The drama from The Weinstein Co, Marco Polo, reached a dead end after running for two seasons. Was it the falling viewership or the MeToo allegations against Harvey Weinstein that brought the show to such a pass?
Marco Polo became the first Netflix original to not be renewed for a third season in 2016 Produced by The Weinstein Co., the series was a carnival of a global cast that included Lorenzo Richelmy in the titular role with Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan. After muted reviews for the first season, the second was quiet and fuss-free.
Highlights —
- Why was Marco Polo cancelled after two seasons?
- What Harvey Weinstein said on the cancellation of Marco Polo season 3
- Will season 3 of Marco Polo ever happen?
Why was Marco Polo cancelled after two seasons?
Netflix and TWC made a joint decision to not continue with another season. It is reported that Marco Polo was responsible for a loss of $200 million to Netflix. We all know that the streaming giant doesn’t give a second chance to shows that don’t do business.
Cindy Holland, then vice-president of the original content on Netflix, released a statement saying, “we want to thank and are grateful to our partners for Marco Polo, from the actors, whose performances were enthralling and top-notch to the committed producers, including John Fusco, Dan Minahan, Patrick Macmanus, and their crew, who poured their hearts into the series; and of course Harvey [Weinstein], David [Glasser] and our friends at TWC, who were great collaborators from start to finish.”
What Harvey Weinstein said on the cancellation of Marco Polo season 3
The then co-chairman of Weinstein Co. Harvey Weinstein cheered up the creator of the series John Fusco. They both jointly teased that they would soon be returning for another similarly themed drama.
Harvey was heard saying, “Netflix has been incredible to give us the room to make a series with a cast true to every principle of diversity. It’s a bold network that allows you to do that and support us in the way that Netflix did. As many people know, Asian history and the world of martial arts have fascinated me for all of my career — I’ve made many movies around these topics and this genre, and now this TV show I’m so proud of. John has been a great partner and we’re both fascinated to continue exploring this exciting period in history on future projects together.”
Later Fusco added to the conversation saying, “Harvey and I have a love for this kind of history —
We had a fantastic cast, a fantastic creative team and crew, and shooting in Malaysia was a privilege. We’re working on an idea right now in a similar space that we’re very excited about.”
Will season 3 of Marco Polo ever happen?
We can’t lose hope on Marco Polo just because the show wasn’t popular in America. Netflix had made the show for a global audience, and it was quite popular in Asian nations.
Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos had told THR in a roundtable discussion with other executives that Marco Polo had done, “what it was supposed to do.”
His words drizzled hopes for a season three, when he said, “Marco Polo is one of those shows for us [where viewership doesn’t matter to international audiences].”
He added, “it’s hugely popular all throughout Asia and Europe, and there’s a lot of focus on if your neighbours might be watching it. And it’s really irrelevant because it’s doing what it’s supposed to do.”
But after the MeToo incident that started with accusations of sexual assault on Harvey Weinstein, The Weinstein Co filed for bankruptcy. So even if Netflix brings a third season of Marco Polo, it would not be Harvey Weinstein’s.
Do you want Marco Polo to be revived for a season 3? Let us know in the comments box below.
