The Borgias

Season 1 M-Net Edge (*102) 22:00 & 23:00 Drama

Jeremy Irons is especially shady as the corrupt Rodrigo Borgia in period drama series The Borgias (2011-2013). Set in the late 1400s, Rodrigo is made Pope Alexander VI after he poisons and bribes his way to the top of the Catholic church and it’s a role that pushed the actor.

1 Sixty-eight-year-old Jeremy didn’t think he was suitable for the role of historically overweight slob Rodrigo. “I told them [the show’s bosses], ‘You don’t want me. You need James Gandolfini.’ I could think of five actors who would physically be right for the role. I can’t play that guy,” says Jeremy. He accepted the role when he was told that they needed someone who could portray the corrupting effects of power.

2 Borgias costume designer Gabriella Pescucci based Rodrigo’s outfits on artwork. For the coronation scene in episode 1, Jeremy had to carry four heavy layers of costume. “The big cape weighed about 4kg. The hat was 2kg because it was made from heavy metal and stones, nothing plastic, all real. And it was so very hot,” reveals Gabriella.

3 As a lapsed Catholic, Jeremy is no stranger to the religious themes. He also played John The Baptist in the 1971 London stage musical Godspell.

4 Jeremy even owns mansions likened to his character’s palaces. In 2008, he bought and restored Kilcoe Castle in Ireland, which dates back to the 15th century. “Sometimes I look as if I collect things [he has seven other homes], but I don’t really; I just don’t throw things away,” he admits. “I’m glad my children [photographer Sam and actor Max, both with wife of 39 years Sinead Cusack] are now buying their own property because I can hand furniture and pictures on to them.”