The series "Borgia", whose actors earned high marks from viewers and critics, was shot from 2011 to 2013. This is a joint project of Canadian, Hungarian and Irish film figures. Its premiere took place simultaneously in the USA and Canada. The two-hour pilot episode in Canada was the most spectacular series in the history of BRAVO !, on which it was broadcast.
The plot of the picture
The actors in the series Borgia created recognizable images of both fictional characters and real historical figures who lived in the 17th century. At the center of the story is the influential Borgia family. In the Renaissance, it reaches in Italy maximum grandeur and glory.
Moreover, in Rome itself, almost no one likes Borgia. Initially, this is an Italian family with Spanish roots. In Italy, many consider them strangers, in addition, they have many enemies. But after Pope Innocent VIII dies, Borgia managed to occupy the papal throne with the help of bribes and palace intrigues. Rodrigo Borgia, who takes the name of Alexander VI, becomes the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
His main opponent, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, was wandering around Italy and France in search of allies to unite against the Borgia family. And finally topple him from the papal throne.
Cardinal Giuliano manages to persuade French King Charles VIII to join this conspiracy. He agrees to take part in the overthrow of the pope in exchange for the title of King of Naples. The French army emerges from Paris and moves to Rome. Much depends on the upcoming meeting between the pope and the French monarch.
Performer of the role of Alexander VI
Among the actors of the series "Borgia", it is necessary first of all to single out the Englishman Irons. He just plays Rodrigo Borgia, the newly made pope.
His historical prototype lasted for almost 11 years on the papal throne. During this time, he managed to significantly expand the boundaries of the Papal Region. Under him, it became a centralized state. Alexander VI was a conservative, primarily concerned about the eradication of heresy. Much attention was paid to the protection of the secular interests of the papacy, the preferences that could be provided to their own relatives.
Jeremy Irons made his debut in a big movie back in 1981 in the melodrama of Karel Reish "The Woman of the French Lieutenant". He is one of the most famous and titled actors involved in this series. In 1991, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Jeremy Irons played Klaus von Bülow in Barbe Schroeder's drama "The Wrong Side of Fate." For the same role, he received the Golden Globe.
Francois Arnault
Francois Arnault in the series "Borgia" plays Cesare Borgia. This is an influential Renaissance politician. It was under him that an attempt was made to unite Italy under the auspices of the papal throne, which at that time was occupied by his father Alexander VI. Cesare Borgia had a glorious career. His life was cut short 4 years after the death of his father. Cesare was killed in battle.
The actor in the series "Borgia", who played this role - Francois Arnault. He is Canadian by nationality, but he has French roots. The popularity came to him after one of the main roles in the biographical drama of Xavier Dolan "I killed my mother."
Most of his other roles, with the exception of work in the series The Borgias, remained virtually unknown to the domestic audience.
Holliday Granger
Englishwoman Holliday Granger in the series "Borgia" since 1 season. She plays Lucretia Borgia. This is the illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI from a relationship with his mistress, Vannozzi dei Cattanei. Lucretia was Cesare's sister. She was married three times, became the mother of more than ten children.
Played by her Holliday Granger has been working on English television since 1994. Prior to her role in this series, she was featured in Robin Shepperd’s British multi-part drama Sparkhouse, Cary Fukunaga’s melodrama Jane Eyre, Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormord’s darling Sweet Friend, and Joe Wright’s melodrama Anna Karenina, where she played the role of Baroness.
For her role as Lucretia Borgia, she was nominated for the Golden Nymph Award at the Monte Carlo television festival.
Joan Wally
Another British actress in the series "Borgia" with 1 season plays Vannozzi dei Cattanei. The very lover of the pope, mother of Lucretia Borgia.
There are historians to believe, they had a long relationship with the head of the Catholic Church, they have been together for about 15 years. Vannozzi gave birth to four children, whom he recognized and considered his real family. Besides Lucretia and Cesare, these were Giovanni and Joffre.
True, who was the father of the last child, Joffre, is still not known for certain. Perhaps due to the fact that Vannozzi cheated on Alexander VI, they broke up.
Acting her Joan Wally in the movie made her debut in 1982 in the musical film Alan Parker "The Wall." She got the role of one of the fans of the legendary group Pink Floyd. She also played in the biographical drama Agnieszka Holland "Kill the Priest", the melodrama of John Ehrman "Scarlett", the documentary drama Koki Gedroits "The Queen Virgin".
Lotta Verbek
The Dutch actress Lotta Verbek plays in the series "Borgia" (2011-2013, Hungary, Ireland, Canada) Julia Farnese. This is another lover of Pope Alexander VI. Borgia even on the papal throne was very depraved. It was Julia's extramarital affair with the pontiff that greatly contributed to the exaltation and wealth of her family.
Alexander VI preferred the 15-year-old Julia to the already older Vannozzi, and besides, she was rumored to be unfaithful to him. The fact that Farnese was married at that time did not bother the Pope at all. Soon her daughter Laura was born, but who was her father is not known for certain. Although Julia herself always assured that the child was from a pontiff. But, probably, this was done in order to increase their status and position in society.
Played by her Dutchwoman Lotta Verbek. For her, this was the first prominent role in world cinema. After this series, Verbek was already noted for his work in the thriller Mike Figgis “On the Edge of Doubt”, the drama series Ronald Moore's “Alien Woman”, the adventure action movie Breck Eisner's “The Last Witch Hunter”.
David oaks
David Oaks plays in the series Giovanni Borgia, another son of Alexander VI. At the end of the 15th century, he led the Pope’s army in a war against hostile clans, primarily against the Orsini family. But at the same time, he understood little in strategy and tactics. An attempt to storm the castle of Orsini was unsuccessful.
In 1497 he was killed in Rome.
Actor David Oaks is an English national. The role of Giovanni is the most famous in his career. Viewers can also remember him on the television series Pillars of the Earth, Ripper Street, The White Queen, The Living and the Dead, and Victoria.
Sean Harris
Sean Harris in the series plays Micheletto Corella. This is the then famous professional killer, a Spaniard by nationality. He earned fame while in the service of Cesare Borgia and eliminating people he did not like.
Sean Harris himself is an Englishman. It is known that he received his education in the London Drama Center, strictly adheres to the Stanislavsky system.
His first notable role was the work in Michael Winterbottom’s historical comedy, The Twenty-Four-Hour Party People. He also played in the psychological thriller Mark Evans "Injury," Daniel Barber's crime drama "Harry Brown," Scott Derrickson's detective horror film "Deliver Us From the Evil," Justin Kurzel's tragedy "Macbeth," and Susanne Bir's drama "Serena."