This underrated Netflix original series turns 10 in 2024

Hip hip hooray! This year, an underrated Netflix original series will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Can you guess what show it is? I'll give you a hint. The show's title shares the same exact name of a game you play with friends in a pool. Drum roll, please. It's none other than the period drama, Marco Polo!

The first season was released on Netflix on Dec. 12, 2014. This means that on Dec. 12, 2024, the period drama will be turning 10. Naturally, it would make sense to rewatch the series to celebrate its upcoming anniversary, and that's exactly what we're going to do. You should as well!

Created by John Fusco, Marco Polo is loosely based on the adventures of the real-life Venetian explorer Marco Polo. The story takes place during the 13th century and focuses on Marco Polo's time in the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongolian emperor, to whom he becomes a trusted advisor and friend.

Italian actor Lorenzo Richelmy stars in the leading role of Marco Polo. In addition to this Netflix period drama, you might recognize Richelmy from his role as Gianluca Barzaghi in the British drama series Fifteen-Love and his role as Roberto Aldani in the British period drama series Hotel Portofino. Joining Richelmy in the cast are Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan, Joan Chen, Rick Yune, Amr Waked, Remy Hii, Zhu Zhu, Tom Wu, Mahesh Jadu, Olivia Cheng, and so many other talented actors.

Unfortunately, the period drama was canceled prematurely in December 2016 after only being given two seasons. Although an official reason for its cancellation was never revealed by Netflix, the show is believed to have been canceled because it was really expensive to make, and not many people were watching it. As expected, its cancellation angered fans who wanted to see Marco Polo's story continue. However, Netflix's decision was final, and the streamer did not reverse the show's cancellation.

Take a look at the gripping official trailer for season 1 below!

Here's what some critics had to say about Marco Polo season 1 via Rotten Tomatoes:

"Shot primarily in Kazakhstan and Malaysia, the series is richly atmospheric, lavishly produced, and artfully rendered."

- David Hiltbrand

"You start the hour sweating another bloody, boobsy, broadswords-and-hideous-men periodfest. Before the end, you realize there are worse things. Like being boring. Somewhere in the middle of episode 2, though, Marco Polo becomes surprisingly watchable."

- Jeff Jensen

The period piece is rated TV-MA, meaning it's meant to be viewed by mature, adult audiences only. It was given this maturity rating for strong language, nudity, and sex. There are also many violent scenes throughout the series, so this definitely isn't a show you should watch around younger kids. We recommend waiting until they're asleep or occupied with a kids' show or movie. Then, you can watch both seasons of Marco Polo undisturbed.

A 30-minute special titled Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes is also worth checking out on Netflix. It tells the origin story of the blind warrior-monk Hundred Eyes.