Netflix sets sail with Marco Polo

US VoD service Netflix has confirmed the pick up of The Weinstein Company drama series based on the life of Venetian merchant traveller Marco Polo.

The nine-episode epic, created by John Fusco (Young Guns), was originally developed for Starz before the US paynet passed on the project.

The series will premiere on Netflix in late 2014, with all nine episodes to be made available at once in all territories the OTT service is available.

Kon-Tiki’s Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg will develop the series, while Game of Thrones director Dan Minahan will exec produce. The series will begin shooting soon at the new Pinewood Studios, Malaysia, Netflix confirmed.

Marco Polo is Netflix’s latest big-budget drama, following on from its originals House of Cards, Hemlock Grove and Orange Is the New Black.