Netflix’s Ambitious 2-Season Historical War Epic Deserves a Revival After Its Remarkable Critical Turnaround
Netflix has developed a reputation for canceling ambitious television series before their stories reach a satisfying conclusion. Among its most notable casualties is Marco Polo, an expensive historical war drama that appeared to be finding its footing just as the streaming service pulled the plug.
Created by John Fusco, the series stars Lorenzo Richelmy as the legendary Venetian explorer and Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan, the powerful ruler of China’s Yuan dynasty.
Premiering on December 12, 2014, Marco Polo ran for two seasons before Netflix canceled it on December 12, 2016.
A decade later, its dramatic improvement in critical reception and unfinished storyline make it a compelling candidate for revival.
Marco Polo Explores the Dangerous World of Kublai Khan
Inspired by the historical travels of Marco Polo, the Netflix drama follows the young Venetian merchant as he becomes immersed in the political struggles and military ambitions of the Mongol Empire.
The real Marco Polo traveled through Asia between 1271 and 1295, documenting his experiences in The Travels of Marco Polo, also known as Il Milione.
His writings introduced European readers to descriptions of China, Persia, India and other Asian societies, offering an influential account of the wealth and power of the Mongol Empire.
Netflix’s adaptation takes considerable creative liberties with this history, concentrating primarily on Polo’s experiences in Kublai Khan’s court.
The series combines elaborate battle sequences, political conspiracies and competing ambitions within the empire, supported by lavish production design and an international cast.
Season 2 Achieved a Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
Although Marco Polo initially struggled to impress critics, its second season marked a remarkable turnaround.
The first season holds a 32% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers criticizing its uneven pacing and some of its supporting performances.
Season 2, however, achieved a 100% critics’ rating.
Reviews highlighted stronger character development, more focused political intrigue and improvements in the show’s overall storytelling.
The contrast suggested that Marco Polo was beginning to realize its potential after a difficult introduction.
Unfortunately, Netflix canceled the production before its creative team could build on that progress.
The Creator Had Planned Five Seasons
The cancellation was particularly disappointing for showrunner John Fusco, who had envisioned a much longer story.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2020, Fusco described the experience as crushing and admitted that he still struggled with the decision.
He originally pitched a five-season narrative to Netflix, with historical events providing the foundation for the series’ planned development.
According to Fusco, the writing team had already prepared approximately 10 hours of material for a third season when the cancellation occurred.
He subsequently proposed a sequel film that could resolve the remaining storylines, but the project never materialized.
As a result, the series ended without completing the larger historical narrative its creators intended to tell.
Benedict Wong and Michelle Yeoh Could Bring Renewed Attention
A potential revival would also benefit from the increased recognition of several original cast members.
Benedict Wong has become a familiar face to international audiences through his appearances as Wong in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly the Doctor Strange films.
Michelle Yeoh, who also appeared in Marco Polo, experienced a major career resurgence following her Academy Award-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Their increased prominence could generate fresh interest in the historical drama.
However, bringing the series back would present considerable financial challenges.
Marco Polo was reportedly among Netflix’s most expensive productions, with estimates of its costs and associated losses reaching approximately $200 million. Netflix has not publicly confirmed an exact total.
Such a substantial investment would make any revival a significant decision for the streamer.
The Success of Shōgun Shows the Potential for Historical Epics
The popularity of FX and Hulu’s Shōgun provides another reason to reconsider Marco Polo.
Like Netflix’s canceled series, Shōgun combines political intrigue, historical conflict and ambitious production design within an Asian historical setting.
The Japanese-language drama achieved major critical success, winning 18 Emmy Awards in a single season, including Outstanding Drama Series.
Its achievements demonstrate the potential for historical productions centered on complex political relationships and cultures outside traditional Western settings to attract international recognition.
Although Marco Polo would face different creative and financial circumstances, its second-season improvement suggests that the series had more to offer.
With unfinished storylines, an ambitious original plan and a cast whose profiles have grown considerably, Netflix’s historical epic remains one of its more intriguing revival possibilities.
