Jeremy Irons received high praise for his portrayal of Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), capturing the character’s internal conflict and political ambition.
“The Borgias is a thing of beauty, aiming for the same rich colors and painterly qualities of some of the era's great artworks.” Rotten Tomatoes
Despite their crimes—including murder, simony, and incest—the Borgias were depicted as a "close-knit and loving family" prioritizing each other's survival.