Fans battle to bring back The Borgias (TELEGRAPH)

By Caroline Hedley, Los Angeles5:56PM BST 22 Jun 2013

Devotees of the acclaimed historical drama starring Jeremy Irons as the corrupt 15th century Pope Alexander VI are to send hundreds of cans of sardines to the office of Showtime’s head of entertainment David Nevins, after the network announced it had cancelled plans for a promised fourth season of the show.

“Many of us feel that we have been cheated,” said Barbara Christel, organiser of the Bring Back The Borgias Facebook group.

“We were told we would have four seasons originally, but The Borgias was cancelled with just two episodes left of the third season. In one episode, Pope Alexander told his Cardinals: 'We shall dine on sardines’ during Lent. We decided to send cans of sardines to Showtime on June 28th as a sign that we, the fans, feel deprived.” The third series of the drama, written by Oscar-winning filmmaker Neil Jordan, is currently airing on a satellite channel in Britain but has already concluded in the US. The show also stars British actress Holliday Grainger as Medieval Italy’s notorious femme fatale, Lucrezia Borgia.

The lavishly-produced series, which was filmed on location in Budapest, is estimated to have cost almost £2.5 million an episode to create.

Despite a warm industry reception — The Borgias received 10 Emmy award nominations, a Golden Globes nod for Irons, and was described as “addictively entertaining” and “sumptuous” by critics - its third season ratings were steady but unspectacular, with an average of 2.4 million weekly viewers.

An online petition against the premature cancellation of the next series has attracted more than 10,000 signatures, and a Twitter campaign #SaveTheBorgias sparked more than 3400 Tweets in one hour.

One devoted fan has even created a range of T-shirts, bearing the slogan: “We are Borgia (sic) and we feel unloved.” Josef Alti, who plays Pypar in the US fantasy drama Game Of Thrones, is supporting the campaign, and François Arnaud, who plays papal progeny Cesare Borgia, has openly expressed his disappointment at the series’ termination.


READ MORE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/10136776/Fans-battle-to-bring-back-The-Borgias.html

Helena Bonham Carter to Play Fairy Godmother in Disney's 'Cinderella' (Exclusive) 3:56 PM PDT 6/20/2013 by Borys Kit (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

Kenneth Branagh is directing the live-action fantasy, which already has Cate Blanchett playing the role of the wicked stepmother.

Helena Bonham Carter has nabbed the plum role, or perhaps it’s the pumpkin role, of the fairy godmother in Disney’s live-action version of Cinderella.

Kenneth Branagh is directing the movie project, which sees Lily James in the title role, Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother and Game of Thrones' Richard Madden as the prince. Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey) and Holliday Granger (The Borgias) are playing the stepsisters.

The fairy godmother will be getting more screen time in this version than in Disney’s classic animated movie, with the character disguised as an old beggar who watches over Cinderella before revealing herself as the magical being she truly is.

READ MORE:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/helena-bonham-carter-boards-cinderella-572595

The Borgias' Holliday Grainger Will Ridicule Cinderella In Kenneth Branagh's Adaptation Author: Nick Venable (CINEMA BLEND)

Kenneth) Branagh already has a strong cast lined up for Cinderella, with Downton Abbey’s Lily James in the lead role and Robert Madden as her Prince Charming. As a stepsister, Grainger would be playing the daughter of Cate Blanchett, who will star as the wicked stepmother Lady Tremaine. Something tells me someone equally beautiful is going to nab the other sisterly role. Call me crazy.

I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Cinderella turned into a period piece, since it seems like Grainger has become the new Keira Knightley in that respect. She currently stars in the 15th century-set, soon-to-wrap-up Showtime drama The Borgias, and will soon star as Bonnie Parker in Lifetime’s upcoming miniseries Bonnie and Clyde. In the past two years, she’s starred in Cary Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre, Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod’s Bel Ami, Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina and Mike Newell’s Great Expectations. I wonder if she’ll ever appear in a movie with a cellphone in it.

