Netflix acquires Euro copro Borgia

US video-on-demand operator Netflix has acquired online television rights to Canal+ drama Borgia.

This marks the first time that the company has picked up first run rights to a European series and follows its move into original production with David Fincher’s House of Cards.

Tom Fontana, creator of prison drama Oz and writer on series including Homicide, told local press that Netflix will air the series ahead of a DVD release through Lionsgate.

The series, which is coproduced by Lagardere Entertainment-owned producer Atlantique Production, EOS Entertainment and Steven Bawol’s Helion Pictures, has already been picked up by Canal+ in France, Sky Italia, Germany’s ZDF, Austria’s ORF and HBO in Latin America.

The €30 million drama, which follows the rise of Rodrigo Borgia and his family as they run the Vatican during the Renaissance, was shot in English with an international cast.

Beta Film, which holds the international distribution rights, launched the series internationally at MIP TV. It is one of two series about the historical Italian family. The other series, The Borgias aired on US cable net Showtime.