Da Vinci's Demons Explained

Creator:David S. Goyer
Theme Music Composer:Bear McCreary
Composer:Bear McCreary
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:28
Producer:Marco Ramirez
Matthew Bouch
Location:Wales
Camera:Multiple
Runtime:46–56 minutes

Da Vinci's Demons is a historical fantasy drama television series that presents a fictional account of Leonardo da Vinci's early life.[1] [2] The series was conceived by David S. Goyer and stars Tom Riley in the title role.[3] It was developed and produced in collaboration with BBC Worldwide and was shot in Wales.[4] The series has been distributed to over 120 countries.[5]

The show follows Leonardo as he is implicated in the political schemes of the Medici and Pazzi families and their contrasting relationships with the Catholic Church. These events occur alongside Leonardo's quest to obtain a mystical text called the Book of Leaves, which leads him to become entangled with a cult known as the Sons of Mithras.

The series premiered in the United States on Starz on 12 April 2013, and its second season premiered on 22 March 2014.[6] The series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on 24 October 2015.[7] On 23 July 2015, Starz announced that the third season would be the show's last.[8] However, Goyer has left it open for a miniseries return.[9]

Plot

A fictionalised story based on historical persons, the series explores the early life of Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance in Italy. He is an eccentric genius who has struggled to deal with his inner demons and unruly imagination, as he yearns for acceptance from his estranged father. Their sometimes antagonistic relationship results in Leonardo's working for the House of Medici. While doing so, he becomes embroiled in a political scheme to control Florence, as he hunts for a spy who is revealing information to the Catholic Church and the Pazzi family. He also begins an affair with Lucrezia Donati, Lorenzo de' Medici's mistress. The series depicts many of Leonardo's inventions and subsequent works as a military engineer for the Duke of Milan and the Borgias.

These events coincide with Leonardo's quest to uncover the Book of Leaves, which a mysterious cult known as the Sons of Mithras also consider very important. Mystics and the cult guide him to unlock the 'hidden areas of his mind' by accessing the Fountain of Memory, and inform him that he has the power to see the future and also to shape it.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest and cameo

Casting

Tom Riley was the first actor to be cast in the series, as The Hollywood Reporter announced he had landed the role of Leonardo da Vinci. Goyer and managing director Carmi Zlotnik revealed he was cast as he could portray the character with many dimensions that would appeal to a worldwide audience.[11] They later reported that Laura Haddock had been cast in the female lead as Lucrezia Donati.[12]

Production

The series marks the first collaboration between Starz and BBC Worldwide, following a new production agreement. Fox International Channels picked up the series for global distribution.[2] [13] The show was created by Goyer, who directed the first two episodes and wrote several others along writers such as Scott Gimple, Brian Nelson and Joe Ahearne.[14]

Filming for the series took place in the United Kingdom, at Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Margam Castle in Wales. A 265000square feet studio in Swansea Gate Business Park was also used and several sets were built to resemble 15th-century Florence.[15] Annie Symons was brought on board as the lead costume designer.[16] Bear McCreary composed the score for the series, and orchestrated the main theme to reflect Leonardo's use of mirror writing.[17] Goyer had a scene in episode five depicting a kiss between Leonardo and Jacopo Saltarelli filmed in secret as he feared network interference.[18]

Goyer revealed to USA Today at the New York Comic Con that season two would also be set in South America and would feature Machu Picchu and the Inca Empire. Goyer claimed that this was justified by "new research" that has revealed Chinese and European explorers may have arrived in the New World earlier than was originally believed.[19]

Sexuality of Leonardo

There is widespread belief that Leonardo was primarily if not exclusively sexually attracted to and involved with men. Goyer acknowledged this and said that the show would not shy away from the subject.[20] Riley cited that because the speculation exists it is something that should be honoured.[21]

In a later interview with the gay-interest website The Backlot, Riley expressed his hope that "The Tower" episode would address concerns about the show's depiction of Leonardo's sexuality in a way that was satisfactory and respectful to any historical beliefs.[22]

Episodes

Season 3 (2015)

