A viewer who watched both concluded: “I found the Showtime version better and more enjoyable than the European one, despite both having historical inaccuracies.”
Wait—2006? Didn’t that show air in 2011? This is the first point of confusion. The European production (often tagged as Borgia: Faith and Fear or Borgia 2006 to distinguish it) actually premiered in 2011 as well. However, its production style, gritty aesthetic, and 2006 copyright date on many international releases have led fans to call it the "2006 version."
, directed by Antonio Hernández, is a brutal, character-driven look at history’s most infamous family. Ubuy Palestine Why it’s worth a watch: The Family Dynasty:
: Forced into the clergy as a cardinal despite his military ambitions, Cesare is portrayed as a volatile, often "psycho" strategist who later inspires Machiavelli’s The Prince Lucrezia Borgia the borgia 20062006 top
The 2006 film Los Borgia (released internationally as The Borgia ) is a lush, ambitious Spanish-Italian production that attempts to humanize one of history's most notorious dynasties. Directed by Antonio Hernández, the film serves as a "top" choice for viewers seeking a more grounded, historically conscious take on the Renaissance family compared to the more sensationalized television series that followed. A More Human Portrait of Infamy
as Rodrigo Borgia: Provides a nuanced portrayal of a man who behaves more like a secular emperor than a religious leader.
The cunning patriarch who uses the Papacy to elevate his family. Cesare Borgia A viewer who watched both concluded: “I found
Another user praised how the characters—usually seen as evil incarnate—were depicted as “fully human, at times even likable, without taking away anything of the gruesomeness of their deeds.” The film also avoids cheap sensationalism, turning a “black page in church history into a lively period piece.”
Contrary to older, simplistic portrayals of her as a pure poisoner, modern retellings—including many focusing on this era—portray Lucrezia as a woman navigating a dangerous patriarchal world.
Given the structure of the phrase, this likely refers to one of two things: The European production (often tagged as Borgia: Faith
Interest in the Borgia family remains high. A 2026 article in the Express proclaimed: “‘Unmissable’ period drama starring Jeremy Irons is ‘better than Conclave’,” praising its “stellar cast, accurate depictions of the time with costumes.” Both the Showtime and Canal+ series have strong followings, and episodes regularly appear on streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Canal+’s own platform.
In 2006, Spanish television (Antena 3) released the historical drama series Los Borgia , directed by Antonio Hernández. This production focused on Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) and his children Cesare and Lucrezia. It was notable for its Spanish-Italian co-production and its darker, more psychological take on the family’s rise and moral corruption compared to later series like The Borgias (Showtime, 2011) or Borgia (Canal+, 2011).
It is highly likely you are looking for the 2011 series, as there were no major Borgia TV releases in 2006. However, there was a 2006 movie titled The Borgia (starring Lluis Homar), but it is less common.