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“Marco Polo” has been canceled by Netflix after just two seasons. The historical series produced by The Weinstein Company premiered in 2014, with Season 2 hitting the streaming service on July 1, 2016. The 10-episode second season included new and returning cast: Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Michelle Yeoh (the Handmaiden), Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), Zhu Zhu (Kokachin), Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes), Olivia Cheng (Mei Lin), Claudia Kim (Khutulun), Rick Yune (Kaidu), Remy Hii (Prince Jingim), Mahesh Jadu (Ahmad) and Uli Latukefu (Byamba), among others. Also Read: 'Marco Polo' Fact Check: The Story of the Real Ahmad Fanakati, Kublai Khan's Finance Minister “Marco Polo” was based on.

Marco Polo‘s voyages have ended: Netflix has cancelled the globe-spanning drama after two seasons.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the cancellation, which makes Polo the first Netflix original series not to reach a third season. Lorenzo Richelmy starred as the legendary merchant who travelled from Italy to China and eventually served in the court of the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong).

RelatedCable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: What’s Coming Back? What’s Cancelled? What’s On the Bubble?

Marco Polo debuted in 2014, and had a reported budget of $90 million for its first season, rivaling HBO’s Game of Thrones.

(Spoilers for Marco Polo season 2 below.) If “Marco Polo” has a protagonist at this point — and I’m not saying it does — then it’s probably Kublai Khan. (Don’t bother reminding me what the name of the show is. I’ll just tell you it’s called that more because of Marco Polo’s book than the man himself.) If Kublai is the good guy, then the bad guys of season 2 are legion: Ahmad, Kaidu, Nayan, Niccolo Polo, the Pope, and more. But I don’t think that’s how “Marco Polo” works these days. Season 2 doesn’t have...

(Spoilers for season 2 of the Netflix series “Marco Polo” below. And a disclaimer: Yes, we know “Marco Polo” is a fictionalized dramatization of historical events and does not follow historical records to the letter. This is all in good fun, not criticism.) Ahmad, the chief antagonist of “Marco Polo” season 2 on Netflix, is a great, layered character. At the end of season 1, it was revealed that Ahmad, played by Mahesh Jadu, has been plotting to take down Kublai Khan for a long time, even as he sat beside the Great Khan in his court at Karakorum. During...

1. “BoJack Horseman” Season 3 (available July 22)

Why Should I Watch It? “BoJack Horseman” is a literal and figurative treasure trove of joy, insight and harsh truths. On the literal side, so many small moments pop up throughout the 30-minute episodes it takes repeat viewings to appreciate them all — from the .gif-worthy transitionary bits to the heavy-hitting quips. Yet figuratively, “BoJack” offers up a distinct, strong viewpoint that isn’t afraid to take questions to an existential level, which creates deeper subjective realizations each time you watch (and re-watch, and re-watch, and re-watch…). This is as “must-see” as TV gets — every time.

Best Episode: We wouldn’t dare spoil the new season — not even by telling you what episode to look forward to — and we’ve already covered Season 2. (After much deliberation, we chose “Escape From L.A.” as the best episode.) So let’s just set this time aside to honor the...

The ensemble cast of the Netflix series “Marco Polo” isn’t quite as expansive as that of “Game of Thrones,” but it’s still got a pretty significant group to contend with heading into season 2 on July 1. If you need some help remembering who everybody is, this guide should come in handy. Some spoilers for season 1 will be involved here. Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) At the top of the Mongolian Empire, which at the time of his rule was and still is the largest Empire, in terms of size, in history. Kublai rules from China, where the series takes place,...

