Leonardo - General Discussion

[AnimeMania]

Leonardo is an 8 episode Drama TV Series airing on The CW starting on August 16 at 8 p.m. The first season of Leonardo has aired overseas (UKTV’s Drama channel May 21, 2022) and in Canada and the show has already been renewed for a Season 2. 

Aidan Turner as Leonardo da Vinci,  a tortured artist struggling for perfection, who used his artwork as a way of hiding his true self. 

Freddie Highmore plays Stefano Giraldi, a fictional police detective, investigating Leonardo da Vinci, by digging into his past in hopes of a breakthrough in a murder investigation.

Matilda de Angelis is Caterina da Cremona, Leonardo’s mysterious muse and dearest friend, who's murder is the mystery driving the TV Series.

Giancarlo Giannini is Andrea del Verrocchio, Leonardo’s mentor.

James D'Arcy plays Ludovico Sforza,  Il Moro, the Duke of Milan. 

Miriam Dalmazio as Beatrice d'Este.

Robin Renucci plays Leonardo da Vinci's father

Carlos Cuevas as Salaì, Leonardo’s apprentice and trusted friend

Alessandro Sperduti as Tommaso Masini

Hugo Becker as Thierry

Max Bennet as Cesare Borgia

[AngieBee1]

I really loved it. As much as I love Aidan Turner I never got into POLDARK so I was happy to watch him in another series. 

Very intriguing show. I called it CSI: ITALY. It's a very fitting show for the erudite Freddie Highmore to executive produce and costar in.

[Clawdette]

I have been waiting for this and am glad to see it finally has an air date.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E01: Episode 101

Milan, 1506. Leonardo is arrested for poisoning Caterina de Cremona. After protesting his innocence to Stefano Giraldi, Leonardo remembers back to his days as an apprentice in Andrea del Verrocchio's studio, where he first meets Caterina. 

Original Airdate: August 16, 2022   8 p.m.   CW    

[cardigirl]

I enjoyed this enough to want to keep watching. Aidan Turner is bonus! 

[Bookish Jen]

4 hours ago, cardigirl said:

I enjoyed this enough to want to keep watching. Aidan Turner is bonus! 

That's why I tuned in!

[AnimeMania]

S01.E02: Episode 102

With Leonardo's successes recognized and his reputation growing, a risky decision sets to destroy everything he has worked for. Leonardo receives support through new commissions (the Portrait of Ginevra de Benci and The Adoration of the Magi), but pays the price for his actions.

Original Airdate: August 23, 2022   8 p.m.   CW    

[AnimeMania]

S01.E03: Episode 103 

LEONARDO FINDS HIMSELF QUESTIONING THE MORAL COMPASS OF THOSE AROUND HIM — Seeking a new career, Leonardo (Aidan Turner) ventures to the city of Milan with a determination to claim an offer of patronage from the Duke Regent, Ludovico Sforza. When the reality of the situation turns out to be less appealing and he is assigned to produce a big theatrical entertainment instead of a painting, a newfound relationship helps liberate Leonardo’s imagination, allowing him to see his opportunity in a new light. With his presence in the city causing conflict for another, a moment of graveness puts Leonardo’s skill to the ultimate test, leaving him questioning the moral compass of those around him. 

Original Airdate: August 30, 2022   8 p.m.   CW    

[AnimeMania]

S01.E04: Episode 104

When Ludovico asks Leonardo to create a sculpture in honour of his father, Leonardo's ambitions rise as he tries to outperform. During the work, Leonardo finds himself in Gian Galeazzo Sforza, the young duke of Milan and puts trust in an unexpected source, Salaì, a resourceful thief. As he gets distracted from Caterina, Leonardo ends up in a race against time with a costly decision to make. 
EXPECTATIONS — When Ludovico asks Leonardo (Aidan Turner) to create a sculpture in honour of his father, mounted on horseback, Leonardo’s ambitions reach new heights as he endeavours to exceed the expectations placed upon him. Through preparing the work, Leonardo recognises himself in another troubled soul, the young duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Sforza, and puts trust in an unexpected source, a young, but resourceful thief called Salaì. With his attentions distracted from Caterina (Matilda De Angelis) when she would need him most, a worrying predicament leaves Leonardo determined to do the right thing. Desperate to protect those closest to him, Leonardo finds himself in a race against time with a costly decision to make.

