Alex:
But the auditions tend to be very different to when you're actually filming on set...and sometimes actors don't audition together, sometimes they meet for the first time when they actually do the table reads or start filming...so perhaps Francois & Holly did not audition together? If that was the case, then Jordan and the casting director would not have known how great their chemistry was going to be until they actually start filming the show. And let's not forget what Francois himself said, he said that it was when he and Holly were filming their first scene together, that Jordan had complained to them that they had too much sexual chemistry together and that it was too romantic between them
that's why they argued with Jordan. So they probably didn't audition together...if they had, then Jordan or the casting director certainly would've noticed their chemistry straight away, and not only when they started filming.
Well to a certain extent the same did happen to Cesare in The Borgias, I mean the show did become more about Cesare in S3, he became more of the central character and protagonist by S3 while Rodrigo got demoted to a supporting character. But if they had made a S4, then it would've been natural for Cesare to continue as the main protagonist, even after Rodrigo is killed. Because the story of the Borgia family continued long after Rodrigo died with Cesare becoming the heir. So the mantle would've eventually been passed down to Cesare like it did in the European Canal+ version. There are some rumors that claim that Jordan wanted the show to remain Rodrigo-centric and that he did not want to continue the show after Rodrigo died. That's just a rumor of course...but it could support those speculations about Jordan being spiteful by the end and it could also compound Jordan's contempt and disrespectful attitude towards Cesare and Lucrezia's characters in his book. As outsiders we don't know for sure what Jordan was thinking, we can't be 100% sure what went through his mind at the time, we can only speculate, but our speculations and suspicions are not without merit. I mean, with all the talks about Jordan being upset by the fact that Cesare & Lu became so popular with viewers and overshadowed Rodrigo, and that S3 became more about Cesare and Lu, he could've also been bitter because he had pushed Cesare & Lu's relationship further than he had initially wanted (he was most likely forced to or strongly influenced by others to do so), these may just be fan speculations, but they would explain Jordan's sudden spiteful and negative attitude and treatment towards Cesare & Lu's characters and their relationship in his book. So there's still some weight and justification to these rumors.
The story would've and should've continued with Cesare & Lu after Rodrigo dies, unfortunately we were not able to see it play out on-screen.