An empire will burn. Below, Watch the Marco Polo TV show's season two featurette from Netflix. The ten-episode second season of Marco Polo drops tomorrow, Friday, July 1, 2016. The historical drama follows 13th century explorer Marco Polo during his adventures along the Silk Road. In the video, the cast and crew set the scene for Marco Polo, season two, which promises to be much darker, internally as well as externally.Featured in the video are Creator Ep John Fusco, Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Rick Yune (Kaidu), Benedict Wong (Kublai Khan), Claudia Kim (Khutlun), Remy Hii (Prince Jingim), Olivia Cheng (Mei Lin), Ep Patrick MacManus, Mahesh Jadu (Ahmad), Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes), Gabriel Byrne (Pope Gregory X), Michelle Yeoh (Handmaiden/Lotus) and Brett Chan (Stunt Coordinator).Read More…...

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As season 2 of Netflix's martial arts epic Marco Polo arrives on Netflix, we chatted to Kublai Khan himself, Benedict Wong...

In addition to playing the world-straddling leader Kublai Khan in Netflix's big, expensive period action series, Marco Polo, Benedict Wong has carved out a niche in quality UK sci-fi films. He followed Danny Boyle's Sunshine with Duncan Jones' Moon, worked twice with Ridley Scott in The Martian and Prometheus, and recently came aboard Alex Garland's next picture, Annihilation. Before that comes to cinemas, he'll be seen alongside the UK's other acting Benedict in Marvel's Doctor Strange.

Many, of course, will fondly remember Wong as Errol, the optimistic innocent to Sean Lock's cynical misanthropist Vince in cult BBC comedy series 15 Storeys High, or even for a one-time appearance in The It Crowd.

We chatted to him about playing the would-be CEO of the world in Marco Polo,...

Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange movie has already experienced its fair share of controversy over the casting of Tilda Swinton as Strange's mentor, The Ancient One, but considering how much more socially conscious we've all become since the comic was originally written (we haven't solved racism or anything yet, but things have clearly improved since the '60s), there are going to have to be some major changes to the source material in order for the film to work for 2016 audiences.

One of those changes concerns the character of Wong, who in the comics serves as the valet sidekick of Stephen Strange. Benedict Wong, the actor who's portraying that character in Scott Derrickson's upcoming film, spoke with Den of Geek about the "new direction" they're taking Wong in the movie:

“I’m certainly not going to be the tea-making manservant. We’re heading in a different direction. He’s more of a drill sergeant.

Four episodes were provided prior to broadcast.

It’s been 18 months since Marco Polo debuted its first season on Netflix, and even though it hit with a bit of a resounding dud, the show had its apologists, and I was one of them. A lot didn’t work (it’s hard to overstate that), including thin characterization, thinner world building and clunky, utterly un-bingeable plotting. But the show had style, with neat action set pieces and an unpretentious tackling of the medieval-sex-and-gore genre – which feels all but necessitated by every network thanks to Game of Thrones – resulting in a show that was palatable for me, despite being somewhat of an overall mess.

Cut to today, and it’s been a year-and-a-half since I was entrenched in all of the political turmoil between the the great Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong, still fascinating when the script lets him be) and his nemesis chancellor Jia Sidao,...

Probably the greatest Asian-themed show on TV at the moment just added a star in an already great cast. Michelle Yeoh will play a mysterious figure from Hundred Eyes’ past.

The series is based on the famous 13th Century explorer, following his adventures in the Court of Kublai Han, among greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and violent rivalry.

John Fusco, creator of the series and executive producer and showrunner along with Dan Minahan stated:

“Michelle Yeoh is not only a screen legend and one of the greatest international action stars of all time, she’s one of the best actors of her generation. So we are thrilled to have her join one of the most diverse ensembles in television and bring her unique talents to Marco Polo.

Her role in the second season is one that’s going to add even more intrigue, mystery, and Asian martial arts to our rich story world.

"I will be emperor of the world." Netflix has released a new preview for season two of Marco Polo.

The historical series follows the adventures of the 13th-century explorer Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) as he travels along the Silk Road to the court of the great Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong). The cast also includes Amr Waked, Remy Hii, Zhu Zhu, and Tom Wu.

Read More…...

