😱 RENAISSANCE REVENGE: Game of Thrones star’s lavish 2016 Renaissance banking dynasty drama – the one critics called “soapy” and “underrated,” buried under mixed reviews, quietly faded after three seasons, and everyone forgot amid bigger period hits – is suddenly CONQUERING streaming charts 10 years later like a real Medici power grab!

Palace betrayals, forbidden romances, brutal poison plots, artistic genius clashes, and that GoT alum’s intense family patriarch performance everyone’s obsessing over again… Fans are marathoning all seasons non-stop, hailing it as the “perfect historical binge” with costumes and intrigue that rival Westeros. Was it ahead of its time? Apple TV’s secret weapon? Or pure viewer justice? 🤯

That shocking family twist in Season 1 still destroys people… who’s hooked and quoting lines already? 🔥

Richard Madden’s post-Game of Thrones historical drama series Medici – focusing on the influential Florentine banking family during the Renaissance – is enjoying an unexpected surge on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) charts almost 10 years after its debut.

Originally premiering as Medici: Masters of Florence in 2016 on Rai 1 in Italy before international distribution via Netflix, the lavish period piece has climbed to prominent positions on Apple’s TV Store charts in early January 2026. According to FlixPatrol tracking, the series entered at No. 2 in the U.S. on December 30, 2025, before hitting No. 1 for several days and settling at No. 3 as of January 3 behind Taylor Sheridan’s Landman and the anime staple Cowboy Bebop.

The three-season anthology ran from 2016 to 2019, with Madden starring as Cosimo de’ Medici in the first season. Subsequent installments shifted focus to grandson Lorenzo the Magnificent, played by Daniel Sharman, covering art patronage, political machinations, and family rivalries amid 15th-century Florence’s golden age.

Madden, fresh off his breakout as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones (killed off in 2013’s infamous Red Wedding), anchored the debut season opposite Dustin Hoffman as family patriarch Giovanni de’ Medici. The plot revolves around Giovanni’s mysterious death, thrusting Cosimo into leadership while navigating banking empires, papal intrigue, and artistic sponsorships – including real figures like Donatello and Brunelleschi.

Critics were divided at launch: Rotten Tomatoes averages around 60-70% across seasons, praising production values, costumes, and ensemble but critiquing melodramatic scripting and historical liberties. “A soap opera set in a Renaissance faire,” noted one review, while others appreciated its accessible entry into Medici lore. Audiences proved more receptive, drawn to the Godfather-meets-history vibe.

The show’s international co-production – involving Lux Vide, Big Light Productions, and later Wild Bunch – aimed for broad appeal. Netflix streamed early seasons globally, but rights shifted over time. The recent PVOD push appears tied to catalog refreshes or algorithmic boosts during slower post-holiday periods, when viewers seek escapist historical fare.

This resurgence echoes patterns for underseen period dramas finding delayed audiences digitally. Similar spikes hit titles like The Tudors or Versailles years later. With no new episodes since 2019’s Medici: The Magnificent Season 2 (focusing on Lorenzo amid the Pazzi conspiracy), the full run offers binge-friendly closure.

Supporting cast bolstered appeal: Season 1 featured Hoffman, Brian Cox, and Stuart Martin; later entries added Sean Bean (another GoT alum), Bradley James, and Sarah Parish. Filming in Italy lent authenticity – Palazzo Vecchio, Duomo exteriors – with opulent sets recreating Renaissance splendor.

For Madden, now 39, Medici bridged his GoT fame to bigger roles: Disney’s Cinderella (2015), MCU’s Eternals (2021) as Ikaris, and recent thrillers like Amazon’s Citadel (renewed for Season 2) and neo-noir Killer Heat (2024). His intense, brooding Cosimo – balancing ambition, faith, and family duty – showcased dramatic range post-Robb Stark.

Industry insiders attribute the timing to multiple factors: Post-holiday comfort viewing favors intricate sagas; renewed interest in Italian history via podcasts/books; and Madden’s enduring draw amid GoT nostalgia (with spin-offs like House of the Dragon Season 3 eyeing 2026). Apple TV’s store highlights older titles via deals, amplifying visibility.

No official viewership from Apple, but chart dominance signals robust rentals/purchases. The series holds steady in multiple markets, per third-party data.

Whether sparking calls for revivals (unlikely, given anthology closure) or just seasonal rediscovery, Medici proves quality period pieces can endure. Themes of power corruption, artistic legacy, and familial betrayal remain timeless.

All seasons are available for purchase/rental on Apple TV and select platforms regionally.