
The Borgias
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This expansive drama series stars Oscar winner Jeremy Irons in his Golden Globe-nominated role as Pope Alexander VI, the cunning, manipulative patriarch of the infamous Borgia dynasty, who builds an empire by bribing, buying and muscling his way into the papacy.
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
The ChoiceThe Pope demands allegiance from Catherina Sforza; Alexander hears Savonarola while in disguise in Florence; Della Rovere attempts recruitment. - 02
SiblingsThe purged Cardinals are stripped of their titles and wealth; King Ferdinand refuses to accept Giovanni; Cesare considers an alliance with the old enemy; Alexander sticks to his plan; Lucrezia is abandoned on her wedding night. - 03
The PurgePope Alexander seeks revenge against the cardinals; Rufio is ordered to rally support from the mercenary warlords; Lucrezia becomes annoyed with her future in-laws.
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01
- S01E01
The Poisoned ChaliceApril 3, 2011Extremely ruthless and ambitious cardinal Rodrigo Borgia uses bribery to take advantage of the death of the current Pope and rise to the Pap - S01E02
The AssassinApril 3, 2011Micheletto, Orsini's assassin is recruited by Cesare to defect into the service of Della Rovere who is trying to prove Rodrigo has taken on - S01E03
The MoorApril 10, 2011Rodrigo seeks funds through a profitable marriage for Lucrezia and charges a fee for safe haven; the Borgias host a Turkish prince. - S01E04
Lucrezia's WeddingApril 17, 2011Lucrezia's wedding is a disaster; the Borgia children's mother arrives; Della Rovere seeks the aid of the Medici family. - S01E05
The Borgias in LoveApril 24, 2011Lucrezia has an affair with a stable boy; Cesare strikes a bargain with Machiavelli and takes action to rid Ursula of her husband. - S01E06
The French KingMay 1, 2011Della Rovere strikes a bargain with King Charles of France; Rodrigo attempts to thwart an invasion. - S01E07
Season's bestDeath on a Pale HorseMay 8, 2011The invasion of France proceeds; Giovanni Sforza is poised to join the battle; Leonardo Da Vinci shares drawings and blueprints. - S01E08
The Art of WarMay 15, 2011The invaders capture a pregnant Lucrezia who charms King Charles; Pope Alexander VI awaits his fate. - S01E09
Nessuno (Nobody)May 22, 2011Alexander meets King Charles with humility; Charles abandons Della Rovere; Lucrezia gives birth in a convent.
Season02
- S02E01
The Borgia BullApril 8, 2012Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover; a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; Cesare and Juan's rivalry spills into the streets; Lucrezia - S02E02
PaoloApril 15, 2012The father of Lucrezia's child travels to meet her in Rome; the Pope's lovers take him on a tour of Rome's indigent. - S02E03
The Beautiful DeceptionApril 22, 2012Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo; Lucrezia embarks on a hunger strike; the French army heads to Rome; Della Rovere - S02E04
Stray DogsApril 29, 2012Cesare recruits mercenaries to exact revenge on French troops; the pope forges strategic alliances; Lucrezia joins Giulia, who strives to ai - S02E05
Season's bestThe ChoiceMay 6, 2012The Pope demands allegiance from Catherina Sforza; Alexander hears Savonarola while in disguise in Florence; Della Rovere attempts recruitme - S02E06
Day of AshesMay 13, 2012Alexander begins a Lenten fast after fearing a sign from God; Cesare tries to prove his worth; the Pope pressures Lucrezia into another marr - S02E07
The Siege at ForliMay 20, 2012Juan returns from Spain; Alexander plans to lay siege to Sforza's castle; Lucrezia scuttles a marriage scheme. - S02E08
Truth and LiesJune 3, 2012Juan tries to spin his combat injury as proof of his valor; Lucrezia takes a lover; Della Rovere recruits a young friar. - S02E09
World of WondersJune 10, 2012Alexander prepares to end his fast with a celebration; Della Rovere's assassin becomes the Pope's taster; Lucrezia's lover proposes; Cesare - S02E10
The ConfessionJune 17, 2012Cesare has a startling revelation; Lucrezia falls for a new suitor; Cesare cannot extract a confession; the assassin strikes.
Season03Best season
- S03E01
The Face of DeathApril 14, 2013Pope Alexander fights for his life; the cardinals fight for control of the papacy; Cesare and Micheletto track the assassin; Della Rovere pr - S03E02
The PurgeApril 21, 2013Pope Alexander seeks revenge against the cardinals; Rufio is ordered to rally support from the mercenary warlords; Lucrezia becomes annoyed - S03E03
Season's bestSiblingsApril 28, 2013The purged Cardinals are stripped of their titles and wealth; King Ferdinand refuses to accept Giovanni; Cesare considers an alliance with t - S03E04
The Banquet of ChestnutsMay 5, 2013Cardinal Farnese discovers Versucci's theft; Alexander calls for a Crusade; Giulia arranges an orgy for the new Cardinals; King Ferdinand le - S03E05
The Wolf and the LambMay 12, 2013Cesare's diplomatic mission is a success; Bianca takes her own life; Alexander and Sforza conspire to repay Gonzaga; Lucrezia travels to Nap - S03E06
RelicsMay 19, 2013Cesare lands in northern Italy; Catherina sends a plague-infested cloth to Alexander; Alexander taxes a newly arrived Jewish communtiy; Matt - S03E07
Lucrezia's GambitMay 26, 2013Cesare burns Constanzo's palace to contain the plague; Lucrezia seeks a Neapolitan power base for herself; one of the candidates for Ferdina - S03E08
Tears of BloodJune 2, 2013Pilgrims travel to Rome for the Jubilee year celebrations; Catherina wants to hinder the festival; Mattai's contacts destroy a Turkish fleet - S03E09
The Gunpowder PlotJune 9, 2013Micheletto kills his lover and disappears; Cesare races to rescue Lucrezia; Alfonso begins to drink heavily; Alexander and Mattai scheme to - S03E10
The PrinceJune 16, 2013Alexander and Cesare have reconciled; the Borgias are ready to move against their enemies; Catherina is determined to resist a siege; Cesare
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