Although Marco Polo doesn't seem to garner as much praise of some of Netflix's other series, I found myself quite enjoying the first season largely thanks to some beautiful visuals and standout characters. The series follows a young Marco Polo who finds himself in the court of the great Kublai Khan and must navigate a world of greed, betrayal and sexual intrigue as the Mongol... Read More...

Thanks in large part to the superhero fandom that continues to grip Hollywood, much of the praise that is directed at Netflix’s slate of original series often involves the company’s partnership with Marvel – be that in the form of Daredevil or Jessica Jones.

But there’s a whole host of greatness scattered right across the Netflix library (not to mention spooky ’80s series Stranger Things) particularly now that the online giant is ramping up its output to encompass high-profile feature films. Circling back to those early years, however, and one series that struck a chord with subscribers is Marco Polo – with its compelling cast and lush rendition of 13th Century China – which is now primed to return on July 1.

In anticipation of its imminent premiere, Netflix has now rolled out an all-new trailer for the original drama, welcoming back Lorenzo Richelmy in the title role. There’s a new nemesis to confront,...

Getting a longer than normal eighteen month break between seasons, Netflix has finally dropped the trailer for the second season of its lavishly produced if critically dismissed historical drama "Marco Polo".

Lorenzo Richelmy, Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeoh, and Joan Chen are joined by Gabriel Byrne in the new season which sees Kublai Khan's empire expanding. The entire new season will hit the service on July 1st.

Netflix’s first “Marco Polo” Season 2 trailer teases that alliances will be tested as the Mongol empire is on the brink of war. In the trailer, Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) laments all he has had to do in order to maintain his power. But his trials are not over yet, as threats from without and within would claim leadership of his empire for themselves. The 10 episode second season includes new and returning cast: Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Michelle Yeoh (the Handmaiden), Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), Zhu Zhu (Kokachin), Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes), Olivia Cheng (Mei Lin), Claudia Kim (Khutulun), Rick.

The battle for the Mongol empire ignites with the release of the official trailer and poster for Marco Polo season 2, which you can check out below.

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In a world replete with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry, Marco Polo is based on the famed explorer's adventures in Kublai Khan's court in 13th Century China, and the dark and tempestuous battle for the expanding Mongol empire.

John Fusco, who wrote the Academy-Award nominated feature Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is executive producer and showrunner along with Dan Minahan, whose previous work includes Homeland and Game of Thrones, with Patrick Macmanus, Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein and Elizabeth Sarnoff as executive producers.

The 10 episode second season includes new and returning cast: Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Michelle Yeoh...

An empire will burn. Below, watch the fiery Netflix announcement that the ten-episode second season of its Marco Polo TV series premieres globally, July 1, 2016. Per Netflix, the series will be available in 4K. The Marco Polo launch date was revealed during the streaming outlet's press conference held in Paris, today.

Marco Polo stars Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco Polo and Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan. Also starring are Michelle Yeoh, Joan Chen, Zhu Zhu, Tom Wu, Olivia Cheng, Claudia Kim, Rick Yune, Remy Hii, Mahesh Jadu, and Uli Latukefu. The series is written by creator John Fusco, who executive produces with Dan Minahan. Patrick Macmanus, Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, and Elizabeth Sarnoff are also executive producing season two.

Read More…...

Netflix has released 2 new date announcement trailers for their original series The Crown and Marco Polo Season 2 and a full trailer for Bloodline Season 2. In addition Netflix has also released a cast shot from their upcoming new series Marseille, starring Gérard Depardieu.

You can check out the trailers and photo below.

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The Crown

The Crown, the highly anticipated, new original series will premiere on Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, to a global audience on Friday, November 4, 2016. The 10-episode series will be available in 4K.

The Crown reunites acclaimed writer Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) with director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours) and producer Andy Harries (The Queen). Based on the award-winning play, The Audience, The Crown tells the inside story...

It has been a long journey, but at long last we have a return date for Marco Polo.

Netflix has announced that Season 2 of the adventure drama will release globally on July 1. The cast for the 10-episode sophomore run includes Lorenzo Richelmy (as Marco Polo), Michelle Yeoh (the Handmaiden), Benedict Wong (Kublai Khan), Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), Zhu Zhu (Kokachin), Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes), Olivia Cheng (Mei Lin), Claudia Kim (Khutulun), Rick Yune (Kaidu), Remy Hii (Prince Jingim), Mahesh Jadu (Ahmad) and Uli Latukefu (Byamba), among others.

Netflix also has released a teaser that touts a November 4 global release date for The Crown,...

Even though Doctor Strange has been filming since November, it's never too late to add a new cast member. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that The Martian star Benedict Wong has signed on to play the Sorcerer Supreme's aptly-named sidekick, Wong. It isn't known if he just recently joined the cast, or if he was part of the production when filming started last year.

Wong has a long history in the Marvel Comics, making his debut in in 1963's "Strange Tales" #110. In the comics, Wong was a disciple of the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who was sent to America to assist Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) during his journey of learning the mystical arts. The character also performs healing duties and assists with occult matters. One of his primary duties is looking after the Doctor's body while he is astral projecting into other planes of existence.

Benedict Wong joins a cast...

Michelle Yeoh has joiend the cast of the second season of Netflix's original drama series "Marco Polo".

Lorenzo Richelmy returns as the famed 13th Century explorer as he fights greed, betrayal and rivalries in Kublai Khan's court. Yeoh will play a mysterious figure from the past of Hundred Eyes (Tom Wu).

John Fusco ("Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron"), created the series and is executive producer and showrunner along with Dan Minahan. The second season launches on the service in 2016.

Source: Deadline...

The second season of the Netflix original series Marco Polo, created by John Fusco, adds actress Michelle Yeoh to its dynamic cast. In the upcoming season, Michelle Yeoh’s character plays a mysterious figure from Hundred Eyes' (Tom Wu) past.

Fusco said:

"Michelle Yeoh is not only a screen legend and one of the greatest international action stars of all time, she's one of the best actors of her generation. So we are thrilled to have her join one of the most diverse ensembles in television and bring her unique talents to Marco Polo. Her role in the second season is one that's going to add even more intrigue, mystery, and Asian martial arts to our rich story world.”

Internationally acclaimed actress and producer Michelle Yeoh has starred in more than thirty films including global hits James Bond's “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Sunshine,...

Michelle Yeoh is joining the Season 2 cast of Netflix drama Marco Polo in a recurring role. Based on the famed 13th Century explorer, the story follow's Marco Polo's (Lorenzo Richelmy) adventures, as he fights greed, betrayal and rivalries in Kublai Khan's court. Yeoh will play a mysterious figure from Hundred Eyes’ (Tom Wu) past. Yeoh played a Bond girl opposite Pierce Brosnan in Tomorrow Never Dies and had starring roles in films including Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon…...

Today sees the Blu-ray/DVD release of the first season of Netflix's original show Marco Polo and we have an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip that takes you to the back room of Kublai Khan's court where he kept his concubines, which is kind of like a 13th century Playboy mansion, if you will. Show creator John Fusco takes you into the world of Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) and Kublai Khan (Benedict... Read More...

The Passing Season

"Sense8" and "Stargate Universe" hunk Brian J. Smith has signed on to star in Gabriel Long's indie drama "The Passing Season" which begins shooting this week in Rhode Island.

In the script by Long and Matthew-Lee Erlbach, Smith will play a pro hockey player whose career comes to an abrupt end. He returns to his hometown, reconnects with a group of high school friends. [Source: Deadline]

Snowfall

Billy Magnussen has scored one of the lead roles in John Singleton's drugs drama series "Snowfall" for FX. The story is set against the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles in the 1980s and its ultimate impact on the culture.

Magnussen will play one of three characters on a violent collision course. His is a wealthy family's black sheep who risks everything to become a player in the burgeoning cocaine trade. Filming begins this Summer. [Source: Deadline]

Swallows and Amazons...

Ron Yuan (Fast & Furious) has joined the cast of Netflix drama Marco Polo as a series regular. Based on the famed 13th Century explorer, the story follow’s Marco Polo’s (Lorenzo Richelmy) adventures, as he fights greed, betrayal and rivalries in Kublai Khan’s court. Yuan will play Prince Nayan in the second season. Yuan appeared in Sons Of Anarchy and most recently in The Blacklist. He will next be seen in Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day 2 and Gavin O’Connor’s The Accou…...

“When I wanted to work in films in the United States, I wasn’t thinking about inspiring other young actors or leaving a legacy,” admits Joan Chen during our recent webcam chat (watch below). She came to fame in the 1987 Best Picture winner "The Last Emperor" and as a series regular on “Twin Peaks” (1990–1991) and recently starred in the Netflix historical epic “Marco Polo.” She reveals having been approached “many, many times” by people who say that she inspired them to act. -Break- Watch dozens of video chats with 2015 Emmy contenders “Marco Polo," one of the most expensive TV shows ever made, recreates the 13th century Mongol Empire ruled by Kublai Khan. Chen is “really glad” it uses such an international cast -- “actors from China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Australia, New Zealand, America, Singapore..."...

Netflix already has a formidable line-up of exclusive content ready to unleash when it launches in Australia and New Zealand on March 24- and more is it come. The third series of Orange is the New Black, a Netflix production, will screen on the subscription VOD service after it premieres on Foxtel.s showcase in June. Moreover, the Us streaming giant is working on deals with MGM and Warner Bros which would mean their first-run movies will debut on Netflix at the same time as their pay-tv premieres on Foxtel Movies.

Neither has been signed but If understands the MGM arrangement is in final negotiations and WB is highly likely to pact with Netflix as its output deal with the Nine Network, worth a reported $150 million a year, has expired, and the studio needs to generate more revenue from its pay-tv and free-tv deals.

Netflix boasts an array of original...

Between Marvel, sitcoms, and returning favourites, Netflix is producing more and more original content, here's what we can expect in 2015...

Not happy with being the undisputable king of subscription streaming TV and films, Netflix has spent the last few years finding its footing in creating original content. It's enjoyed some big hits with the likes of House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black, but has also produced some less well-received properties such as Hemlock Grove and Arrested Development’s resurrection.

Marco Polo, the service's big budget drama following Mongolian leader Kublai Khan, was a sizeable risk for the network and one that didn't exactly lit the critical world alight (though a second season may well help with the teething problems).

Looking ahead, it seems that we’ll be seeing a new face of Netflix before the year is out. Netflix has more upcoming projects than ever before and...

Harvey Weinstein is one of the most powerful, outspoken, and controversial men in Hollywood. The studio executive who launched Miramax and The Weinstein Company is a passionate film lover, a master promoter, a ruthless Oscar campaigner, and just about everything else you need to be in order to make it to the top in the business. Even if you find what he does unscrupulous or the content he produces not very good, it is hard not to admire the man for how successful he has made himself, no matter how frustrating it might be. Weinstein recently had a chat with Deadline, covering a wide variety of topics from the Netflix series "Marco Polo" to the troubles with the upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of Finding Neverland to Oscar campaigning to his reputation of recutting films, giving him the nickname "Harvey Scissorhands." I had no idea the Weinsteins were behind "Marco Polo...

When Netflix released Marco Polo on December 12th, it made an ambitious foray into the historical epic genre. This attempt was met with mixed reviews from critics, but no matter the general consensus about Marco Polo, the show will get at least one more season to build up its audience. Netflix has renewed it for a second season, which will include ten more episodes.

