Da Vinci's Demons: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 163 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 163 Ratings

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Da Vinci's Demons: Mastering Da Vinci (Featurette)

Now Playing: Da Vinci's Demons: Mastering Da Vinci (Featurette)

Season Details & Credits

Starz | Season Premiere Date: April 12, 2013

Starring: Gregg Chillin, James Faulkner, Laura Haddock

Summary: Twenty five-year old artist/inventor Leonardo da Vinci (Tom Riley) works for Lorenzo Medici (Elliot Cowan); attracts the attention of Medici's mistress, Lucrezia Donati (Laura Haddock); battles Count Girolamo Riario (Blake Ritson); and seeks the mysterious Book of Leaves in this historical fantasy series.

Creator: David S. Goyer

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Fantasy

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. The Lovers
Air Date: June 7, 2013
tbd
S1:E7. The Hierophant
Air Date: May 31, 2013
tbd
S1:E6. The Devil
Air Date: May 17, 2013

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Curt Wagner

Apr 11, 2013

The mystical mumbo jumbo nearly derails the proceedings, but Goyer reins in the hookum in favor of frolicking adventure that's more fun than fact. Read full review

Clark Collis

Apr 5, 2013

We see promise in Tom Riley's Leonardo da Vinci. [12 Apr 2013, p.68] Read full review

Ellen Gray

Apr 12, 2013

No one should base a term paper on it, but Da Vinci's Demons is at least an entertaining lie. Read full review

Tom Gliatto

May 3, 2013

To work, this overheated alchemy needs a magnetic Leo, but Tom Riley is miscast--too smart-alecky and brash. [13 May 2013, p.46]

David Hinckley

Apr 12, 2013

It feels at times like part “Da Vinci Code,” part “National Treasure,” part “Borgias” and part “Sherlock,” all with its own underlying tongue-in-cheek bemusement. Read full review

Alan Sepinwall

Apr 12, 2013

Ultimately, I found Da Vinci's Demons ridiculous but fairly amiable. Read full review

Matt Zoller Seitz

Apr 12, 2013

Series creator David S. Goyer seems to be going for exuberance; but Da Vinci’s Demons is never exuberant enough to overcome a crippling combination of leadenness, silliness, and mediocre storytelling. Read full review

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User Score

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7.7

User Reviews

oneandonlywm3

Apr 21, 2013

I was too excited when I first heard the news that they're releasing Da Vinci's Demons. Honestly though, when I first heard of it, I was scared that it wouldn't be as successful as I want it to be, considering the fact that it's more of a renaissance series. Based on recent reviews though II was too excited when I first heard the news that they're releasing Da Vinci's Demons. Honestly though, when I first heard of it, I was scared that it wouldn't be as successful as I want it to be, considering the fact that it's more of a renaissance series. Based on recent reviews though I have to say that Da Vinci's Demons is getting better reviews. I really liked the show, it has a cunning storyline and the cast is easy to love. It might have some R rated scenes, but honestly, what recent show doesn't. Da Vinci's Demons is an easy to recommend show, and an easy show to give a 10. If you've read some of Dan Brown's work, and loved it, then Da Vinci's Demons could be your new favourite show.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

jasnutter

Nov 25, 2013

It's not a factual account of Leonardo's life and has never claimed to be, but it's a lot of fun and very refreshing. It takes off rather weakly, so bear with the first two episodes. It picks up wonderfully as the plot thickens. Also, amazing performances!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

CazzieK

May 31, 2013

Da Vinci's Demons is so refreshing, its quirky take on a historical great is just so entertaining. The Vlad epsiode is brilliantly scary and Tom Riley's performance is brilliantly charming and manic, and we look forward to each week's instalment and very much hope there will be furtherDa Vinci's Demons is so refreshing, its quirky take on a historical great is just so entertaining. The Vlad epsiode is brilliantly scary and Tom Riley's performance is brilliantly charming and manic, and we look forward to each week's instalment and very much hope there will be further seasons to tune into… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

eagleeyeviking

Jun 2, 2014

There is a lot to like in Season 1 of Da Vinci's Demons. The acting is fine, the production values great and the fun, lots. However, the first few episodes fail to justify that and a lot of build up and little pay off leaves too much for Season 2.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

vikesh2206

Nov 10, 2014

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

A_Northerner

Jun 24, 2013

Ultimately I was disappointed with Demons considering it's creator. When the show was announced I wondered what 'demons' the title was referring to and it's these demons that for me detract from the narrative's stronger elements. The show is strongest when Da Vinci is caught up in the powerUltimately I was disappointed with Demons considering it's creator. When the show was announced I wondered what 'demons' the title was referring to and it's these demons that for me detract from the narrative's stronger elements. The show is strongest when Da Vinci is caught up in the power struggle fought between the Medici's and the Pope through his sly nephew Count Riario.

The 'demons' element weakens Da Vinci and has him fighting a repressed childhood memory while hunting for clues of his mother. He is contacted by the Son's of Mithras, who instruct him to access the Fountain of Memory to find the Vault of Heaven where he will find the Book of Leaves. Seriously, you couldn't make it up. The Book of Leaves will probably be followed by the Turd of Glory.

In terms of historical accuracy the show is tongue in cheek and pretty good fun. For me Da Vinci is a bearded old man, but here is he reinvented as a cool, fast talking, talented sword fighter. I wondered if Goyer would stay true to dialogue of the time but this was answered in the first ten seconds of the opening episode when Hugh Bonneville, in a cameo as the Duke of Milan, responds 'Balls!' to be told he was late! Tom Riley is charismatic as Leonardo and is well supported by Elliot Cowan as Lorenzo de Medici and Blake Ritson as Count Riario.

The production is glossy and features some decent CGI used to illustrate Da Vinci's brain at work as he plots and develops his inventions.

The finale was disappointing finishing not just following a cliffhanger but midway through one which I found incredibly unsatisfying. At only eight episodes, the season was the perfect length, short and punchy and the show has been renewed for another round in 2014.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

a-L-e88

Jun 30, 2013

Come on, seriously? I've watched three episodes of this and i don't even know how and why. Maybe the show can be good if you want to laugh at...at...just everything you see in the show. But if i want to laugh i'd just go with some comedies like louis c.k, parks and recreation, arrestedCome on, seriously? I've watched three episodes of this and i don't even know how and why. Maybe the show can be good if you want to laugh at...at...just everything you see in the show. But if i want to laugh i'd just go with some comedies like louis c.k, parks and recreation, arrested development and so on. Usually i don't want to laugh watching something that is supposed to be a drama.

Also, i find that the da vinci's actor it was just bad and without an inch of charisma.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

SEE ALL 33 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

63

Series Overview
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 24, 2015
Season 2

69
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: March 22, 2014
Season 1

62
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 12, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E8. The Lovers
  Air Date: June 7, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Hierophant
  Air Date: May 31, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Devil
  Air Date: May 17, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E5. The Tower
  Air Date: May 10, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E4. The Magician
  Air Date: May 3, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. The Prisoner
  Air Date: April 26, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Serpent
  Air Date: April 19, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. The Hanged Man
  Air Date: April 12, 2013