The Borgias (2011 TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Borgias |
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| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Created by | Neil Jordan |
| Written by | Neil Jordan David Leland Guy Burt |
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| Theme music composer | Trevor Morris |
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| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 29 (list of episodes) |
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| Production location(s) | Hungary |
| Cinematography | Paul Sarossy |
| Running time | 48–58 minutes |
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| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Original release | April 3, 2011 – June 16, 2013 |
The Borgias is a historical fiction drama television series. It was created by Neil Jordan and first aired in 2011. The show finished in 2013.
The story takes place in Renaissance-era Italy. It follows the Borgia family as they try to gain power and influence within the Catholic Church. The family uses clever strategies to become very powerful. They are known for their strong desire for wealth and control. The series stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI. Also featured are François Arnaud as Cesare, Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia, and David Oakes as Juan. Colm Feore plays Cardinal della Rovere.
The show first aired on April 3, 2011, on Showtime in the United States. In Canada, it premiered on Bravo!. The second season started on April 8, 2012. A third season of 10 episodes was ordered and began on April 14, 2013. The series was canceled on June 5, 2013. This was one season short of the creator's original plan. The show was very expensive to make. A special two-hour ending was planned but also canceled. Later, the script for this ending was released as an ebook.
Contents
What the Show is About
The series shows how the Borgia family rose to power in the Catholic Church. It also covers their efforts to keep that power. The first season begins with Rodrigo Borgia becoming the leader of the Catholic Church. He becomes Pope Alexander VI with the help of his sons, Cesare and Juan. This puts his family at the center of European politics in the 1400s. They deal with changing loyalties and rivalries between powerful families.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere is upset that he lost the election to Borgia. He travels around Italy and France. He looks for allies to remove Pope Alexander from power. Della Rovere believes he would win the next election if Borgia were gone.
The show also explores the relationships between Cesare, Juan, and Lucrezia. Cesare and Juan have a strong rivalry. Juan's behavior becomes more difficult in the second season. This leads to a big change for the family. Gioffre is the youngest son and becomes more important in the third season.
The series also covers Lucrezia's marriages and her child. It shows the rise of Girolamo Savonarola in Florence. He preached against corruption in the Church.
Meet the Characters
Main Characters
- Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia / Pope Alexander VI: He is a very ambitious church leader and the father of the Borgia family. He uses his position to gain wealth and power. He became pope in 1492. He is smart and devoted to his family. He often questions his own actions when others are affected. His favorite children are Juan and Lucrezia.
- François Arnaud as Cesare Borgia: He is Rodrigo's oldest son. He works for his father in the church. However, he prefers fighting to being a priest. Cesare is confident and quick-witted. He becomes known for his strong actions. He is very loyal to his sister Lucrezia. After difficult events, he becomes a skilled warrior and leader.
- Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia: She is Rodrigo's daughter and her father's favorite. Lucrezia is smart, witty, and beautiful. She often helps her family in important ways. Early in the series, she marries Giovanni Sforza. She has a child with a servant named Paolo. Later, she marries Alfonso of Aragon.
- Joanne Whalley as Vanozza Cattaneo: She is the mother of the pope's children. Her role in the family changes as the Borgias gain more power. She eventually forms a friendship with Giulia.
- Lotte Verbeek as Giulia Farnese: She is a close friend and advisor to Pope Alexander. She is also a wise and independent woman. She becomes a good friend and mentor to Lucrezia.
- David Oakes as Juan Borgia: He is Rodrigo's second son and a military leader. He acts carelessly and proudly. He is not as clever as his father or siblings. He has a difficult relationship with his sister Lucrezia. Cesare and Micheletto eventually take action against him.
- Sean Harris as Micheletto Corella: He is Cesare's loyal helper. He carries out important tasks to help the Borgia family stay in power. He is very devoted to Cesare.
- Aidan Alexander as Gioffre Borgia: He is the youngest son of the pope. He marries Sancia of Naples to help his family form an alliance.
