NETFLIX’S “Marco Polo” has reached the end of its road.

    The streaming giant has opted to cancel the scripted drama after two seasons. It becomes the first Netflix original scripted series to not be renewed for a third season.

    Originally developed with a straight-to-series order at Starz back in 2012, “Marco Polo” debuted to dismal reviews and little buzz.

    The drama, produced by The Weinstein Co., featured a global cast that included Lorenzo Richelmy in the title role with Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan. The second season launched quietly July 1, with options on the cast set to expire at year’s end. Sources say the series, across both seasons, was responsible for a US$200 million loss to the streaming giant. Sources say the decision to not move forward with a third season of “Marco Polo” was a joint one between Netflix and TWC.

    The news comes months after Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a roundtable discussion with other executives that “Marco Polo” had done “what it was supposed to do.” “’Marco Polo’ is one of those shows for us [where viewership doesn’t matter to international audiences],” he said. “It’s hugely popular all throughout Asia and Europe, and there’s a lot of focus on if your neighbors might be watching it. And it’s really irrelevant because it’s doing what it’s supposed to do.”

    “Marco Polo” joins a short list of series that have been canceled at the streaming giant that also includes “Bloodline,” which will end with its upcoming third season, as well as “Hemlock Grove,” which also wrapped after three seasons.

    Other shows awaiting word on their future at Netflix include “The Get Down,” which still needs to air the second half of its freshman season, “Easy and Between.” For The Weinstein Co., “Marco Polo” marks a far cry of where the independent studio is with its television arm right now. (SD-Agencies)