We have mentioned in the past the TV series The Tudors. The series seems to be coming to an end after the fourth season is aired later this year but it was such a success that Showtime decided to renew the formula but now with another dinasty, The Borgias. If there’s a family whose reputation is begging for a TV adaptation is this one and considering what the script writers did with The Tudor’s we are sure this one is bound to be even more… interesting…
Production is set to start soon, for a whole season of 13 episodes (some news mention 10 episodes), but we will probably only watch it in our TV screens sometime in 2011. The story will be set in the late 15th century and the main character has already been cast – Jeremy Irons will play Rodrigo Borgia, the head of the family. Rodrigo became Pope in 1492 but the family is usually better known by the accusations of rampant corruption, murder, numerous affairs and even incest. We are looking forward to find out who will play Lucrezia Borgia and her brother Cesare.
Will The Borgias prove to be as great a success as The Tudors?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
The Tudors had more name recognition going in and the story of Anne Boleyn has fascinated people for centuries, but the audience for The Tudors will probably at least give The Borgias a chance.
I wasn’t a big fan of The Tudors. It gave me pains to see them using coaches from 18th and 19th century on something that was supposed to be 16th century. Also, I didn’t liked how they’ve portrayed the portuguese king, who I think was supposed to be Manuel I, who never made any alliance through matrimony with England. But then I studied History and am very picky.
But I look forward to this one about the Borgias! I love them! :D
With Jeremy Irons, how can it go wrong?
I’ve never heard of The Borgias but “rampant corruption, murder, numerous affairs and even incest”? Doesn’t sound like my cup of tea. Wish they’d focus their energy on something more inspiring!
I am probably more excited about this one than I was by the Tudors. I never actually managed to watch much of that, but I will make an effort to watch this one when it comes out.
I must confess that I only watched a few minutes of The Tudors although I have it in the TBS (to be seen) pile.
From what I read a tend to agree with WhiteLady3 but I will watch it and see.
Not all the accusations against the family are a proven fact but they certainly were a lively bunch and I’m very interested in knowing what they will do with Lucrezia although I’m half afraid they will go with the usual “evil villainess” trend.
Ooooh! That sounds great! :)
I didn’t like the “Tudors” a lot, I watched the first season, wasn’t impressed and then lost interest somehow.
But I’m looking forward to this one – and with Jeremy Irons! I can’t wait!
To me The Tudors was one of the most interesting and best T.V. Series in a very long, long time. I never missed one episode. I hated it to end. My Granson said I was obsessed with it. Ha , Ha!!!!! I will surely miss it very , very much. I hope The Borgias will at least come close to being as good as The Tudors. I can’t wait to see it.
I suspect it will be sensationalist with little historical integrity. I have not bothered with the Tudors, though I love the period because the reviews I read of it did not impress me. So I think I’m with CharleyBrown on this one, not that I object in principle to “rampant corruption, murder etc only to it being milked for shock effect.
Janette