David Farnor | On 29, Oct 2014

Netflix has released the teaser trailer for Marco Polo.

The Netflix Original series, which is based on the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s court in 13th century China, stars Italian newcomer Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco, who finds himself in a world replete with greed, betrayal, sex and rivalry.

The 10-episode series premieres in the UK on Friday 12th December and is directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, the makers of the delightful Oscar-nominated Kon-Tiki (and upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean sequel Dead Men Tell No Tales). The pair directed the first two episodes and also serve executive producers alongside Harvey Weinstein, creator John Fusco (Forbidden Kingdom) and Game of Thrones’ Dan Minahan.

The trailer gives us our first look at Marco in action – and, unsurprisingly, given the talent behind the camera, it looks like Netflix has spared no ambition – or cash – in making things as epic as possible. Indeed, the series will travel from the back alleys of Venice to the perilous Silk Road, as well as from the opulence of the Imperial City to the battlefields of China.

“Worlds will collide”, promises the video, emphasising the diversity of both its characters and cast. Best known for her role in The Wachowski’s Cloud Atlas, the Beijing-born Zhu Zhu plays Marco’s love interest Kokachin. Joan Chen (Twin Peaks) and Benedict Wong (Prometheus) also star in the show’s eclectic global cast as Empress Chabi and Kublai Khan.

Intrigue. Deception. Bloodshed. Yes please.

Click here for our gallery of Marco Polo first look images.

Photo Credit: Phil Bray for Netflix

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