Series synopsis
The Borgias is an American drama crime television series that premiered on Showtime on April 3, 2011. It ended on June 16, 2013. It was created by Neil Jordan. It stars Jeremy Irons, David Oakes, François Arnaud and Holliday Grainger.
Set in 15th century Italy at the height of the Renaissance, The Borgias chronicles the corrupt rise of patriarch Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy, where he proceeds to commit every sin in the book to amass and retain power, influence and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
Premise
Set in 15th century Italy at the height of the Renaissance, The Borgias chronicles the corrupt rise of patriarch Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy, where he proceeds to commit every sin in the book to amass and retain power, influence and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
Premise: Flesh and Blood
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia
- David Oakes as Juan Borgia
- François Arnaud as Cesare Borgia
- Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia
- Joanne Whalley as Vanozza Cattaneo
- Colm Feore as Giuliano Della Rovere
- Peter Sullivan as Cardinal Ascanio Sforza
- Sean Harris as Micheletto
Supporting cast
- Thure Lindhardt as Rufio
- Sebastian de Souza as Alfonso of Aragon
Guest cast
- Vernon Dobtcheff as Cardinal Versucci
- Lotte Verbeek as Giulia Farnese
- Clive Russell
- Michelle Ryan
- Russ Bain as French Soldier 1
- Luke Pasqualino as Paolo
- Richard Rifkin as The Penitent
- Luke Allen-Gale as Fredirigo
- Prometheus Aleifer as Roberto Orsini
- Pilou Asbæk as Paolo Orsini
- Callum Turner as Calvino
- Barney Glover as Vincenzo Salvatore
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 33 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 4 | March 31, 2011 | March 31, 2011 |
| Season 1 | 9 | April 3, 2011 | May 22, 2011 |
| Season 2 | 10 | April 8, 2012 | June 17, 2012 |
| Season 3 | 10 | April 14, 2013 | June 16, 2013 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Borgias: The Original Crime Family Various supporting actors talk about being part of the story and how their characters fit into the world of The Borgias. |
March 31, 2011 |
| 2 |
The Look of the Borgias Crew talk about recreating the Renaissance through set and costum designs. |
|
| 3 |
Hanging with Jeremy Irons Jeremy Irons talks about how he got started in the acting industry, from the very beginning to when he joined the cast of The Borgias, and what it was like for him to win an Oscar. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Poisoned Chalice Rodrigo successfully bribes and intimidates his way into an election as Pope Alexander VI, making him the new leader of the Catholic Church; powerful Cardinals Della Rovere and Orsini oppose his rise; the Borgias recruit a talented assassin named Micheletto to their cause. |
April 3, 2011 |
| 2 |
The Assassin The new Pope wastes no time consolidating power and balancing opposition to him in the College of Cardinals by elevating his children to high office, installing Juan as head of the papal armies and Cesare as a cardinal and his successor, while seeking a politically fortuitous marriage for daughter Lucrezia. |
April 3, 2011 |
| 3 |
The Moor His coffers depleted by his expensive rise to power, Rodrigo seeks funds through a profitable marriage for Lucrezia that will ally with him Milan, and charges a fee for safe haven in the Holy City to Jews displaced by the Spanish Inquisition; the Borgias host a charming Turkish prince; Micheletto is ordered to rid his patrons of the ongoing threat posed by Della Rovere. |
April 10, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Borgia Bull Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover and throws a grand, pagan fete for the citizens of Rome when a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; the rivalry between brothers Cesare and Juan spills into the streets; Lucrezia tends to her newborn child; now a pastoral priest once again, Della Rovere narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. |
April 8, 2012 |
| 2 |
Paolo The stable boy who fathered Lucrezia's child travels to Rome to rendezvous with her but suffers an unfortunate fate at the hands of Juan; the Pope's lovers Giulia and Vittoria take him in disguise on a revelatory tour of Rome's indigent. |
April 15, 2012 |
| 3 |
The Beautiful Deception Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo, despite his doubts about the stable boy’s suicide, causing Lucrezia to embark on a hunger strike that threatens the life of her infant son; the French army heads back to Rome, allied with Sforza; Della Rovere slips back into the city unnoticed to launch a plot against the Pope’s life. |
April 22, 2012 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Face of Death Pope Alexander fights for his life; the cardinals fight for control of the papacy; Cesare and Micheletto track the assassin; Della Rovere prepares to make his move. |
April 14, 2013 |
| 2 |
The Purge Alexander tasks Cardinal Sforza with purging the College of Cardinals, old Roman families conspire against the Pope, and Lucrezia tries to seduce Cesare. |
April 21, 2013 |
| 3 |
Siblings The King of Naples refuses to accept Lucrzia's child as part of the marriage agreement and pointedly invites Caterins Sforza and other Borgia enemies to the wedding. |
April 28, 2013 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Showtime |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 3, 2011 |
| Last aired | June 16, 2013 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | Canceled |
| Schedule | Sunday at 22:00:00 |