Marco Polo (Series)

Marco Polo is an American historical drama series focusing on the youth of the 13th-century Venetian traveler Marco Polo. Created by John Fusco and noted for its high budget, the series premiered on Netflix on 12 December 2014 and concluded on 1 July 2016. Comprising two seasons and one special episode, the production blends historical fiction with adventure elements.

The series begins with Marco being sent by his father to the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan. During his years at the Khan’s court, Marco struggles to survive in a world rife with political intrigue. Gaining the emperor’s trust, Marco rises in status and becomes central to the empire’s wars against China and its internal power struggles. The series also explores Marco’s cultural conflicts, tests of loyalty, and the differences between East and West.

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Marco Polo centers on themes such as power dynamics, loyalty, exploration, and cultural interaction. The governance system and internal dynamics of the Mongol Empire strengthen the series’ historical context. Universal themes like the search for personal identity and adaptation to a new world are also addressed. This structure aims to present objectively how cultural differences lead to conflict and change within a historical atmosphere.

• Directors: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg, Alik Sakharov, Daniel Minahan, David Petrarca, Jon Amiel, James McTeigue
• Writers: John Fusco, Patrick Macmanus, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Dave Erickson, Bruce Marshall Romans, Michael Chernuchin, Brett Conrad, Kate Barnow
• Producers: John Fusco, Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Daniel Minahan, Peter Friedlander, Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg, Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Blair Fetter, Patrick Macmanus, David C. Glasser
• Cinematographers: Romain Lacourbas, Vanja Černjul, Xavier Grobet, Gavin Struthers
• Music: Daniele Luppi (main theme), Peter Nashel, Eric V. Hachikian
• Production Companies: The Weinstein Company, Electus

• Lorenzo Richelmy – Marco Polo
• Benedict Wong – Kublai Khan
• Joan Chen – Empress Chabi
• Remy Hii – Prince Jingim
• Zhu Zhu – Princess Kokachin
• Tom Wu – Hundred Eyes
• Mahesh Jadu – Ahmed
• Olivia Cheng – Mei Lin
• Uli Latukefu – Byamba
• Chin Han – Jia Sidao
• Michelle Yeoh – Lotus
• Gabriel Byrne – Pope Gregory X

• Air Date: 12 December 2014 – 1 July 2016
• Number of Episodes: 2 seasons, 20 episodes + 1 special episode
• Episode Duration: 46–65 minutes (special episode: 28 minutes)
• Broadcast Platform: Netflix
• Genre: Historical drama, adventure
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

The series features high production quality with filming locations across diverse regions including Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia. The cinematography strives to capture the era’s atmosphere through natural lighting and wide-angle shots. The music composed by Daniele Luppi aims to enhance the epic tone of the scenes.

Upon its release, Marco Polo received mixed reviews. The first season was generally praised for its visual style and set design, while the second season, which introduced changes to the storytelling, garnered more favorable critical reception than the first. The series became known for its high budget and production quality; however, it was canceled after two seasons due to concerns over the sustainability of its costs.

• 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards – Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music (Nomination)
• 2015 Hollywood Music in Media Awards – Best Main Title Theme Music (Nomination)
• 2016 American Society of Cinematographers Awards – Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in a Series (Winner: Vanja Černjul)
• 2015 Australian Production Design Guild Awards – Best Production Design in Television Drama (Winner: Christian Petersen)