- Colm Feore as Giuliano della Rovere: He is a powerful cardinal. After losing the papal election, he tries to remove Pope Alexander from power. He believes the new pope is not fit for the role. He tries to get help from the King of France.
- Gina McKee as Caterina Sforza: She is a cousin of Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. She is known as the "Tigress of Forli" for her military skills. She leads the powerful Sforza family and is a major rival to the Borgias. A war begins between Caterina and the Borgias. Cesare eventually defeats her, and she is taken prisoner.
Other Important Characters
- Ronan Vibert as Giovanni Sforza: He is the Lord of Pesaro. He is chosen to marry Lucrezia to gain support from the Sforza family.
- Steven Berkoff as Girolamo Savonarola: He is an influential priest in Florence. He speaks out against corruption in the Church.
- Simon McBurney as Johannes Burchard: He is the Vatican's Master of Ceremonies. He knows a lot about church law. He tries to stay neutral to keep his position.
- Luke Pasqualino as Paolo: He is a young servant. He has a child with Lucrezia. He is later reunited with Lucrezia and his child.
- Derek Jacobi as Cardinal Orsino Orsini (fictional character): He is a cardinal who plotted against Pope Alexander.
- Ruta Gedmintas as Ursula Bonadeo/Sister Martha: She has a relationship with Cesare. After her husband's death, she becomes a nun. Her death makes Cesare seek revenge.
- Elyes Gabel as Prince Cem: He is a rival to the Ottoman throne. Pope Alexander hosts him for money. He becomes friends with the Borgias, especially Lucrezia.
- Emmanuelle Chriqui as Sancha of Aragon: She is the daughter of the King of Naples. She marries Joffre, but Juan becomes interested in her.
- Peter Sullivan as Ascanio Sforza: He is a powerful cardinal. He helps Rodrigo Borgia become pope. He becomes a trusted helper to the Borgias.
- Julian Bleach as Niccolò Machiavelli: He is an important official in Republic of Florence. He advises the Medici family. He later works with Cesare.
- Ivan Kaye as Ludovico Sforza: He is the Duke of Milan. He allows the French army to pass through Milan.
- Michel Muller as Charles VIII: He is the King of France. He leads a powerful army. He is charmed by Lucrezia Borgia. He later forms an alliance with the pope.
- Sebastian de Souza as Alfonso of Aragon: He comes to Rome to marry Lucrezia. She chooses him as her second husband.
- Thure Lindhardt as Rufio: He is Caterina Sforza's skilled assassin. He tries to bring down the Borgias. Later, Cesare hires him.
- Matias Varela as King Ferdinand: He is Alfonso's uncle. He demands proof of his nephew's marriage to Lucrezia.
- Cyron Melville as Cardinal Farnese: He is Giulia Farnese's brother. He becomes a cardinal and manages the papal finances.
- Ana Ularu as Charlotte d'Albret: She becomes Cesare's wife through an agreement with King Louis XII of France.
How the Show Was Made
The series was a joint project between different countries. It was filmed in Hungary, mainly at the Korda Studios near Budapest.
Creator Neil Jordan had wanted to make a film about the Borgia family for many years. In 2010, Steven Spielberg suggested turning the idea into a TV drama. Showtime executives were looking for a new historical series. They decided to create The Borgias. Jordan hoped the series would have four seasons. This would cover the entire time Rodrigo Borgia was pope (1492–1503).
For the role of Rodrigo Borgia, Jordan chose Jeremy Irons. Irons is known for playing complex characters. He was asked to focus on the Pope's desire for power and life.
Episodes Guide
List of The Borgias episodes The first season had nine episodes. The first two episodes aired together as a premiere. The second season had ten episodes. The first half was written by Neil Jordan. The second half was written by David Leland, who also directed some episodes. Guy Burt helped with the storyline for the second season. The third and final season also had ten episodes. Four were written by Guy Burt, and six, including the last one, were written by Neil Jordan.
See also
In Spanish: The Borgias para niños
