Production on Borgia, a EUR 25-million co-production between Atlantique Production/EOS, Canal + and Etic Films, began October 4 in Prague. The 12-part series is being shot at Barrandov Studios and on exterior locations in Prague and in Telč. Set in the late 15th century, the story portrays the historic Borgia family, which embodied the conflicts and contradictions of the Renaissance. On the one hand, the Borgias were ruthless, corrupt, violent and scheming. On the other hand, they brought about the flowering of Renaissance culture. Studio 5 at Barrandov is being transformed into the Sistine Chapel and the papal apartments. St. Peter’s Square and the streets of medieval Rome are being built on Barrandov's 160,000-square-meter back lot. Exterior shooting will also take place in Prague as well as in the Czech town of Telč which, with its Renaissance facades, is a UNESCO world heritage site. The director is Oliver Hirschbiegel, whose credits include The Experiment, Invasion and Downfall, which was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign-Language Film in 2005. The international cast stars John Doman (ER, The Wire), Isolda Dychauk (Faust), Andrea Sawatzki (Tatort), Udo Kier (Halloween, Soul Kitchen), Assumpta Serna (Matador) and Marta Gastani (The Rite). Author and producer of the series is Tom Fontana, whose many credits include HBO's Oz and NBC's Homicide. Other crew include DOP Osuma Rawi (Tudors), set designer Bernd Lepel (Downfall, Pope Joan) and costume designer Sergio Ballo (Vincere). International distribution of the English-language production is being handled by Beta Film.