The Choice

The Choice is the fifth episode of season two, and the fourteenth episode of the series. It was written by Neil Jordan, and directed by Kari Skogland.

Plot synopsis
The Pope dispatches Cesare to the castle of Catherina Sforza to demand her allegiance, and Cesare deals with the cunning Sforzas decisively; Alexander disguises himself and travels to Florence to hear the fiery preacher Savonarola, not realizing that Della Rovere is trying to recruit the rebellious holy man to his cause.

Appearances
Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia

François Arnaud as Cesare Borgia

Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia

Joanne Whalley as Vanozza Cattaneo

Lotte Verbeek as Giulia Farnese

Sean Harris as Micheletto Corella

Steven Berkoff as Girolamo Savonarola

Julian Bleach as Niccolo Machiavelli

Peter Sullivan as Cardinal Ascanio Sforza

Colm Feore as Giuliano Della Rovere

Gina McKee as Catherina Sforza

Barbara Flynn as Isabella

Ronan Vibert as Giovanni Sforza

Jesse Bostick as Antonello

Roger Lloyd-Pack as Friar

Noah Silver as Benito Sforza

Bosco Hogan as Cardinal Alessandro Piccolomini

Anton Giltrap as Choir Boy

Darwin Shaw as Augustino

Cesare Taurasi as Piero de Medici

Katie McGuinness as Beatrice

Jacqui Dankworth as Rosa

Vernon Dobtcheff as Cardinal Julius Versucci

Sophie Thompson as Catherina's Servant

Poll
What did you think of The Choice? Awesome Good OK Poor Terrible

Historical notes

 * Caterina's eldest son's name was Ottaviano, not Benito. None of her sons were named Benito.
 * Cesare Borgia did not murder Giovanni Sforza. Giovanni died in Pesaro in 1510, outliving Cesare by three years.

Sneak peeks


Behind the scenes
