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Medici: Masters of Florence
Medici: Masters of Florence “The spectacular historical drama of
  Italy’s most powerful and influential
  banking dynasty, Medici: Masters of
  Florence, stars Hollywood giant Dustin
  Hoffman as the head of the Medici
  dynasty whose mysterious death is
  followed by the threat of war and the
  scheming of enemies against the family;
  and is a fascinating tale of political
  rivalry, sexual liaisons, adultery, murder
  and intrigue...”

ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL FLORENTINE FAMILIES and bankers to the Pope, the colourful, influential and proud Medicis are nonetheless not immune from corruption, jealousy, scandal, sickness and even murder.

With the sudden death of the head of the Bank of Medici, Giovanni (Dustin Hoffman), his sons Cosimo (Richard Madden: Game of Thrones) and Lorenzo (Stuart Martin) try to keep from public knowledge the dangerous secret that they believe their father was poisoned by persons unknown.

“Medici:
Masters of Florence.
A lavish, amazing
and very compelling tale
of the real-life Medicis
in which murder, sex,
danger and intrigue,
stunning Italian sets and
fine acting all meld into
a totally believable
historical drama...”
Cosimo's close friend Marco Bello (Guido Caprino) helps him investigate his father's death; but Giovanni had upset many people, not least his sons, and there are more murders to follow.

Cosimo, whose dreams of becoming an artist and finding love with artist's model Bianca (Miriam Leone) were shattered by Giovanni, who then forced his son into a marriage with Contessina (Annabel Scholev), the daughter of a troubled banker, while Lorenzo's pregnant lover was hastily hustled out of Florence.

Taking his father's seat on the Signoria, Cosimo discovers that Rinaldo Albizzi (Lex Shrapnel), a rival of the Medicis who plots against the family and bears a grudge against them, is hustling for a war with Milan after an attack on Lucca.

When the war comes, it ruins Florence. Cosimo attempts to make peace, having already faced the decision of where his loyalty should lie — regardless of the choices his father would have made.

Commissioning Filippo Brunelleschi (Alessandro Prezlosi) to build a dome for the cathedral attracts criticism, but when the black plague reaches Florence, Cosimo opens the cathedral as a hospital.

The Medicis financial crisis deepens and Cosimo is arrested on a trumped-up charge and may be facing the death sentence. He has fallen in love with a beautiful slave, Maddelena (Sarah Felberbaum), thus creating personal problems and rumours abound about him having blood on his hands.

Cosimo needs to hold onto the Vatican's banking, protecting all his family has worked so hard for, and to get back the respect the family once enjoyed in Florence. But will he finally find happiness with his wife, whose loyalty extends beyond duty?

Scoring an impressive 88 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, Medici: Masters of Florence is described as a thrilling tale of money, sex and power. Full of intrigue and suspense, the historical drama follows the twists and turns through war, plague, malicious jealousies and even exile as the family attempts to hold onto power despite strong opposition.

A lavish, amazing and very compelling tale of the real-life Medicis in which murder, sex, danger and intrigue, stunning Italian sets and fine acting all meld into a totally believable historical drama.

Medici: Masters of Florence Season One also features: Alessandro Sperdutias as Piero, Cosimo's son; Valentina Bellè as Lucrezia, Piero's wife; Ken Bones as Ugo Bencini, a Medici Bank Administrator; Brian Cox as Guadagni, An Officer of the Signoria; Tatjana Nardone as Emilia, Contessina's Maid; Valentina Cervi as Alessandra Albizzi, wife to Rinaldo; Eugenio Franceschini as Ormando, Rinaldo and Alessandra's son; Daniel Caltagirone as Pazzi, the powerful master of the Signoria; Michael Schermi as Ricciardo, who is loyal to Cosimo; Alessandro Prezlosi as Brunelleschi, Cosimo's lover; and David Bamber as Pope Eugenius IV. #Series Music by Paolo Buonvino; Series Cinematography by Vittorio Omedeizorini; Series Costumes Designed by Alessandro Lai; Creative Producer is Sara Melodia; Series Writing Credits include Nicholas Meyer, Frank Spotnitz, Mark Denton, John Fay and Francesca Gardiner; Executive Producers are: Luca Bernabei, Matilde Bernabei, Sharon Remmer, Huw Kennair-Jones, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan and Daniele Passini; Producer is Frank Spotnitz and Fania Petrocchi; Series Directed by Sergio Mimica Gessan.

* Following a run on Netflix, the epic historical drama series Medici: Masters of Florence Season One is released in the UK on DVD by Acorn Media on 11 December 2017. Certificate: 15 | Running Time: 432 Minutes Approximately on Two Discs | Catalogue Number: AV3414 | RRP: £24.99.

Special Features: The Making of Medici: Masters of Florence | Set Designing | The Look of the Century | Picture Gallery.

"Medici: Masters of Florence… A lavish, amazing and very compelling tale of the real-life Medicis in which murder, sex, danger and intrigue, stunning Italian sets and fine acting all meld into a totally believable historical drama" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar

"Nail-biting tension" — Irish Independent
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