When it comes to TV shows likeGame of Thrones, few series have managed to strike the same balance of gripping political maneuvering, shocking betrayals, and high-stakes drama. HBO’s epic fantasy may have ended in 2019, but its legacy continues to shape what audiences look for in a prestige drama - the layered characters, the dangerous ambitions, and the looming question of who will rise and who will fall. Outside of spinoffs likeHouse of the Dragon, though, it’s surprisingly rare to find another show that captures the same masterful tension and constant power struggles.
However, a Showtime series that originally ran from 2011-2013 delivers just that. This 3-season gem is a historical epic filled with scandal, secrets, and family betrayals that feel every bit as brutal and addictive as the Seven Kingdoms at war. Set in Renaissance-era Italy and centered on one of history’s most notorious families, this series plays out like areal-world version ofGame of Thrones. With an 85% rating onRotten Tomatoesand three seasons of twist-filled storytelling,The Borgiasis a must-watch for fans of the genre who don’t mind swapping dragons for poison chalices.
The Borgias Brings The Political Intrigue Of King’s Landing To The Vatican
A Series With The Same Scheming And Ambition That Made Game Of Thrones So Addictive
Created by Neil Jordan,The Borgiascharts the rise of Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons), a cunning and morally flexible Spanish cardinal who manipulates his way into becoming Pope Alexander VI. However, ascending to the papacy is just the beginning.
Like the cutthroatgame for the Iron ThroneinGame of Thrones,the Vatican becomes a battleground of shifting alliances, lethal plots, and ambitious families hungry for influence. Rodrigo’s ascent places the Borgia family at the center of European politics, and with enemies around every corner, they’re constantly fighting to keep control.
Rodrigo’s children - Cesare (François Arnaud), Juan (David Oakes), and Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) - all play key roles in the family’s bid for power. Cesare, in particular,mirrorsGame of Thrones’s darker antiheroes like Jon Snow or Petyr Baelish,blending charm and violence as he carves a path through Rome’s elite.
If you loved howGame of Thronesblurred the line between hero and villain,The Borgiasoffers that in spades.
There’s a similar sense of unpredictability, withcharacters making morally murky decisions in pursuit of power, loyalty constantly being tested, and betrayals landing with thunderous consequences. If you loved howGame of Thronesblurred the line between hero and villain,The Borgiasoffers that in spades.
As a piece of prestige historical drama,The Borgiasleans into all the themes that madeGame of Thronesso irresistible: ambition, corruption, manipulation, and the price of power. While there’s no magical prophecy or Night King looming over the horizon, the threat here is human, and often just as dangerous. For fans ofGame of Thrones,The Borgiasis a stunning counterpart that trades fantasy for fact, but loses none of the edge.
Just Like Game Of Thrones, The Borgias Doesn’t Hold Back On Scandal
The Borgias Is As Steeped In Twisted Romance And Shocking Secrets As Game Of Thrones Ever Was
Despite its historical setting,The Borgiasgoes toe-to-toe withGame of Throneswhen it comes to adult themes and jaw-dropping scandal. The series is unflinching in its portrayal of corruption within the Catholic Church, power wielded through sex and manipulation, and some of the most eyebrow-raising relationships ever put to screen. LikeGame of Thrones,The Borgias isn’ta show for the faint of heart.
One of the most talked-about elements of the show is the deeply complicated relationship between Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. Their bond begins as a powerful sibling alliance, but the chemistry between them becomes increasingly fraught with tension, eventually giving way to an incestuous relationship thatstrongly mirrors the dynamic betweenCersei and Jaime Lannister. It’s provocative, it’s messy, and it raises all the same taboo questions thatGame of Thronesconfronted with bold, unapologetic storytelling.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Irons delivers a masterclass performance as Pope Alexander VI, a man who turns a blind eye to the rumors surrounding his children while engaging in scandalous affairs of his own.Much like Tywin Lannister, he’sa patriarch who values power over morality- and who expects his family to carry on that legacy, no matter the personal cost.
TV shows likeGame of Thronesoften revel in exposing the rot behind the throne.The Borgiasdoes the same, peeling back the layers of opulence and holiness to reveal the bloodstained secrets beneath. Its scandals aren’t just shocking for shock’s sake, they expose the moral decay at the heart of a powerful institution, just asGame of Thronesdid with Westeros.
Few Shows Are As Violent As Got, But The Borgias Comes Close
From Assassinations To Burnings, The Borgias Isn’t Shy About Using Brutal Violence To Tell Its Story
WhileThe Borgiasdoesn’t feature dragons melting armies or zombie hordes laying siege to castles, its violence is just as visceral. For a historical show centered on religion and politics, it doesn’t shy away from showing the deadly stakes of power. Stabbings, poisonings, public executions, and even brutal torture sequences are all part of the tapestry - the cost of betrayal is as steep in the Vaticanas it is in Westeros.
Cesare Borgia emerges as one of the show’s most violent figures, often acting as the family’s enforcer and assassin. LikeGame of Thrones’s Arya Stark or The Hound, he doesn’t flinch when it comes time to silence a threat - even if it means killing someone close to him. In one particularly chilling sequence, Cesare murders his own brother, Juan,echoing many of the family betrayals that definedGame of Thrones’s most unforgettable episodeslike “The Rains of Castamere” or “Baelor.”
WhileThe Borgiasdoesn’t boast sprawling scenes of medieval combat like thebest battle scenes inGame of Thrones,it offers a more intimate kind of brutality. Every dagger to the gut or burning at the stake feels deeply personal. The violence is never just for spectacle - it’s part of the show’s larger tapestry of ambition and decay.
Game of Thronesraised the bar for how ruthless prestige drama could be, and whileThe Borgiasmay be more grounded, it’s no less intense. It’s a blood-soaked chess match where violence is just another move in the pursuit of power. Fans ofGame of Throneslooking for another series where no one is safe and every choice has consequences will find plenty to love here.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
The Borgias
The Borgias is a historical drama television series that explores the rise of the Borgia family to the papacy in Renaissance Italy during the 15th century. The series, created by Neil Jordan, stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI, François Arnaud as his son Cesare, and Holliday Grainger as their daughter Lucrezia.
