Season 3 of Marco Polo Isn’t Picked Up by Netflix
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Series info, plot and cast
A lavishly produced Netflix historical drama series, Marco Polo is created by John Fusco. The series premiered in December 2014, a Christmas spesial aired in December 2015, and the second season was released on July 1, 2016. Both seasons contain 10 episodes. Originally a Starz project, Marco Polo was picked up by Netflix after the endeavors to film in China have failed. Netflix filmed the series at Pinewood Studios in Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Italy, with The Weinstein Company TV and Electus behind the production.
The storyline of the series revolves around the early years of Venetian traveler Marco Polo at the court of Kublai Khan, founder of the Yuan dynasty which ruled the Mongol Empire for almost a hundred years. Lorenzo Richelmy reprises the title role, and Benedict Wong plays Kublai Khan, the powerful Khagan of the Mongol Empire. Adventures, rivalry, power struggles, betrayal, sexual intrigue, greed – the famous explorer finds himself in the midst of a world new to him, and becomes a part of it. The cast list includes Rick Yune (Kaidu, Khan's cousin), Amr Waked (Yusuf, Khan's Vice Regent), Remy Hii (prince Jingim, Khan's son), Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes, Taoist monk), Mahesh Jadu (Ahmad, Khan's Minister of Finance), Zhu Zhu (Kokachin, “Blue Princess”), and many others.
Controversial reviews and renewal potential
Reviewers' opinions are split on Marco Polo, a rare instance for Netflix productions that are usually universally acclaimed. The production values are very high beyond doubt, with the first season's budget estimated at $90 million. Astounding settings, intricately detailed costumes, impressive choreography and stunts, exquisite cinematography and dazzling locations – all of the visual elements are of excellent quality, but the inconsistent plot and unconvincing dialogue are more susceptible to criticism. According to some critics, the multinational cast was not able to build credible group dynamics as a whole, although some of the cast members, such as Wong and Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), have garnered unanimous praise.
Even the review aggregator websites' visitors are sharply divided on the subject of the series – Rotten Tomatoes grants it a measly 24% score, while the IMDb rating is perfectly solid at 8.1/10. Many critics note that the frequent comparisons of Marco Polo to Game of Thrones, usually in favor of the latter, are unwarranted, since comparing a fantasy series to a historical drama is flawed to begin with. Despite the controversy, the series certainly has enough audience support to last, and a renewal decision would not be a surprise. Please stay tuned, and we will inform you as soon as Netflix makes a decision on Marco Polo's fate.
Latest news
UPDATED December 13, 2016: The dubious distinction of becoming the first Netflix originals canceled after just two seasons goes to... Marco Polo! The network decided not to go forward with more episodes of its ambitious historic adventure series after the second season, which was released in July, failed to match the first series' success in attracting a considerable audience. Farewell, Marco Polo.
#MarcoPolo is canceled after two seasons on Netflix: https://t.co/PGIEvwXMGH pic.twitter.com/f6q3ku7vdl
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 13, 2016
Episodes
| # | Name | Air Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunter and the Sable Weaver | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 2 | Hug | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 3 | Measure Against the Linchpin | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 4 | Let God's Work Begin | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 5 | Lullaby | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 6 | Serpent's Terms | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 7 | Lost Crane | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 8 | Whitehorse | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 9 | Heirs | Jul 1, 2016 |
| 10 | The Fellowship | Jul 1, 2016 |
| # | Name | Air Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Feast | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 4 | The Fourth Step | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 5 | Hashshashin | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 6 | White Moon | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 7 | The Scholar's Pen | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 8 | Rendering | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 9 | Prisoners | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 10 | The Heavenly and Primal | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 1 | The Wayfarer | Dec 12, 2014 |
| 2 | The Wolf and the Deer | Dec 12, 2014 |
| S | Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes | Dec 26, 2015 |
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Comments 123
Okay Marco Polo was not the best show ever created, it had flaws, with lines that sometimes seemed to be literally translated from Chinese sayings (and loosing all its meaning). Okay it did not stick to History but so what ?! The plot was good, the atmospheres amazing, not talking about the costumes, fight scenes, music... There was a feeling of grandeur coming from this show !
I´m so disappointed that season 3 is cancelled by Netflix!
:(
its my favourite
After vikings , breaking bad and this one Marco polo has already made me netflix fans. Marco polo story line can still be elaborated more keeping kublai khan in centre, would be curious to know how christinatiy ended in china...And in future any serial on Bodhidharma will be big big hit.
Excellent and the best series of all time! Luv it!!
can't wait for Season 3
And thank you so much for season 2!!!