The Borgias: Season 2

2012 · 10 episodes · ★ 7.1

What Season 2 of The Borgias

Season 2 opens with Alexander VI seated on the papal throne after the French invasion, which has barely left him the papacy intact. The Pope pushes ahead with his agenda, but the Sforzas keep getting in his way, so he decides to wage war on them. Meanwhile, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere refuses to give up. After failing to remove him through legal channels, he plots to kill him. At court, the brothers Cesare and Juan clash relentlessly, and Lucrezia cares for her newborn son while her father pressures her to accept another marriage that suits his political interests.

10episodes

Apr 8, 2012premiered

Jun 17, 2012latest episode

8.7 hrtotal runtime

Season 2 Episodes

2x01 The Borgia Bull
Apr 8, 2012 · 54 min · ★ 6.4
Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover and throws a grand, pagan fete for the citizens of Rome when a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; the rivalry between brothers Cesare and Juan spills into the streets; Lucrezia tends to her newborn child; now a pastoral priest once again, Della Rovere narrowly escapes an assassination attempt.
Directing: Neil Jordan · Writing: Neil Jordan · Starring: David Oakes, Lotte Verbeek, Miklós Turek, Philip Perkinson
2x02 Paolo
Apr 15, 2012 · 48 min · ★ 6.5
The stable boy who fathered Lucrezia's child travels to Rome to rendezvous with her but suffers an unfortunate fate at the hands of Juan; the Pope's lovers Giulia and Vittoria take him in disguise on a revelatory tour of Rome's indigent.
Directing: Neil Jordan · Writing: Neil Jordan · Starring: David Oakes, Vernon Dobtcheff, Lotte Verbeek, Luke Pasqualino
2x03 The Beautiful Deception
Apr 22, 2012 · 56 min · ★ 6.9
Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo, despite his doubts about the stable boy’s suicide, causing Lucrezia to embark on a hunger strike that threatens the life of her infant son; the French army heads back to Rome, allied with Sforza; Della Rovere slips back into the city unnoticed to launch a plot against the Pope’s life.
Directing: Jon Amiel · Writing: Neil Jordan · Starring: David Oakes, Vernon Dobtcheff, Lotte Verbeek, Luke Pasqualino
2x04 Stray Dogs
Apr 29, 2012 · 53 min · ★ 6.6
Cesare recruits a band of mercenaries with the help of Micheletto to seek revenge on the retreating French troops for burning the nunnery where his beloved Ursula lived; the Pope forges more strategic alliances and enriches himself in the bargain; Lucrezia joins Giulia's quest to aid Rome's poor.
Directing: Jon Amiel · Writing: Neil Jordan · Starring: Vernon Dobtcheff, Lotte Verbeek, Giacomo Gonnella, Ivan Kaye
2x05 The Choice
May 6, 2012 · 53 min · ★ 6.7
Cesare deals with the cunning Sforzas decisively; Alexander disguises himself and travels to Florence to hear the fiery preacher Savonarola, not realizing that Della Rovere is trying to recruit the rebellious holy man to his cause.
Directing: Kari Skogland · Writing: Neil Jordan · Starring: Vernon Dobtcheff, Lotte Verbeek, Sophie Thompson, Jacqueline Dankworth
2x06 Day of Ashes
May 13, 2012 · 50 min · ★ 7.3
Alexander is convinced that a lightning strike on St. Peter's Basilica during mass was a sign of God's disapproval; Cesare tries to prove his worth as a military commander; the Pope pressures the reluctant Lucrezia to enter another political marriage.
Directing: John Maybury · Writing: David Leland · Starring: Vernon Dobtcheff, Lotte Verbeek, Giacomo Gonnella, Joseph M. Kelly
2x07 The Siege at Forli
May 20, 2012 · 52 min · ★ 7.6
Juan's triumphant return from Spain is marred by his unsuccessful siege of the Sforza castle; Lucrezia purposely scuttles a scheme to marry her off to a rich Genovese merchant; Savonarola's forces conduct the infamous "Bonfire of the Vanities".
Directing: Kari Skogland · Writing: David Leland · Starring: David Oakes, Vernon Dobtcheff, Helen Bradbury, Ivan Kaye
2x08 Truth and Lies
Jun 3, 2012 · 50 min · ★ 6.5
Juan returns to Rome trying to spin his combat injury as proof of his valor, but Cesare exposes his brother's ignoble behavior; Lucrezia takes a lover in her intended husband's younger brother; Della Rovere has recruited an angel-faced young friar as his suicide assassin, and the young man advances their agenda with a bold move against the Pope's food taster.
Directing: John Maybury · Writing: David Leland · Starring: David Oakes, Vernon Dobtcheff, Megan Cusack, Alex Lanipekun
2x09 World of Wonders
Jun 10, 2012 · 49 min · ★ 8.2
It's Easter and Alexander makes plans for a celebration to end his pious fast even as Della Rovere's assassin ascends to the position of the Pope's taster. Lucrezia's lover asks for her hand in marriage but her father dismisses him and his request. Juan's wild behavior threatens the life of Lucrezia's child, forcing Cesare to make a chilling decision about his brother.
Directing: David Leland · Writing: David Leland · Starring: David Oakes, Vernon Dobtcheff, Lotte Verbeek, Caitlin Joseph
2x10 The Confession Season Finale
Jun 17, 2012 · 58 min · ★ 8.2
Tragic news for the Borgia family is followed by a shocking revelation from Cesare; Lucrezia surprises herself by falling for a new suitor, Alfonso of Aragon, and accepts his proposal of marriage; Cesare tortures the rebel leader Savonarola but can't extract a confession, so he fakes one and burns the heretic; the assassin finally strikes with a poisoned chalice of wine.
Directing: David Leland · Writing: Guy Burt · Starring: David Oakes, Sebastian de Souza, Vernon Dobtcheff, Lotte Verbeek