Watch Leonardo

Leonardo is a historical drama series that premiered on The CW in April 2021. The show portrays the life of Leonardo da Vinci, the renowned Italian polymath, painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, inventor, and writer of the Renaissance period. The series is set in 15th-century Italy, and the plot centers on Leonardo's struggles with his personal demons and professional challenges as an artist in a time of great artistic and scientific activity. The show's creators have worked hard to introduce elements of mystery and suspense into the plot, as Leonardo's curious nature and unconventional ideas often place him in tricky situations.

The first season of Leonardo features eight episodes, each of which takes its cue from a specific work or aspect of Leonardo's life. For example, the first episode is titled "The Muse," and it explores Leonardo's relationship with his muse, Caterina (Matilda De Angelis), who becomes the subject of several of his works.

The show's cast is led by Aidan Turner, who portrays Leonardo with sensitivity and passion. Turner is best known for his work on the BBC series Poldark and the movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Matilda De Angelis brings a mix of vulnerability and strength to the role of Caterina, and she and Turner have excellent on-screen chemistry.

Another standout performance in the series comes from Freddie Highmore, who plays Stefano Giraldi, a police inspector who is tasked with tracking down Leonardo's allegedly stolen painting, The Annunciation. Highmore is best known for his work on the TV series Bates Motel and the movie The Good Doctor.

Giancarlo Giannini portrays Verrocchio, Leonardo's mentor and teacher, while James D'Arcy plays the role of Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, who commissions several of Leonardo's paintings. Both actors bring gravitas and depth to their characters, and they help to ground the show in a historical reality.

Supporting cast members like Max Bennett (who plays Leonardo's friend, Salai), Miriam Dalmazio (who portrays Clara), and Robin Renucci (who plays Leonardo's father) also deliver strong performances.

The show's production values are top-notch, with impressive period sets and costumes, along with some beautifully-shot cinematography. The series is a co-production between several European networks and streaming services, including RAI, France 2, and Amazon Prime Video.

Overall, Leonardo is an engaging and entertaining series that offers a fresh take on one of history's most fascinating figures. The show blends historical accuracy with a touch of artistic license, and it portrays Leonardo as both a genius and a flawed human being. Fans of historical dramas and art-related content will surely enjoy this series.

Leonardo is a series that ran for 2 seasons (27 episodes) between August 16, 2022 and on CW