Plot Synopsis

In 15th century Italy, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia ascends to the papacy, where he commits every sin in the book to amass and retain power and wealth for himself and his family. THE BORGIAS begins on the eve of the death of Pope Innocent VIII in 1492, where a fierce political battle ensues as cardinals campaign and bargain for the chance to be the next pope. At the time, the papacy answered to a handful of powerful, ancient Italian families, and Borgia seemed like a long-shot since he was an outsider and a Spaniard. Because these Italian families underestimated him, Borgia grabbed the throne and used all of his influence to turn the papacy into a dynastic possession for his children, while his rivals plotted with all their political might to unseat him. In 15th century Italy, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia ascends to the papacy as Pope Alexander VI, where he commits every sin in the book to amass and retain power and wealth for himself and his family. THE BORGIAS begins on the eve of the death of Pope Innocent VIII in 1492, where a fierce political battle ensues as cardinals campaign and bargain for the chance to be the next pope. At the time, the papacy answered to a handful of powerful, ancient Italian families, and Borgia seemed like a long-shot since he was an outsider and a Spaniard. Because these Italian families underestimated him, Borgia grabbed the throne and used all of his influence to turn the papacy into a dynastic possession for his children, while his rivals plotted with all their political might to unseat him. Seeking to consolidate his power, Alexander enlists his family to take an oath of revenge on the great noble houses that dared to stand against him, causing his Papacy to face political turmoil once again. But Alexander's real problems lie with his children, all of whom are growing up and defying his authority. Daughter Lucrezia forges an unlikely alliance between her mother Vanozza and her father's mistress Giulia, and together they plot to battle Vatican corruption. The sibling rivalry between sons Cesare and Juan soon turns to hatred as their father's unwavering favoritism toward Juan triggers Cesare to engage his dark side. Elsewhere in Rome, Alexander's old enemy Della Rovere has entered the city incognito and conspires to assassinate him. Season 2 ended with Cesare admitting to his father about the fratricide he committed, followed by Rodrigo being poisoned. Season 3, which premiered on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT on Showtime, picked up where the previous season left off, with Pope Alexander fighting for his life, the Cardinals jockeying for position to take over the Papacy, and Catherina Sforza dispatching Rufio, her personal assassin, to dethrone the Borgia family.