Jeremy Irons Rocks

I've never doubted that I would love the new TV drama The Borgias which debuted last Sunday night on Bravo! But it turned out that the first two episodes of the nine-part, hour-long TV series exceeded all my expectations. It's like watching The Tudors, but even better.

Set at the 15th century Italy in 1492 at the height of the Renaissance, this period drama is all about hypocrisy, sex, power and animal magnetism. Jeremy Irons as the Papal Rodrigo Borgia is the ultimate evil holy man. At 62, Irons still has that 'creepiness' in him since his Dead Ringers days.

Shot in Hungary which serves as the ancient Rome, the cinematography is unparalleled. Neil Jordan of The Crying Game fame is in the Director chair in this Canadian, Hungarian and Irish international co-production.

Canadian veteran actor Colm Feore is at his best as Borgia's arch rival Cardinal Della Rovere. Another Canadian Francois Arnaud is mesmerizing as Rodrigo's son Cesare. The suspense built up by The New York Times just prior to its debut really intrigued me. Jeremy Irons was commenting on the fact that when he first received the script, he told director Neil Jordan that he found it difficult to play Roderigo who was so bloated that he could hardly fit his coffin when he passed away. But judging from the first two episodes, the tall and lanky Irons played the role with perfection. And the women who played his daughter and his first mistress are heavenly beauties.

I'll be very surprised if this TV drama doesn't move forward to win numerous awards in the coming months.