Bravo! and CTV along with Take 5 Productions jointly announce exciting additions to the cast and creative team of the upcoming 10-episode series THE BORGIAS. The accomplished Canadian team to date includes Jeremy Podeswa (THE PACIFIC, SIX FEET UNDER) who directs two episodes, Director of Photography Paul Sarossy (THE LISTENER, Chloe) and Production Designer François Seguin (The Barbarian Invasions, Lucky Number Slevin). Colm Feore (FLASHPOINT, 24) joins Jeremy Irons (Kingdom of Heaven, Being Julia) in the new Canada/Hungary/Ireland co-production.
Breakout star François Arnaud joins the cast as Cesare Borgia, Rodrigo’s (Irons) ruthless son. One of Quebec’s most promising young actors, Arnaud beat out competition from around the world, winning the role after an extensive international search. His credits include the award-winning film I Killed My Mother and the Quebec television series YAMASKA.
Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, The End of The Affair) writes and directs the first two episodes, and Michael Hirst (THE TUDORS, Elizabeth) writes episodes 3 -10. THE BORGIAS is executive produced by Sheila Hockin and John Weber (THE TUDORS, CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL), James Flynn (THE TUDORS, Angela’s Ashes), Neil Jordan and Michael Hirst.
“Assembling some of the finest talent in world – both in front of and behind the camera – is what makes international co-productions so appealing,” said Susanne Boyce President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “With THE BORGIAS, we also get a plotline loaded with scandal, corruption and deception, making this 15th century historical drama an intriguing primetime soap as well.”
“Through our international structure, we have attracted an elite level of talent from all over the world. With Bravo! and CTV’s support, we are excited to bring this series to the Canadian audience,” said John Weber, President of Take 5 Productions.
THE BORGIAS revolves around a powerful and corrupt 15th-century Italian family headed by patriarch Rodrigo Borgia (Irons), who became Pope in 1492. Feore plays Rodrigo’s arch nemesis Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2011 on Bravo! and CTV in Canada and on Showtime in the U.S.
THE BORGIAS is produced by Take 5 Productions in association with Bravo! and CTV.
