The Borgias: Season 1
  • Network: Showtime
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 3, 2011
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
view
per page
  1. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Mar 31, 2011
    88
    If it plays a bit fast and loose with facts, it's nowhere near as outrageous as its Showtime cousin The Tudors, whose ever-young, ever-fit Henry VIII was an affront to history and to common sense. Irons may not look anything like the real Pope Alexander, but he makes you believe in him - and for The Borgias' purposes, that's what matters.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    Mar 31, 2011
    88
    Showtime has tantalized me for ages with glimpses of Jeremy Irons growling and groping his way through a role as history's most debauched pope. It finally arrives Sunday, and you won't be disappointed.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Mar 31, 2011
    88
    If you can get past the many face of Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia/Pope Alexander VI, in Showtime's lush and luscious historical series The Borgias, you're in for a full-out good time.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. JennetP
    10
    I'll admit I was predisposed to like "The Borgias" by the subject matter, by the network, by the involvement of Neil Jordan, and by the casting of Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia. And I do like it, very much. As usual with historical series, the show edits the facts quite a bit, but some of the editing is doubtless in the interest of fairness, given the blackening of the Borgia name after the family's downfall. Cesare, promoted to elder brother in the series, is a more conflicted, self-aware thug than his historical counterpart, and, played with intelligence and charm by François Arnaud, serves as a strong foil to his menacing father. And no one does menace like Jeremy Irons. Even when he's not saying a word, just staring into space, his face advertises his cruelty and depraved ambition. Then he speaks, complicating the portrait with a dark charisma that lures and repels simultaneously. From top to bottom, the casting is unusually good, as should be evident from the participation of heavyweights Colm Feore and Derek Jacobi, who play rival cardinals. Also first-rate is the overall look of the show, which is sumptuous in the extreme. One critic complained that Rodrigo's reason for seeking the papacy was obscure, but, for me, it was obvious in the buildings, the clothes, the ornaments, the art, all of which proclaim the massive wealth and power of the church in Rome. "The Borgias" is splendid, in at least two senses of the word.… Full Review »
  2. Puck342
    10
    The Borgias is a show that, by it's placement on a subscriber network like Showtime, and it's focus on intirgue and sex and death, must be compared to the Tudors. I am safe to report 4 episodes into the first season (which, unless there are mighty changes a-coming, has seemed to have shown the gambit of what this first season intends to bring us in manner of light/dark tones and general plot delivery), The Borgias have already far outpaced even the best moments of The Tudors.

    I believe this is in part due to the fact that simply put, Jeremy Irons from his first moment on screen as the soon-to-be-pope Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia so totally fills the role that he looks appropriate, if perhaps a bit lean for a papal figure of the time. However, his delivery, carriage, and mannerisms all are so enveloping as to erase any doubt by the midpoint of the opening episode. While this show does take historical liberties like the Tudors, it does not go nearly as far and they are mostly to add to the show, not to simply make it more marketable. So for those who are more intimately familiar with the zeitgeist of Machiavellian Italy and Cesare Borgia in particular might at first be a bit startled by his apparent complexity and depth. This becomes obvious from the get-go as Cesare is cast (not only in an eldest brother role, one that he was not in real life) as the double-edged foil to his somewhat immature (both too cruel and yet not cruel enough) brother and his menacing (and oh how he menaces) and scheming father.

    What I find so enthralling is that this show, after 4 episodes, has not given any sort of Singular Answer to the question of why, when by the end of the first episode Rodrigo Borgia is made Pope Alexander VI, the most powerful man in the Christian world, that is only the very tip of the iceberg. Sure, there is simple greed and ambition, but by a few episodes in you begin to realize that Pope Alexander VI is simply a man who cannot be defined like some sort of Gargamel, constantly searching for one singular end. Rather he clearly has many motivations, not all of which are even clear to his own family or even possibly, himself.

    So far, the historical cameos have been magnificent. The Medici's main scene so far (hopefully they will be returning, central historical figures that they are) was wonderful, to mention one. The architecture is also given a historical amount of detail for the most recognizable vistas that is an aesthetic pleasure (for those of you who have played Assassin's Creed II, this will seem like the live version of the stages) and also serves to ground the series, making you not want to look to the corner of every moving shot to see if you can see daylight behind the sets.

    Luckily for the series, the 11 year papal reign of Alexander VI has no shortage of drama to draw upon, and since it began in the auspicious year of 1492, glib historical references can (and I am sure, given the first 4 episodes, will continue to be) be peppered in regularly for bit sized chunks of humor and levity, which this show is able to provide at times.

    Overall this series seems to have done (and left itself enough room to continue to be able to do for many seasons to come) the best job of a historical drama from definitively pre-industrial times. Yes, it is clearly a cheerier, less hairy, more attractive version of the past, with mild edits to keep the plot aerodynamic, but it is still stunning none-the-less, and deserves the highest of praise.    … Full Review »
  3. Tvlovr702
    9
    The Borgias is a captivating story of one of the most infamous families who just happened to have lived during one of the most salacious times in human history. Jeremy Irons, who plays Rodrigo Borgia, aka Pope Alexander VI, proves, yet again, what an extraordinary actor he is, and it's difficult to imagine this role being played so well by anyone else. While Mr. irons acting reputation precedes him, the relatively novice actors in the cast are every bit as talented. Holliday Granger, who plays the much maligned, Lucrezia Borgia, is exceptionally beautiful and an actor of immense range beginning the series as a rather childlike, sweet girl to an intelligent, strong and sensual woman by the beginning of the 3rd season. Francois Arnaud, who plays the ambitious and intense, Cesare Borgia, is truly an up and coming actor, who is destined for stardom. It's impossible to keep your eyes off of him when he's in a scene. Rounding out the family is Joann Whalley as the family matriarch and the Pope's first mistress, Vinozza de Catanei. Ms. Whalley is an absolute joy to watch. Although not part of the family, Sean Harris as the assassin, Micheletto, must be mentioned as he is so incredibly wonderful in his role as the Luca Brazzi of this family, that no matter how scary he is, or how many people he tortures and kills, you find yourself liking him. Now that's good acting. The entire cast comes together on some of the most sumptuous sets I've seen, to provide one of the best shows on television today. It is truly astonishing and an utter shame that this show and its actors have been overlooked for Emmy statues as superb storytelling such as this should be encouraged, and to that end, rewarded.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »