Marco Polo rides on with Kublai Khan as Netflix announces second series

The Kahn of Kahn’s reign looks set to continue as Netflix has announced a second series of Marco Polo.

Lorenzo Richelmy, who plays Marco, will remain as a sometime courtier, sometime prisoner and “pet” of Mongol Emperor, Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong), for at least another 10 episodes.

The drama from Academy-Award nominated directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg is set in the 13th century and follows the Mongols, led by the grandson of Genghis Khan, in their fight for supremacy over the neighbouring Chinese Song dynasty.

The show, which features levels of violence and nudity to rival Game of Thrones, has been one of the most popular of the Netflix Original Series and has been awarded an average of four stars by viewers.

Creator John Fusco’s tale of greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry was shot in Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Italy and is produced by the Weinstein Company.

Netflix also announced upcoming premiere dates for the following new original series, all of which will be available globally upon release in all territories where Netflix is available:

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – 5 March 2015

From creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this half-hour single-camera comedy series stars Ellie Kemper as Kimmy, who escapes a doomsday cult and decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers, and a couple of way-past-due library books, Kimmy’s ready to take on a world she didn’t even think existed anymore. Wide-eyed but resilient, nothing is going to stand in her way. The 13-episode series, produced by Universal Television, also stars Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane and more. Fey and Carlock serve as executive producers, along with David Miner and Jeff Richmond.

Bloodline – 20 March 2015

When the eldest brother and black sheep of the Rayburn family returns home, he exposes the emotional demons that lie at the core of the family, threatening to tear them apart. With a stellar cast headlined by Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, Norbert Leo Butz, Jacinda Barrett, Jamie McShane, Enrique Murciano, Sissy Spacek, and Sam Shepard, the 13-episode series is from executive producers Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler (Damages), and produced by Sony Pictures Television.

Marvel’s Daredevil – 10 April 2015

Blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) fights against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the Super Hero “Daredevil” in modern day Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Produced by Marvel Television and ABC Studios, with executive producers Steven S. DeKnight (Spartacus), Jeph Loeb (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Drew Goddard (Cabin In The Woods), the series also stars Rosario Dawson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson.

Grace and Frankie – 8 May 2015

In this irreverent and touching series, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin star as Grace and Frankie, a pair of frenemies whose lives are turned upside down - and permanently intertwined - when their husbands leave them for each other. Together, they must face starting over in their 70s in a 21st century world. The series also stars Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston, Brooklyn Decker, Ethan Embry, June Diane Raphael and Baron Vaughn. Created by Marta Kauffman (Friends) and Howard J. Morris (Home Improvement), the 13-episode series is produced by Skydance Productions and executive producers Kauffman, Morris, Fonda, Tomlin, Paula Weinstein, David Ellison, David Goldberg and Marcy Ross.