Period drama Borgia, filmed in the Czech Republic from autumn 2010 to spring 2011, has set a new audience record for Canal+, according to the show’s international sales agent, Beta Film. The series, starring John Dorman (HBO’s The Wire), debuted October 10 to an audience of 1.7 million on the French pay TV network.
In Italy, the mini-series doubled its audience over a 12-episode run in that territory. The show sees its German debut October 17, broadcast on ZDF. Audiences in Israel, Japan, Latin America, Russia, Spain and the U.S. will be able to catch Borgia in the coming weeks.
Last autumn, Czech crews working on Borgia under the direction of production designer Bernd Lepel (Downfall, Pope Joan) built a nearly exact copy of the Sistine Chapel on a soundstage at Barrandov Studios. They also recreated Rome’s St. Peter’s Square on the Barrandov backlot.
Local crews used Renaissance-era techniques to remodel rooms of Prague’s 16th century Martinic Palace for Borgia. The palace owner was so pleased with the effect that he has kept the decoration since the production was completed.
Four directors took turns at the helm of the mini-series. Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall, Five Minutes of Heaven) directed the first four episodes, while other episodes were directed by Metin Hüseyin, Christoph Schrewe and Dearbhla Walsh.
Borgia is a co-production between Atlantique Production/EOS, Canal + and Etic Films. Beta Film has sold the series to 40 countries worldwide. The production was awarded a rebate of CZK 31.5m from the Film Industry Support Programme in 2010. A second series is under consideration.