Marco Polo follows the adventures of the famed explorer (played by Lorenzo Richelmy) as he journeys to the East and encounters the wondrous world of Mongol leader Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong). The show's first season spans ten hour-long episodes, which Netflix subscribers can stream on-demand.

Response to the show's first season was split right down the middle. Many critics offered negative reviews, and several of those critics found Marco Polo to be a pale imitation of a certain HBO program that also features graphic violence, epic scale,...

NBC’s Boy is getting shorter.

The sophomore season of About a Boy is being cut by two episodes, our sister site Deadline reports, bringing it to a total of 20.

Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…

* Netflix’s Marco Polo has been renewed for a 10-episode second season, the streaming service announced Wednesday, which will find the titular character delving deeper into the world of Kublai Khan.

* Soul icon Gladys Knight will guest-star on an upcoming episode of TV Land’s Hot in Cleveland, The Wrap reports, playing a psychic named Miss Shonda.

* Australian DJ/model/actress...

Netflix, the world's leading Internet TV network, today announced a new ten episode chapter in the adventures of Marco Polo and upcoming premiere dates for some of its highly anticipated new original series. Marco Polo, the sweeping adventure that follows the famed explorer's exploits in Kublai Khan's court in 13th century China, will return to delight the global Netflix audience. Creator John Fusco's tale of Marco's journey will continue for 10 all-new episodes as Marco navigates Kublai Khan's world of greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry. Fusco serves as executive producer along with Dan Minahan. Academy-Award nominated directors Joachim R&#248nning and Espen Sandberg also serve as executive producers. Season 1 was shot in Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Italy. Produced by The Weinstein Company, the series stars Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco and features Benedict Wong, Joan Chen, Zhu Zhu, Chin Han, Olivia Cheng, Tom Wu, Remy Hii, Uli Latukefu, Mahesh Jadu,...

Netflix has renewed “Marco Polo” for a second season, and set premiere dates for “Daredevil” and other coming series.

The epic historical-based exploration adventure will get 10 new episodes taking place in Kublai Khan’s 13th century China.

“Daredevil” will begin on Friday, April 10.

Here’s the full press release, more to come:

Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, today announced a new ten episode chapter in the adventures of Marco Polo and upcoming premiere dates for some of its highly anticipated new original series.

Marco Polo, the sweeping adventure that follows the famed explorer’s exploits in Kublai Khan...

Network: Netflix

Episodes: Ongoing (hour)

Seasons: Ongoing

TV show dates: December 12, 2014 -- Tbd

Series status: Has not been cancelled

Performers include: Daniel Minahan, Lorenzo Richelmy, Benedict Wong, Joan Chen, Rick Yune, Amr Waked, Remy Hii, Zhu Zhu, Tom Wu, Mahesh Jadu, Olivia Cheng, Uli Latukefu, Chin Han, and Pierfrancesco Favino.

TV show description:

Created by John Fusco, this adventure TV show follows the early years of famous explorer Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) in 13th century China, as he travels the exotic Silk Road to the court of the great Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) -- Great king of Mongolian Empire.

Marco finds that navigating the Khan's world of greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue, and rivalry is his greatest challenge yet; even as he becomes a trusted companion to the Khan in his violent quest...

Netflix’s latest original series, Marco Polo, marks a new kind of small screen venture, one that’s indicative of a European miniseries. The 10-hour epic brings to life the adventures of the titular explorer (Lorenzo Richelmy) and his relationship with Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong). It’s one of the most expensive television series ever produced and is yet another stellar addition to Netflix’s arsenal of original programming.

Created by Jon Fusco, Marco Polo utilizes stunning locations (the show was shot in Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Italy) and detail-oriented cinematography to transport us to an exciting time period, one full of “betrayal, greed and sexual intrigue.”

Last week, the cast of the show touched down in New York for a red carpet premiere, and we were on hand to cover the event. While there, we spoke to them about how they prepared for their roles, why they think audiences will...

Based on the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s ornate court in 13th century China, the 10-episode Netflix original series Marco Polo is set in a world filled with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry. Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) is a young Italian merchant who arrives in China with a father he barely knows, who then offers him to the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) as a servant. Captivated by the traveler’s way with words, Kublai Khan and Marco Polo develop a deep trust and bond that leads to many tales of adventure and legend. During this exclusive phone interview with Collider, co-stars Lorenzo Richelmy and Benedict Wong talked about getting involved with this show, how beautiful and ambitious the production was, shooting an adventure while they were on their own adventure, taking on the title role of a show of this size and scope, their most memorable moments,...

Based on the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s ornate court in 13th century China, the 10-episode Netflix original series Marco Polo is set in a world filled with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry. Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) is a young Italian merchant who arrives in China with a father he barely knows, who then offers him to the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) as a servant. Captivated by the traveler’s way with words, Kublai Khan and Marco Polo develop a deep trust and bond that leads to many tales of adventure and legend. During this exclusive phone interview with Collider, actress Joan Chen (who plays Kublai Khan’s wife, Empress Chabi) talked about first getting this script a long time ago, why the role was a no-brainer, what she liked about the character, what it took to be a strong woman in that era,...

The latest journey of Marco Polo has brought the 13th century Italian merchant into the world of 21st century digital entertainment with a dose of '70s kung fu and just a hint of premium cable fantasy. "Marco Polo," which premiered on Friday (December 12) on Netflix, has been described as the streaming service's answer to "Game of Thrones," an expensive epic of warring armies, courtly intrigue and not-insignificant quantities of nudity. Of course, I'm not making that comparison and neither is "Marco Polo" Ep Daniel Minahan. "The similarity is that there's court intrigue but I think that's about it," Minahan tells me. "I mean we're set in Mongolia and China; it's the story of a warlord rather than six different kingdoms vying for their throne. There's really big differences in the way 'Marco Polo,' the tone of it and the structure of it. I think the only thing...

As the second most expensive show in TV history (just behind Game of Thrones), Marco Polo is Netflix’s latest original series venture, and Harvey Weinstein’s first foray into television. The mega producer has classified the stylish action epic as a ten hour movie, and after watching the first few episodes, it’s easy to see why.

Marco Polo centers on the famed explorer as he ventures through Kublai Khan’s court in 13th Century China. Billed as an “epic adventure,” the first season sees the titular protagonist travel the exotic Silk Road, where he finds a world of “greed, betrayal and sexual intrigue.”

At a recent press day for the new series, which was held in NYC, we had the chance to sit down with the cast to discuss what it was like to venture into the past, why Marco Polo will appeal to audiences around the globe...

Marco Polo, Netflix's new 10-episode series, is a fun, body-flinging, old-fashioned epic, the sort of story that drops a sensually handsome young man with a beard into a string of adventures in a world heavily spiced with the exotic. It is not as good as HBO's Game of Thrones, if that's what you were wondering. For one thing, there are no large prehistoric eggs that promise to hatch into dragons. And if there were, the dragons probably would also be old-fashioned: They would be the kind of stop-action clay figures that Ray Harryhausen created for Jason and the Argonauts and...

Marco Polo, Netflix's new 10-episode series, is a fun, body-flinging, old-fashioned epic, the sort of story that drops a sensually handsome young man with a beard into a string of adventures in a world heavily spiced with the exotic.

It is not as good as HBO's Game of Thrones, if that's what you were wondering. For one thing, there are no large prehistoric eggs that promise to hatch into dragons.

And if there were, the dragons probably would also be old-fashioned: They would be the kind of stop-action clay figures that Ray Harryhausen created for Jason and the Argonauts and...

