The historical period drama series on Channel 4 has been hailed as a 'masterpiece' by fans, with viewers dubbing it 'wickedly entertaining' and 'exceptionally well-acted'.08:46, 20 Jul 2026A period drama series streaming free on Channel 4 has been hailed a 'masterpiece' by viewers who are declaring it's 'the best historical drama' they have ever seen on television.‌What's more? It's based on harrowing true events from world history and has been deemed as one of the 'most historically accurate series' ever to be produced.‌A fantastic script, fleshed out storylines, elaborate costumes, historical accuracy and attention to detail — these are the key elements considered to be crucial for nailing a historical period drama. This little-known series is being hailed for delivering all this and more — and audiences are completely hooked.‌The Borgias has viewers in a chokehold, with audiences heaping praise on the series from every direction. It's even being called the perfect substitute for acclaimed historical dramas like Versailles, The Tudors, and Wolf Hall, with fans saying it's an 'exceptional masterpiece' that 'left them wanting more'.Developed by Academy Award-winner Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, 1992) who co-wrote it alongside David Leland and Guy Burt, The Borgias first debuted on television on Showtime in the US in April 2011 and continued for three seasons, concluding in 2013.‌The costume drama unfolds against the setting of the Italian Renaissance and focuses on the Spanish-origin Borgia family, among the most notorious and contentious papal families in history, and their shocking rise to the papacy, reports the Liverpool Echo.The Borgias features Jeremy Irons in the lead role as Pope Alexander VI, with the Academy Award-winning actor joined by François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, David Oakes, Colm Feore, Joanne Whalley, and Gina McKee, completing an exceptionally gifted ensemble cast who have garnered widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics.The filming for The Borgias took place mainly at Etyek's Korda Studios, just west of the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Much to fans' dismay — the series was cancelled in 2013 after just three seasons, with the expense of production implied to be the reason behind the axing. Plans for a two-hour finale to wrap up the entire series and its loose ends were also scrapped.‌Disheartened fans even started a campaign to convince Showtime to revive the series and give them the closure they desired, however the petition was not successful. Instead, it was announced that the script for the initially planned 2-hour finale episode would be released as an e-book.The Borgias boasts an impressive 85% average score on Rotten Tomatoes across all three seasons, and has received glowing reviews from all quarters.One critic said of the series: "Presented with all the brio, flair and sumptuous design TV can muster, the infamous family is almost addictively entertaining."‌While another reviewer simply wrote: "You're in for a full-out good time."A third critic speaking about the three seasons of the show added: "The Borgias has returned in full, beautiful form... A masterpiece of both editing and performance."‌While one reviewer said: "The Borgias will be the favoured poison of a lot of people and it comes in a beautiful chalice. But it would be worth watching simply for the magnificence of Irons's performance."Viewers have been similarly bowled over, with one user review on IMDB saying: "Engrossing. Amazing. Beautiful. This is by far the best historical drama I have ever seen! The acting was completely amazing and it kept me completely entranced up to the very last second! In fact, I was so entranced that I finished the series in less than a week. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical dramas!"An audience review on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "An exceptionally well acted rendition of the most interesting papal family ever. The sets and costumes are the best on TV and immerse you from the first time you look at the screen. The characters are all wonderfully different and interesting and the historical aspect is great. The directing and writing is more than competent as well."‌While one fan posted on IMDB: "A masterpiece! The atmosphere was perfectly depicted. The characters were so well portrayed according to the stories. The acting was very good. The script is fluid."I have watched this movie after one decade and I still vote it to be nominated for some awards. My only regret is that Borgia series wasn't finished."Another fan of the historical series said: "It's rare that you find a series nowadays that has it all - but as far as I'm concerned & I've seen my share, The Borgias does. They have done EVERYTHING right on this show."Article continues belowThey added: "Created by our own Neil Jordan (I am Irish btw), it is rumoured o be one of the most historically accurate period pieces on tv. From the casting, to the Hungarian sets, to the sumptuous cinematography to the writing & direction, every episode left me wanting more."The Borgias is available to stream for free on Channel 4.