| Season 1 | |
 | |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Release date | 12 December 2014 |
| Season chronology | |
| previous None |
next Season 2 |
Season 1 of Marco Polo consists of ten episodes and it was released in its entirety on December 12, 2014.
Plot[]
As Marco enters servitude in the court of the Kublai Khan, the Mongols try to conquer China.
Episodes[]
| # | Image | Title | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  |
"The Wayfarer" | December 12, 2014 |
| Marco Polo, a young Venetian trader, is abandoned by his father for the merchant Silk Road in the hands of the Mongolian emperor, Kublai Khan, who is at war with China. Kublai recognizes Marco's observation skills, and teaches him the Mongolian culture. | |||
| 02 |  |
"The Wolf and the Deer" | December 12, 2014 |
| At court, Marco learns more about the culture that surrounds him. In Xiangyang, Chancellor Jia Sidao aspires to control the new emperor of the Song Dynasty, but his ambitions are put to risk by the Empress Dowager's presence. Meanwhile, Kublai faces his brother's treason. | |||
| 03 |  |
"Feast" | December 12, 2014 |
| Kublai mourns the loss of his brother Ariq. He doesn't show up at the feast held in his honor by Kaidu. Mei Lin finds a way to get closer to Kublai. Marco meets Khutulun, Kaidu's daughter, and later fails to find the man who is receiving jewels from Kokachin. | |||
| 04 |  |
"The Fourth Step" | December 12, 2014 |
| As war looms with the walled city of Xiangyang, Prince Jingim tests his diplomacy skills while Kublai questions Marco's allegiance. | |||
| 05 |  |
"Hashshashin" | December 12, 2014 |
| Marco searches for the mastermind behind a murderous plot, while Prince Jingim weighs the risk of retaliation. | |||
| 06 |  |
"White Moon" | December 12, 2014 |
| On the eve of an auspicious ceremony, Marco searches for the culprit behind the assassination attempt on Kublai Khan - even as a new one takes shape. | |||
| 07 |  |
"The Scholar's Pen" | December 12, 2014 |
| Marco and Hundred Eyes take on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the walled city of Xiangyang, while its chancellor struggles to hold on to power. | |||
| 08 |  |
"Rendering" | December 12, 2014 |
| When Kublai sets his sights - and his army - on the taking of the walled city of Xiangyang, Marco's allegiance is tested. | |||
| 09 |  |
"Prisoners" | December 12, 2014 |
| Marco finds his fate in the hands of Kublai yet again, while behind the walls of Xiangyang, Chancellor Sidao sets his sights on regaining power. | |||
| 10 |  |
"The Heavenly and Primal" | December 12, 2014 |
| Marco's ingenuity — and loyalty — is put to the ultimate test when Kublai takes a violent and bold step in his quest to become emperor of the world. | |||
Production[]
On January 14, 2014, Netflix officially ordered a first season of the series.
Cast[]
Starring cast
- Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco Polo (10 episodes)
- Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan (10 episodes)
- Joan Chen as Empress Chabi (10 episodes)
- Rick Yune as Kaidu (5 episodes)
- Amr Waked as Yusuf (9 episodes)
- Remy Hii as Prince Jingim (10 episodes)
- Zhu Zhu as Kokachin (10 episodes)
- Tom Wu as Li Jinbao "Hundred Eyes" (10 episodes)
- Mahesh Jadu as Ahmad (10 episodes)
- Olivia Cheng as Mei Lin (10 episodes)
- Uli Latukefu as Byamba (10 episodes)
- with Chin Han as Jia Sidao (10 episodes)
- and Pierfrancesco Favino as Niccolò Polo (4 episodes)
Guest Starring
- Tan Kheng Hua as Empress Dowager (8 episodes)
- Lawrence Makoare as Za Bing (8 episodes)
- Chloe Luthi as young Ling-Ling (7 episodes)
- Patrick Teoh as TBA (7 episodes)
- Claudia Kim as Khutulun (6 episodes)
- Shu An Oon as Jing Fei (6 episodes)
- Nicholas Bloodworth as Tulga (5 episodes)
- Vanessa Vanderstraaten as Sorga (5 episodes)
- Corrado Invernizzi as Maffeo Polo (4 episodes)
- Max Kellady as Emperor Duzong (4 episodes)
- Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam as Ariq Böke (2 episodes)
- Esther Low as Blue Princess ("White Moon")
Crew[]
For a more detailed list, see Season 1/Crew. Writers
- John Fusco: episodes 1, 2 and 10.
- Michael Chernuchin: episodes 3 and 7.
- Brett Conrad: episodes 4 and 8.
- Patrick Macmanus: episodes 5 and 9.
- Dave Erickson: episode 6.
'Directors
- Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg: episodes 1 and 2.
- Alik Sakharov: episodes 3 and 4.
- Daniel Minahan: episodes 5 and 6.
- David Petrarca: episodes 7 and 9.
- John Maybury: episodes 8 and 10.