Original Airdate: September 6, 2022   8 p.m.   CW    

[AnimeMania]

S01.E05: Episode 105  

After the death of Ludovico's wife, he is given a new art commission but struggles with inner turmoil. After reflecting on wise words from Father Luca Pacioli, Leonardo seeks assistance from friends and presses on with the work, despite tensions in the city. Putting his creativity to the test and experimenting with a new technique, he must deal with the consequences of his actions and results.
CONSEQUENCES — Following the death of Ludovico’s wife, Leonardo (Aidan Turner) is assigned a new commission (a fresco of The Last Supper in Santa Maria delle Grazie) but struggles to deal with his inner turmoil. After taking on board some wise words from Father Luca Pacioli (Giovanni Scifoni), Leonardo seeks assistance from his closest companions and presses on with the work, despite growing tensions in the city. After putting his creativity to the test and experimenting with a new technique, Leonardo is left facing the consequences of his actions as a troublesome situation escalates with devastating results. 

Original Airdate: September 13, 2022   8 p.m.   CW 

[AnimeMania]

S01.E06: Episode 106  

Returning to Florence, an uninspired Leonardo accepts to paint the portrait of Lisa Gherardini, that will become the Monna Lisa. After failing to repair his relationship with Caterina, Leonardo goes to Imola, where he receives much praise from his employer, Cesare Borgia.
OPPORTUNITIES - Returning to Florence after his years in Milan, an uninspired Leonardo (Aidan Turner) is presented with new opportunities, but has little drive to accept them, until he is asked to paint the portrait of Lisa del Giocondo (Maria Vera Ratti), that will become the Mona Lisa. But after failing to repair his broken relationship with Caterina (Matilda De Angelis), Leonardo accepts an offer on behalf of the city and goes to Imola, where he receives much praise from his enthusiastic employer, Cesare Borgia (Max Bennett). Warned by Niccolò Machiavelli (Davide Iacopini), a Florentine ambassador at Imola, that his value will only endanger him, Leonardo realises not all is as it seems and reaches out for help. With the work forcing his mind to dark places, all hope is lost until assistance appears in the unlikeliest of places.

Original Airdate: September 20, 2022   8 p.m.   CW    

Edited September 20, 2022 by AnimeMania

[AnimeMania]

S01.E07: Episode 107  

Reunited with Caterina, Leonardo perseveres with his work but is frustrated by the growing success of a younger artist, Michelangelo. Putting his feelings aside, Leonardo is persuaded to accept a new commission, a giant fresco of the Battle of Anghiari, but faces competition from his newfound rival.
SECRETS - Reunited with Caterina (Matilda De Angelis), Leonardo (Aidan Turner) perseveres with his work but is frustrated by the growing success of a younger artist, Michelangelo (Pierpaolo Spollon). Putting his feelings aside, Leonardo is persuaded to accept a new commission, a giant fresco of the Battle of Anghiari, but faces competition from his newfound rival. As the suspicions of another encroach upon a guarded secret, a face from the past leaves Leonardo doubting everything he previously thought he knew. Coming to terms with a personal tragedy, Leonardo learns of a truth that sets to change a relationship forever.

Original Airdate: September 27, 2022   8 p.m.   CW    

[AnimeMania]

S01.E08: Episode 108 

(Season Finale) 

Time is short as Stefano races to save Leonardo and uncovers his secret. With facts and no evidence, an epiphany leads Stefano going to a remote source for help. As the execution nears, Leonardo's life hangs by a thread. His guilt is upheld, and hope seems lost. Holding the fate of Milan's greatest artist in his hands, Stefano realises the answer he seeks lies in the man he is striving to save.
With time running out, Stefano (Freddie Highmore) races to save Leonardo (Aidan Turner) and finally discovers the truth behind his biggest kept secret. Armed with the facts but lacking the evidence, an unexpected revelation leaves Stefano turning to an unlikely source for help. With the execution nearing, Leonardo’s life hangs in the balance as his guilt is upheld and all hope seems lost. Holding the fate of Milan’s greatest artist in his hands, Stefano realises the answer he seeks lies in the very man he is striving to save. 

Original Airdate: October 4, 2022   8 p.m.   CW    

[janeta]

This wasn't bad, for what it was.  I always had to watch with the Wikipedia entry on Da Vinci open on my ipad to see exactly how much liberty they were taking with history.  Nice scenery and artwork, though.

[Bruinsfan]

I had heard that Leonardo wasn't as straightwashed in this as he was in Da Vinci's Demons. Well, I suppose "more than" is different from "as much as."

[AnimeMania]

Leonardo was greenlit for a second season.