READ MORE: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Borgias-Holliday-Grainger-Ridicule-Cinderella-Kenneth-Branagh-Adaptation-37987.html

‘The Borgias’ Season 3 Trailer: Can Only “A Borgia Love A Borgia”? (TV EQUALS)

“It seems only a Borgia can love Borgia.” The sinfully good season three trailer for Showtime’s The Borgias hints that there could be a very literal interpretation of that line awaiting us this year. After two seasons of establishing the close bond (and insane chemistry) between Borgia siblings Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) and Cesare (Francois Arnaud), the promo strongly hints that the duo’s relationship might finally take on a carnal nature. “It is a game of want and wanting,” Lucrezia tells her brother. The question is will they give in?



READ MORE: http://www.tvequals.com/2013/02/06/the-borgias-season-3-trailer-can-only-a-borgia-love-a-borgia/

The Borgias' Season 2: Lucrezia Borgia's fashion rises in power By Monique Marcil April 22, 2012 4:00 PM ET (ZAP 2 IT)

Paintings from the 15th century inspire Academy Award-winning costume designer Gabriella Pescucci to design and create some of the most intricate and beautiful costumes on television for the Sunday Showtime drama "The Borgias."

 "I love to do my job," she tells Zap2it. "It is period, and I have such a big department to work with and seamstresses and the possibility to do everything new. Not just the costumes, but also the masks, the armor and all the headpieces and the nets for their hair.

Today it's rare to have the possibility to work in this situation for television. Showtime is very generous," she says. Pescucci says her second year working on the series was even better than the first because knowing everyone on the set and being familiar with the fabric allowed her to focus more on the costumes. In the case of the character Lucrezia, played by Holliday Grainger, that meant undergoing a transformation that makes her look older and powerful.

The first two photos above are from the first season, when Lucrezia was wearing light colors to make her look younger. The third photo is from the second season, when Lucrezia wears stronger and richer colors, and her jewelry is much bigger.


READ MORE:  http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/04/the-borgias-season-2-lucrezia-borgias-fashion-rises-in-power.html

‘Borgias’ spoilers: Never murder your sister’s peasant lover (BOSTON HERALD)

On Showtime’s “The Borgias” last night, Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) was reunited with her sweet peasant lover Paulo (Luke Pasqualino).

The stable boy had traveled all the way to Rome to meet her and the child she had given birth to. Lucrezia was shocked, slightly appalled by his effrontery and then arranged to meet him for one last night of passion. And though they were both heartbroken, Lucrezia felt she had to send him away, forever.

The pope’s daughter could never be with such a commoner. It would never be allowed. They never stood a chance. And so Paolo left his beloved - unaware he was being followed by Lucrezia’s homicidal brother Juan (David Oakes), who was outraged that a mere peasant had fathered his nephew.


READ MORE (spoiler ahead):  http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/entertainment/love_that_tv/?p=1081

Sunday on Showtime's THE BORGIAS (STAGE TUBE)

STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek - A Rebellious Romance Rocks THE BORGIAS, 4/8 (TV Content)

A rebellious romance rocks THE BORGIAS on this Sunday's episode on Showtime. Last year's illicit love affair between young stable boy Paolo (Luke Pasqualino) and Lucrezia Borgia (Holliday Grainger) results in a vow: to spare his life, they must never see each other again. But when word spreads that the Borgia daughter has given birth, Paolo heads to Rome determined to rejoin her and meet the son he has never seen.

