011–2013
    David Alpay
    David Alpay
    • Calvino
    • 2011–2012
    Julian Bleach
    Julian Bleach
    • Niccolo Machiavelli
    • 2011–2013
    Sebastian De Souza
    Sebastian De Souza
    • Alfonso of Aragon
    • 2012–2013
    Thure Lindhardt
    Thure Lindhardt
    • Rufio
    • 2013
    Steven Berkoff
    Steven Berkoff
    • Girolamo Savonarola
    • 2011–2012
    Ruta Gedmintas
    Ruta Gedmintas
    • Ursula Bonadeo
    • 2011–2012
    • Creator
      • Neil Jordan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews119

    7.955.6K
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    Featured reviews

    10jacksondoug3

    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.
    10Mick3-699-504779

    Why the low ratings?

    This TV-series is brilliant so how can it only have 7,9 in rating? The first season was excellent and the second was even better at some points. I am watching the third season right now and it's good! The soundtrack alone is stunning and sometimes i find myself distracted by the atmospheric music that is played during the scenes. The actors are very good and the overall story is both unpredictable and immersive. The costumes as well are really well done, i have to say everything is good with The Borgias and those who downvoted the series obviously doesn't see the brilliance in it.

    The Borgias is one show you shouldn't miss!
    10Msbnitski

    Why stop at 3 seasons?

    This show had so much more to give. I have watched it more than 5 times and every time I say, there were so many more stories to be told.

    Why didn't they continue with Cesera's wife in France get some air time? Why did Micoletto continue on with his story? So many more to invest in. Lucresia, she married into a family where her husband could've become someone.

    I liked this story. I can't imagine why they dumped it after 3 seasons. The characters were really believable and the father, the Pope was hungry for power.

    Get the writers back and please carry on the wonderful story line.
    9lilguyollie

    Historical Accuracy isn't everything

    Like many people who watch this series and others like it, I often pick out moments which are fictional or an historical event that is slightly altered. It doesn't really matter though especially if what the writers come up with instead is still interesting and entertaining.

    The first series focuses on the Borgia family's rise to prominence and the Popes children's gradual loss of innocence who grow into corrupt, murderous figures. The second series then follows Lucrezia's several love interest stories and the bitter sibling rivalry between Cesare and Juan. Finally, the third series follows the Pope and his son Cesare fighting their main enemies Caterina Sforza which leads to an epic conclusion with the battle of Forli.

    The good points of this series for me is the general tone and atmosphere of the show. This is created by the actors and the setting of the show. The era itself holds strong interest as during this revolutionary time which saw the rise of Da Vinci, Michaelangelo and grand architecture there are dark, viscous conspiracies going on. The whole cast are top notch, in particular David Oakes who plays Juan. His ability to jump from emotion to emotion just like that shows his talent in full flow. Sean Harris who stars as Micheletto is the underrated star of this show. Jeremy Irons is marvellous, need I say more its Jeremy Irons c'mon. I am also a huge fan of orchestral music in shows and it features prominently here and adds to the mood perfectly.

    For some, this show may feature too much gore or sexual content, as there is at least one sexual scene every episode. However if you're comfortable with this sort of thing then I can give you no negatives. If you're an anal historical fan who purely wants fact and non-fiction drama then this probably isn't for you but give a try anyway.

    In my view its fabulous and I am one of those who was gutted to hear that it was cancelled after 3 seasons due to budget concerns despite consistently getting successful ratings. I highly recommend this show and advise you not to be put off by the fact that it was cancelled because honestly The Borgia's Requiem Mass has come too soon.
    10speedy006

    There is only one word to describe this : Brilliant

    I watched many historian series, like Rome, Tudors, or Ivanhoe. All these series were good, in my opinion Rome was the best and i thought that it would be impossible to make better series in that genre. Judging on pilot of the Borgias i was wrong. Casting is spectacular, all the actors are brilliant in their roles, specially Jeremy Irons as pope Alexander, and Colm Feore as cardinal. Storyline is swift, with good tempo, and also very interesting. Maybe there are some holes in historical view, but despite that series is Brilliant. I can't wait for more, and if it stays on this track, it will be one of the best series ever made! It is a shame they don't give Oscars for TV performances. Jeremy Irons would deserve one just for starring in pilot of the series !!!

    Related interests

    Mia Goth and Anya Taylor-Joy in Emma. (2020)
    Costume Drama
    Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer (2023)
    Historical Epic
    Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen in Les Filles du docteur March (2019)
    Period Drama
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in Les Soprano (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Liam Neeson in La Liste de Schindler (1993)
    History
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    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)

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    FAQ20

    • How many seasons does The Borgias have?Powered by Alexa
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 3, 2012 (France)
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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