Netflix Cancels ‘Marco Polo’

Netflix has taken the uncommon step, at least for the streaming service, of cancelling a show, as period drama Marco Polo will not go on beyond its current second season. The costly drama, about the famed explorer’s adventures in 13th century China, was produced by The Weinstein Company (TWC). 

Season two, with ten episodes, debuted in July. The series premiered in December 2014. 

Marco Polo had initially been ordered by Starz before premiering on Netflix. John Fusco was executive producer and showrunner along with Dan Minahan. Patrick Macmanus, Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein and Elizabeth Sarnoff were executive producers too.  

As Netflix approaches its fourth year in the scripted original business, it may take a more critical eye toward its shows, and start acting like a more traditional TV network. 

In a statement, Netflix called the Weinsteins “great collaborators from start to finish.”

Michael Malone

Michael Malone, senior content producer at B+C/Multichannel News, covers network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television. He hosts the podcasts Busted Pilot, about what’s new in television, and Series Business, a chat with the creator of a new program, and writes the column “The Watchman.” He joined B+C in 2005. His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Playboy and New York magazine.