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The Borgias S1E1 — The Poisoned Chalice

7.7

The Borgias•Season 1•Episode 1

The Poisoned Chalice

7.7/10 · 1,150 votesApr 3, 201150 min

Ranked #5 of 9 in Season 1•−0.1 vs season avg

Rodrigo successfully bribes and intimidates his way into an election as Pope Alexander VI, making him the new leader of the Catholic Church; powerful Cardinals Della Rovere and Orsini oppose his rise; the Borgias recruit a talented assassin named Micheletto to their cause.

Directed byNeil Jordan

Next episodeE2 · The Assassin

Seasons3

Season 1 Episodes9

The Poisoned Chalice still

E1 7.7Now viewing

The Poisoned Chalice

The Assassin still

The Assassin

The Moor still

The Moor

Lucrezia's Wedding still

Lucrezia's Wedding

The Borgias in Love still

The Borgias in Love

The French King still

The French King

Death, on a Pale Horse still

Death, on a Pale Horse

The Art of War still

The Art of War

Nessuno (Nobody) still

Nessuno (Nobody)

Cast6

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons

Rodrigo Borgia

David Oakes

David Oakes

Juan Borgia

François Arnaud

François Arnaud

Cesare Borgia

Holliday Grainger

Holliday Grainger

Lucrezia Borgia

Colm Feore

Colm Feore

Giuliano Della Rovere

Peter Sullivan

Peter Sullivan

Cardinal Ascanio Sforza

Crew9

Neil Jordan

Neil Jordan

Director

Tony Lawson

Tony Lawson

Editor

Susie Figgis

Susie Figgis

Casting Director

M

Mark Swain

Art Direction

J

Jonathan McKinstry

Supervising Art Director

M

Marilyn MacDonald

Hair Designer

L

Lisa Pickering

Key Hair Stylist

S

Sallie Hard

Second Assistant Director

R

Richard Styles

First Assistant Director

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Episode Summary

"The Poisoned Chalice" is episode 1 of The Borgias season 1. It scored 7.7/10 from 1,150 votes, ranking #5 of 9 episodes this season (season average 7.8). Directed by Neil Jordan, it aired on April 3, 2011.

Next: E2 · The Assassin Best of Season 1