Network: Showtime
Episodes: 29 (hour)
Seasons: Three
TV show dates: April 3, 2011 — June 16, 2013
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Jeremy Irons, Francois Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Lotte Verbeek, David Oakes, Colm Feore, Peter Sullivan, Aidan Alexander, Ronan Vibert, Joanne Whalley, Sean Harris, Ruta Gedmintas, Luke Pasqualino, Mickey Sumner, Simon McBurney, Michel Muller, and Mark Noble.
TV show description:
Set in 15th century Italy at the height of the Renaissance, this history-based TV series chronicles the corrupt rise of patriarch Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons) to the papacy, following the death of Pope Innocent VIII. Once in power, Rodrigo proceeds to commit every sin imaginable to amass and retain power, influence, and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
Aiding him in his endeavors are his two sons, Cesare (Francois Arnaud) and Juan (David Oakes). Cesare was forced into the priesthood by his father and yearns to be released from it. Unlike what one might expect from a priest, Cesare is violent, cavalier, and a master schemer. He serves as his father’s Consigliore and carries out the most heinous crimes to advance the family’s cause. He’s often aided by Micheletto (Sean Harris), a low-key but incredibly devoted, cold, and dangerous assassin. Cesare is well-aware of his brother Juan’s faults and believes that he is his father’s favorite.
Juan is a feckless dilettante whom Rodrigo appoints to head the papal armies. He’s filled with swagger and bravado, but in reality is a hopelessly inept coward. More interested in the brothels and taverns of Rome than with defending his family, Juan resents that his brother Cesare is the more apt warrior son.
Daughter Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) and son Joffre (Aidan Alexander) are married off in early adolescence to members of powerful rival families -– pawns in their family’s fortunes. Lucrezia is a beautiful young girl who is wise beyond her years and the apple of both her father’s and brother Cesare’s eyes. Though she appears to be the the picture of innocence, she has learned much from her her brother and father. Joffre is barely pubescent when he is married off to Sancia of Naples (Emmanuelle Chriqui), a lusty beauty who quickly captures the attention of Joffre’s brother Juan.
Waging their own heated contest for Rodrigo’s affections are Vanozza (Joanne Whalley), his long-time mistress and mother of his children, and the younger Giulia Farnese (Lotte Verbeek), whose cunning is matched only by her astonishing beauty.
Naturally, Rodrigo has many enemies outside of his house as well. The most devoted of these is rich and powerful Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore), Rodrigo’s chief rival for the papacy. When Della loses, he devotes himself to unseating the Pope, whom he sees as lewd, blasphemous, and his vast moral inferior. He becomes so obsessed with his quest that he ends up stooping to the Borgias’ level — and beyond — to achieve his goal.
Episode #29 — The Prince
Alexander and Cesare are reconciled at last. The Papal Armies have been fortified with the money saved from the Crusade and the proceeds of the Jubilee. Cesare marches his fearsome army to finish what Juan started — lay siege to Forli. Micheletto reappears. Following a scuffle with Cesare, a drunken Alfonso is near death and Lucrezia turns to her potions to end his life painlessly. Cesare vows that Lucrezia will now be his for good.
First aired: June 16, 2013
What do you think? Do you like The Borgias TV series? Are you sorry that the show won’t have a fourth season?
Image courtesy Showtime.
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50 Comments on "The Borgias"
I’ve been learning my lesson on watching series, don’t get involved until the series has concluded then watch it on netflix or On demand. Saves a lot of frustration.Borgas is a good example of spending 3yrs following a series to be left hanging.
Another piss-off moment. I was truly looking forward for the next series episode and again I was upset when the series was canceled. It left a void of an uncompleted story. I so wish that it would return and finish properly.
I have never been more disappointed with having this series cancelled I can only hope that by popular demand it will be reinstated . The acting was brilliant the storyline riveting I cannot understand why this was not embraced by everyone I wonder what can be done to change the networks mind ,if it is ratings then something has to be done to increase peoples interest
This is one show my husband and I loved so much – totally anticipating the next episodes…Then with no warning at all you guys just can the entire series. No notice. This just sucks. How I wish we could go back to the good old days where “profit” was not the main reason for Art. You should be ashamed.
Totally agree with you Cindy. This was a wonderful show and its cancellation makes no sense at all.
Both my wife and I like this series very much and have followed it from the beginning. Excellent cast, terrific writing and NOW you cancel it! What’s going on in hollywood? The same thing was done with Deadwood. Viewers are going to start boycotting these shows if you bring many more to the point where viewers get interested and then you cancel the series on us without bringing
Yeah – DEADWOOD ! WE LOVED DEADWOOD. My husband and I grieved over that one, too. Sure wish we had a say so in any of this. BTW, did you guys ever get in to John From Cincinnati ? It was also strange and great. How can they treat us so bad? So sad
I am very upset the Borgia’s is one of my favorite seris on show time I will miss watching it very much. There will NOT be another show that could replace the Borgia’s, they are real history and I love watching shows like that. Like the White Queen history wilt have little fiction to make it interesting keeps me watching. I really will miss this show. I hope show time changes it’s mind and brings it back!!!!
Excellent program! I always looked forward to watching it. Bring it back. It’s a winner.
So sad to see this series end. I thought it was wonderful and purchased the seasons when they became DVD as I knew it to be one I would want to watch again. It was the MAIN reason I signed up for Showtime. Maybe it’s time to cancel my subscription.
You have my vote – if it matters 🙂
DITTO
Being back the 4 borgias
Wonderful series! So sorry to see it end!
It is a great series, wonderful casting and excellent writing!!!!
Really we would like to see the season four for a Great Finale!!
The producers made a marvelous job to do this great production.
I think the public truly wants to watch and support the Show for another season!!
I hate when they end a season and don’t complete what they started at least do a 2 hour run down of what the ending outcome is.
So sorry to see this series end. So much history…what a wonderful learning experience. The actors, costumes, scenery, etc. top notch. We need a few less reality shows on TV and more shows the quality of the Borgias, Game of Thrones, etc.
you will be missed the costumes and acting Iv watched over and over looking forward to the 4th season,
this is without a dought the best show on t.v. i read a head there is so much more to tell.