 Read more:   http://broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-Sneak-Peek-A-Rebellious-Romance-Rocks-THE-BORGIAS-48-20120413

The Borgias, Premieres Sunday, April 8, Showtime (TV BY THE NUMBERS)

PREMIERE EPISODES OF THE HIT SHOWTIME® SERIES The Borgias, Nurse Jackie AND The Big C AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW Returning Series Premiere Sunday, April 8 On SHOWTIME


The Borgias, a one-hour drama series based on the infamous Italian Renaissance family, stars Oscar®-winning actor Jeremy Irons in his Golden Globe-nominated role as Rodrigo Borgia, the cunning, manipulative patriarch of the Borgia family who ascends to the highest circles of power within Renaissance-era Italy to become Pope Alexander VI. The series also stars François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Joanne Whalley, Lotte Verbeek, David Oakes and Colm Feore. The series is an Ireland/Canada/Hungaryco-production. Academy Award® winner Neil Jordan serves as creator, executive producer and writer of the series. David Leland and Guy Burt also serve as writers during the series’ second run. James Flynn, Sheila Hockin, John Weber, David Leland, Justin Falvey and Jack Rapke serve as the executive producers.

READ THE REST:  http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/26/premiere-episodes-of-showtime-series-the-borgias-nurse-jackie-and-the-big-c-available-online-now/126071/

Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Matthew Macfadyen: Joe Wright's 'Anna Karenina' Starring Keira Knightley Set For November 9th Release (THE PLAYLIST)

NEWS BY KEVIN JAGERNAUTH | MARCH 12, 2012 |

Could Keira Knightley be angling for her second Oscar nomination this fall? You can bet Focus Features and Joe Wright hope so (and we're predicting she will) as "Anna Karenina" now has a solid release date lined up, with "The Cold Light Of Day" getting a new date and "Lola Versus" now appearing on the calendar.

First up, the experimental and likely to be eye-popping take on Leo Tolstoy's literary masterwork has now been pegged for a November 9th limited release (the same weekend "Skyfall" opens in the U.S.) But perhaps more agonizing for those looking forward to the pic stateside, is that date will be a full two months after it opens in the U.K. on September 7th.

Either way, we'll grin and bear it as this one is boasting a wealth of talent -- Jude Law, Aaron Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Olivia Williams, Ruth Wilson, Holliday Grainger -- in an ambitious undertaking that has apparently been shot largely on a single soundstage, and yes, those are English accents you'll be hearing. We're intrigued and the Oscar season date likely means a) Focus thinks they've got a contender and b) we'd wager a full run on the fall festival circuit is being prepped.


READ MORE:  http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/joe-wrights-anna-karenina-starring-keira-knightley-set-for-november-9th-release

David Oakes and Holliday Grainger discuss The Borgias (Access Hollywood)

Holliday Grainger & David Oakes Dish On ‘The Borgias’ Season Finale

“The Borgias” stars Holliday Grainger and David Oakes chat with Access about how the story will progress for their Showtime series. So, what will fans see in the season finale?


Read more:  http://www.accesshollywood.com/holliday-grainger/holliday-grainger-and-david-oakes-dish-on-the-borgias-season-finale_video_1328472

The Borgias 2nd season to premiere on Showtime (Examiner)

Actor Jeremy Irons arrives at 13th Annual Warner Bros. And InStyle Golden Globe Awards After Party at The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.

Credits:

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

 

Christine NyholmJanuary 16, 2012

"The Borgias" returns to the Showtime lineup on Sunday, April 8, 2012, according to a January 12, 2012, press release from Showtime. The Borgias stars Jeremy Irons in his Golden Globe nominated role.

Season two of THE BORGIAS finds Rodrigo Borgia/ Pope Alexander (Jeremy Irons) seeking to consolidate his power and enlisting 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. Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) forges an unlikely alliance between Vanozza and Giulia, and together they plot to battle Vatican corruption. The sibling rivalry between Cesare Borgia (Francois Arnaud) and Juan Borgia (David Oakes) will soon turn to hatred as their father’s unwavering favoritism toward Juan triggers Cesare to engage his dark side.

 

 

http://www.examiner.com/cable-tv-in-national/the-borgias-2nd-season-to-premiere-on-showtime

 

 

 

Holliday Grainger & David Oakes Dish On ‘The Borgias’ Season Finale - video

"The Borgias” stars Holliday Grainger and David Oakes chat with Access about how the story will progress for their Showtime series. So, what will fans see in the season finale?

Access Hollywood