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.

[9] A fictionalised story based on historical persons, the series explores the early life of Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance in Italy.

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.

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.

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

Amerigo decides to return to the ship to chart the newly discovered land, vowing to Leonardo to stay on the coast for three months.

[39] Leonardo successfully sinks the Turkish warship holding his mother and the Ottoman prince, ostensibly sealing a natural bottleneck and blocking the Turks' route to attack Otranto.

The sites consensus reads: "Despite its preposterous plotting and lack of historical accuracy, Da Vinci's Demons is energetic, enjoyable escapist television.