The Borgia 20062006 Top -

: Also known as Borgia: Faith and Fear , this series was a French‑German‑Czech co‑production created by Tom Fontana. It aired on Canal+ (France) and ZDF (Germany) from 2011 to 2014, running for three seasons.

The film opens with Rodrigo Borgia using bribery and political maneuvering to win the papal election. Once he becomes Pope Alexander VI, the plot follows his ruthless efforts to secure power for his lineage, primarily by arranging strategic marriages for his children while using his position to attack rivals. A central tragedy is the brutal assassination of his favorite son, the handsome and favored Juan (Sergio Múñiz). The power dynamics shift as César, initially destined for the Church, renounces his cardinal's robes to become a condottiero (a military leader) and avenge his brother. The story also touches on the scandalous rumors of Rodrigo's incestuous relationship with his daughter Lucrezia and her own ambiguous bond with César, before culminating in a grim finale where Rodrigo, likely poisoned, dies a wretched death.

| Actor | Role | |-------|------| | | Rodrigo Borgia / Pope Alexander VI | | Sergio Peris‑Mencheta | César Borgia | | María Valverde | Lucrecia Borgia | | Paz Vega | (supporting role) | | Ángela Molina | (supporting role) | | Sergio Muñiz | Juan Borgia | | Eloy Azorín | Jofré Borgia | | Linda Batista | Sancha of Aragon | the borgia 20062006 top

“Jeremy Irons leads the cast, giving life to the Pope in a great performance, at his best level.”

If you are convinced and ready to dive into the superior Borgia series, you may want to seek out its most acclaimed episodes. According to fan ratings and reviews, these are the standout hours that showcase the series at its best: : Also known as Borgia: Faith and Fear

Where the Showtime version feels like a decadent painting by Bouguereau—soft, beautiful, and airbrushed— Borgia (Canal+) looks like a Caravaggio: stark shadows, ugly truths, and blood that doesn’t shimmer. It was shot on location in Budapest and Rome, not on a soundstage. The Vatican feels cramped, muddy, and political. You can practically smell the sweat, the incense, and the fear.

The Variety review of the time captures the film's strengths and weaknesses perfectly, describing it as "a muted, character-based approach that's more interested in real lives than legends" but ultimately a "staid drama". Despite its flaws, Los Borgia proved one thing beyond any doubt: the appetite for a gritty, sprawling, and more historically-rooted Borgia saga was immense. Once he becomes Pope Alexander VI, the plot

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: Appointed as the Captain of the Vatican army, much to the jealousy of his siblings. Cesare Borgia

: The film was originally set to be directed by José María Sánchez, but he was forced to leave the project due to illness and was replaced by Antonio Hernández shortly before his death in June 2006.