The Borgias is an historical drama based on the real Spanish Borgias Dynasty that ruled Rome and the world. Set in 15th century Italy in 1492 at the height of the Renaissance and an increasingly weak and dysfunctional Rome, the series is filmed in Hungary and based on real characters and events, the nine-part, hour-long series chronicles the corrupt rise and ruthless consolidation of power by patriarch Rodrigo Borgia (Academy Award®-winner Jeremy Irons, Kingdom of Heaven, Being Julia), who stops at nothing to control the papal throne and feed his insatiable ambition for influence and wealth for himself and his family. Starring alongside Irons are Canadians Colm Feore (Flashpoint, 24) as his arch nemesis, Cardinal Della Rovere, and breakout star François Arnaud (J'ai tué ma mère) as Rodrigo’s ruthless son Cesare.
Rich with tour-de-force performances, The Borgias also stars the Borgia offspring: David Oakes (The Pillars Of The Earth) as Juan Borgia, and Holliday Grainger (Above Suspicion, Robin Hood) as Lucrezia Borgia, Rodrigo Borgia’s youngest and only daughter. Also starring are Joanne Whalley (Navy Seals, Scandal, The Man Who Knew Too Little, Willow) as Vanozza, the Pope’s longtime mistress and mother of his children; Sean Harris (Brighton Rock, 24 Hour Party People, Isolation) as Micheletto, the family’s murderous henchman; and Lotte Verbeek (Nothing Personal) as the Pope’s new lover Giulia. Recurring cast members are Peter Sullivan (Spooks, The Bill) as Cardinal Sforza; Aidan Alexander as Joffre Borgia; Ronan Vibert (Shadow of the Vampire, The Pianist, Rome) as Giovanni Sforza; Ruta Gedmintas (The Tudors, Lip Service) as Ursula Bonadeo; and Canadian Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage) as the seductive Duchess Sancia.
Filling out the cast are two of England’s most heralded stage and screen actors, Sir Derek Jacobi (Henry V, Gladiator, Gosford Park, Cadfæl) who plays Cardinal Orsini, and Steven Berkoff (Octopussy, War and Remembrance), playing the role of charismatic preacher Savonarola.
