October 4, 2024 14:00 PM

Netflix Cancels ‘Marco Polo’ After Two Seasons

Neflix has announced that it will not to renew the globe-trotting tv show "Marco Polo" for another season. This only means that viewers would only get to enjoy this original scripted series for only two seasons.

"We want to thank and are grateful to our partners on Marco Polo from the actors, whose performances were enthralling and top-notch," said Netflix VP original content Cindy Holland in a statement on Monday. "To the committed producers, including John Fusco, Dan Minahan, Patrick Macmanus, and their crew, who poured their hearts into the series; and of course Harvey [Weinstein], David [Glasser] and our friends at TWC, who were great collaborators from start to finish."

The Weinstein Co.-produced series is starred by Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco Polo and follows his travels from Italy to China. Eventually, he served in the Mongolian court headed by the famous Mongol ruler Kublai Khan, played by Benedict Wong. The series debuted in 2014 with a reported budget of $90 million for the first season alone. This production costs greatly rivals "Game of Thrones but with much dismal success and mixed reviews.

"While 'Marco Polo' possesses scope, scale and an inordinate amount of exposed skin, the series exhibits only a sporadic pulse," Brian Lowry told in a Variety review. "That leaves a property that can be fun taken strictly on its own terms, but deficient in the binge-worthy qualities upon which Netflix's distribution system has relied," he further added.

"A middling mess, complete with random accents, slow story and kung fu," said THR chief TV critic Tim Goodman. With this scathing initial reviews for the first season, "Marco Polo" sadly did not pick up enough mileage to get a third season.

The second season premiered July 1 with now about $110 million budget. And, with its lack of success, both Netflix and producers The Weinstein Company decided to cancel the show. Aside from "Marco Polo", other cancelled Netflix original series are "Bloodline," "Hemlock Grove," and "Lillyhammer."

Tags
Netflix, Netflix Original Series
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