On 24 October 2015, Starz released the full third season of Da Vinci's Demons on-demand.[23]

Reception

Season 1 has received favourable reviews from critics. It holds a 75% approval rating on aggregate review site Rotten Tomatoes, based on 32 collected critic reviews, with an average score of 6.1/10. The sites consensus reads: "Despite its preposterous plotting and lack of historical accuracy, Da Vinci's Demons is energetic, enjoyable escapist television."[24] It also holds a Metacritic score of 62 out of 100, based on 27 critics reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[25]

Accolades

Da Vinci's Demons received three nominations for Outstanding Main Title Design, Outstanding Main Title Theme Music and Outstanding Special Visual Effects at the 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The series won Main Title Design and Main Title Theme Music, but lost Visual Effects to the Cinemax series Banshee.[26]

Home media

DVD
TitleNo. of discsRelease date
The Complete First Season33 September 201331 March 20147 May 2014
The Complete Second Season3 (UK/US) / 4 (AUS)3 March 201513 April 20152 July 2014
The Complete Third Season3 (UK/US) / 4 (AUS)26 January 201626 January 201626 January 2016
Blu-ray
TitleNo. of discsRelease date
The Complete First Season33 September 201331 March 2014
The Complete Second Season33 March 201531 August 2015
The Complete Third Season326 January 201626 January 2016

