‘Borgia’ machinations add to Jordan’s wealth

The dramatisation of the machinations of a rich, ruthless Italian clan, the Borgias, has added to the wealth of director and writer Neil Jordan.

The third series of The Borgias, based around the infamous Italian family set in 15th and 16th-century Italy and overseen by Jordan and starring Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, premiered in the US last weekend.

Accounts filed by the Jordan’s Dublin-based firm, Sunwind Enterprises Ltd, to the Companies Office show that the firm’s cash pile topped €1m for the first time in the 12 months to the end of Dec 2011.

The figures show that Jordan’s firm recorded profits of €435,783 in 2011 with its accumulated profits almost doubling from €473,722 to €909,515.

The filings show that the firm’s cash pile increased from €990,537 to €1.231m.

The upsurge in fortunes at the firm coincided with 63-year old Jordan directing and writing the TV series where he also acts as an executive producer.

The first series made at a cost of $45m (€34,5m) premiered in the US in Apr 2011 and the same month, US cable network, Showtime commissioned a second series that was first screened in Apr 2012.

The Borgias series is an international production and is shot on location in Hungary. Dublin production firm, Octagon Films, which produces the RTÉ hit Love/Hate, is also involved in the production of The Borgias.

A note attached to Sunwind Enterprises Ltd’s accounts states that the firm’s turnover is derived from the directing and production of films for TV and cinema.

The filings show that the firm’s largest creditors are its two directors, Neil and Brenda Jordan, who are owed €475,891. The firm’s shareholder funds totalled €909,518.

A native of Sligo, Jordan won an Oscar for the 1992 Crying Game for best screenplay.

Jordan also directed the movie that was nominated for six Oscars.

Some of Jordan’s other movie credits include The Butcher Boy; Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles; Michael Collins; The End of the Affair; and Ondine.

Jordan’s latest movie, a fantasy thriller film, Byzantium, starring Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton premieres next month.