Marco Polo, Netflix's new 10-episode series, is a fun, body-flinging, old-fashioned epic, the sort of story that drops a sensually handsome young man with a beard into a string of adventures in a world heavily spiced with the exotic. It is not as good as HBO's Game of Thrones, if that's what you were wondering. For one thing, there are no large prehistoric eggs that promise to hatch into dragons. And if there were, the dragons probably would also be old-fashioned: They would be the kind of stop-action clay figures that Ray Harryhausen created for Jason and the Argonauts and...

Basically Kublai Khan: The Show as told by the only non-Asian in the cast, Netflix’s dreadful Marco Polo is another in a long line of shows/films about an ‘ethnically different’ culture seen through the safe veneer of whiteness. We’ve come full circle then in that Marco Polo and his “book” Marvels of the World may well be the originator of the white man in a foreign land that became the template for every mid 90s Ed Zwick film before now becoming its very own prestige Netflix show. The snake has eaten its own tail indeed. It’s difficult though to get all gung-ho and worked up about a show this down right pedestrian. There’s a bit towards the end of the first episode that intercuts between Marco resisting the lure of a bevy of naked prostitutes and Marco’s Kung-Fu trainer battling the untoward advances of a rattlesnake,...

Based on the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s ornate court in 13th century China, the 10-episode Netflix original series Marco Polo is set in a world filled with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry. Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) is a young Italian merchant who arrives in China with a father he barely knows, who then offers him to the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) as a servant. Captivated by the traveler’s way with words, Kublai Khan and Marco Polo develop a deep trust and bond that leads to many tales of adventure and legend. During this exclusive phone interview with Collider, show creator/writer/executive producer John Fusco talked about why he was compelled to tell the story of Marco Polo, why Netflix was ultimately the perfect home for the show, the approach they decided to take with the material, having an unknown Italian actor...

This weekend, Netflix will unveil its biggest original production yet: "Marco Polo". The 10-episode show follows the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s court in 13th Century China; it reportedly cost somewhere in the $90 million range, a clear sign Netflix and producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein are angling this to be their very own "Game of Thrones." (Even if it is markedly different from the HBO epic.) Below, you'll see two interviews with three...

This weekend, Netflix will unveil its biggest original production yet: "Marco Polo". The 10-episode show follows the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s court in 13th Century China; it reportedly cost somewhere in the $90 million range, a clear sign Netflix and producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein and Ben Silverman and Chris Grant are angling this to be their very own "Game of Thrones." (Even if it is markedly different from the...

Marco Polo was a man who spent 25 years and 15,000 miles traveling the Silk Road and successfully navigating the inner court of Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan. Yet he has been diminished to a phrase to be shrieked by children at public pools across the country. Netflix is hoping to change that. The streaming service will add “Marco Polo” to their roster of original shows. In keeping with tradition, all ten episodes will air at once. This way fans of historical fiction can binge watch at their leisure. Ahead of the Dec. 12 release, the $90 million epic — making it one of the most expensive shows ever produced — dropped its first trailer amid the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving. The show stars Lorenzo Richelmy, Chin Han, Mahesh Jadu, Shu An Oon, Vanessa Vanderstraaten, Rick Yune, and Nicholas Bloodworth. Netflix has a daunting task in front of them with "Marco Polo," as Western media has...

Netflix streaming is upping the ante this December, adding enough high-profile TV shows and movies to more than make up for last month's lackluster offerings.

On the movie side, highlights include Will Ferrell and gang in "Anchorman 2," the Heath Ledger-starring "A Knight's Tale," Cameron Crowe classic "Almost Famous," Oscar-winning "American Beauty," and horror hits "Oculus" and "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones." Oh, and let's not forget '80s classic "Troop Beverly Hills," '90s cult favorite "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion," or Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street."

And there's plenty to love about what's coming on the TV front: "American Horror Story: Coven" finally gets its day on Netflix, "Sharknado 2" storms its way to streaming, and Brit hit "Broadchurch" finally lands stateside. Oh, and December sees the premiere of the hotly anticipated Netflix Original series "Marco Polo" on the 12th.

Here's a much...