“The Borgias is a thing of beauty, aiming for the same rich colors and painterly qualities of some of the era's great artworks.” Rotten Tomatoes

“These kinds of grand historical reimaginings can be a scrumptious combination of costume drama acting, soap opera theatrics and pay cable promiscuousness.” The Hollywood Reporter · 15 years ago

While Irons was the initial draw, Francois Arnaud’s Cesare Borgia emerged as a standout, often overshadowing other characters with his "devious" and strong presence.

Season 1 of (2011) established the show as a visually stunning, high-stakes historical drama centered on the corruption and family loyalty of the infamous House of Borgia. Critical Reception & Style

Reviewers widely praised the show's production values, often describing it as "a thing of beauty" that captured the rich, painterly quality of Renaissance art. Critics noted that while the first season took time to establish its world, it successfully delivered a blend of "mechanical exposition and soulless melodrama" that kept audiences engaged through intrigue.

The show was frequently criticized for prioritizing entertainment over accuracy, with some reviewers noting that it smoothed over the era's more shocking realities to appeal to modern sensibilities. Human Voice Quotes

The season followed Rodrigo’s rise to the papacy through bribery and his subsequent transformation into a "holy figure" who left "dirty deeds" to his son, Cesare.

Critics and viewers often highlighted the show's "guilty pleasure" nature and its balance of historical drama with soap opera theatrics.