Marco Polo (Series)

Marco Polo is an American historical drama series that focuses 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 December 12, 2014 and concluded on July 1, 2016. The production, comprising two seasons and one special episode, blends historical fiction with adventure elements.

Plot

The series begins when Marco Polo is 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 filled with political intrigue. As he gains the emperor’s trust and rises in status, Marco becomes entangled in the empire’s wars against China and its internal power struggles. The series also explores Marco’s cultural conflicts, tests of loyalty, and the contrasts between East and West.

Scene from the Series (IMDb)

Themes

Marco Polo centers on themes such as power dynamics, loyalty, exploration, and cultural interaction. The governance system and internal dynamics of the Mongol Empire provide a strong historical context. Universal themes such as the search for personal identity and adaptation to a new world are also explored. The series aims to present, in an objective manner, how cultural differences lead to conflict and transformation within a historical atmosphere.

Production Team

• 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
• Directors of Photography: Romain Lacourbas, Vanja Černjul, Xavier Grobet, Gavin Struthers
• Music: Daniele Luppi (main theme), Peter Nashel, Eric V. Hachikian
• Production Companies: The Weinstein Company, Electus

Cast

• 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

Production and Broadcast Information

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

Technical Specifications

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.

Release and Impact

Marco Polo received mixed reviews upon its release. 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 compared to 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.

Awards and Nominations

• 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)