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Da Vinci's Demons: the new TV show that totally reinvents Leonardo's life. The Guardian. Jonathan Jones. 16 April 2013 . 10 March 2014. 10 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140310065852/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2013/apr/16/da-vincis-demons-reinvents-leonardo. live.
  2. News: Starz Partners with BBC on Original Series. The Hollywood Reporter. Marisa Guthrie. 10 March 2014. 8 August 2011. 5 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140305122302/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-partners-bbc-original-series-220238. live.
  3. Web site: Starz and BBC Worldwide Productions announce new original series Da Vinci's Demons. BBC. Christine Shaw. 10 March 2014. 10 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140410120341/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2610demons.html. live.
  4. Web site: TV premiere for US show Da Vinci's Demons dazzles Neath. Wales Online. Robin Turner. 18 April 2013 . 10 March 2014. 22 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130422084645/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/da-vincis-demons-premieres-neath-2769964. live.
  5. Web site: Tom Riley: Sex, violence and playing the lead in Da Vinci's Demons. Metro. Unknown. 16 April 2013 . 10 March 2014. 9 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140309113602/http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/16/tom-riley-sex-violence-and-playing-the-lead-in-da-vincis-demons-3616969/. live.
  6. Web site: Starz Orders David Goyer's Da Vinci's Demons to Series. The Hollywood Reporter. Lesley Goldberg. 10 March 2014. 25 October 2011. 2 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140102220623/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/starz-orders-david-goyers-da-253062. live.
  7. Web site: Starz Renews David S. Goyer's Da Vinci's Demons For Season 3 With John Shiban As Showrunner. Deadline Hollywood. NellieAndreeva. 6 May 2014 . 6 May 2014. 9 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140509034911/http://www.deadline.com/2014/05/da-vincis-demons-renewed-season-3-starz-john-shiban-blackbirds/. live.
  8. Web site: 'DaVinci's Demons' Canceled by Starz After 3 Seasons; Final Season to Premiere Saturday, October 24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150724034705/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/23/davincis-demons-canceled-by-starz-after-3-seasons-final-season-to-premiere-saturday-october-24/436110/. dead. 24 July 2015. Bibel. Sara. 23 July 2015. TV by the Numbers. 23 July 2015.
  9. Web site: Da Vinci's Demons: season 4 event series planned. 15 October 2015 . 8 June 2016. 5 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160605220358/http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/da-vincis-demons/37367/da-vinci-s-demons-season-4-event-series-planned. live.
  10. Web site: Houx. Damon. 31 May 2014. 'Da Vinci's Demons' Review: "The Sins of Daedalus". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180222150318/https://screencrush.com/da-vincis-demons-season-finale-review-the-sins-of-daedalus/. 22 February 2018. 16 February 2021. ScreenCrush.
  11. News: Starz Casts British Actor Tom Riley to Play da Vinci in Drama Da Vinci's Demons. The Hollywood Reporter. Lacy. Rose. 10 March 2014. 26 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140426094039/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-leonardo-davinci-demons-british-UK-actor-tom-riley-283869. live.
  12. News: Starz's Da Vinci's Demons Casts British Actress as its Leading Lady. The Hollywood Reporter. Lesley. Goldberg. 10 March 2014. 27 March 2012. 8 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202450/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/starz-da-vincis-demons-laura-haddock-304711. live.
  13. News: BBC Worldwide Prods. eyes new shows. Variety. Jon. Weisman. 10 March 2014. 25 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131225154141/http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/bbc-worldwide-prods-eyes-new-shows-1118039521/. live.
  14. News: Universal taps writer for "Prosthesis". Variety. Dave. Mcnary. 10 March 2014. 7 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120707002839/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118053172. live.
  15. Web site: Da Vinci blockbuster could be a £60m masterpiece for Swansea Bay. This is South Wales. Elizabeth Perkins. 10 March 2014. 24 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130524181740/http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Da-Vinci-blockbuster-pound-60m-masterpiece/story-16041671-detail/story.html. live.
  16. News: Da Vinci's Demons designer Annie Symon Turns the Original renaissance man into a rock star. The Hollywood Reporter. Unknown. 10 March 2014. 26 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140426123320/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/da-vincis-demons-designer-annie-442295. live.
  17. Walking Dead composer to score DaVinci series. Entertainment Weekly. James Hibberd. 10 March 2014. 8 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140308133840/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/13/walking-dead-davinci/. live.
  18. Web site: Da Vinci's Demons Sodomy Trial Post-Mortem: Tom Riley & David S. Goyer. The Backlot. Jim Halterman. https://web.archive.org/web/20140319225241/http://www.thebacklot.com/da-vincis-demons-interview-tom-riley-david-s-goyer/05/2013/. 10 March 2014. 19 March 2014.
  19. News: Sneak peek: Season 2 of Starz's Da Vinci's Demons. USA Today. Brian Truitt. 10 March 2014. 10 October 2013. 19 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131219060322/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2013/10/10/da-vincis-demons-starz-sneak-peek-season-2/2953713/. live.
  20. Web site: Da Vinci's Demons Creator David S. Goyer Talks Not "Shying Away" From Anything. The Backlot. Jim Halterman. https://web.archive.org/web/20140309141843/http://www.thebacklot.com/davincis-demons-creator-david-s-goyer-talks-not-shying-away-from-anything/01/2013/. 10 March 2014. 9 March 2014.
  21. Web site: Interview: Tom Riley Talks Leonardo's Sexuality & Daddy Issues In Da Vinci's Demons. The Backlot. Jim Halterman. https://web.archive.org/web/20140309141846/http://www.thebacklot.com/interview-tom-riley-talks-leonardos-sexuality-daddy-issues-in-da-vincis-demons/04/2013/. 10 March 2014. 9 March 2014.
  22. Web site: Defining Da Vinci: Tom Riley Previews This Week's Revealing Episode. The Backlot. Jim Halterman. 10 March 2014. 12 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140112002159/http://www.thebacklot.com/defining-da-vinci-tom-riley-previews-this-weeks-revealing-episode/05/2013/. live.
  23. News: Andreeva. Nellie. Da Vinci's Demons & Flesh and Bone On Demand Entire Season Binge. 4 September 2015. Deadline Hollywood. 31 July 2015.
  24. Web site: Da Vinci's Demons: Season 1 (2013). Flixster. 17 June 2014. 8 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140308071836/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/da-vinci-s-demons/s01/. live.
  25. Web site: Da Vinci's Demons. CBS Interactive Inc.. 17 June 2014. 27 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140427044024/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/da-vincis-demons. live.
  26. Web site: Creative Arts Emmys 2013 Complete List of Winners. E!. Zach Johnson. 16 September 2013 . 10 March 2014. 13 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210313204715/https://www.eonline.com/news/459135/creative-arts-emmys-2013-complete-list-of-winners. live.

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