PHOTOS: First Look at Netflix's New Series MARCO POLO to Premiere 12/12

The highly anticipated Netflix original series "Marco Polo" will premiere at 12:01am PT on December 12, 2014 in all territories where Netflix is available. Below are the first five images from the series. In a world replete with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry, "Marco Polo" is based on the famed explorer's adventures in Kublai Khan's court in 13th century China.

The show stars Italian newcomer Lorenzo Richelmy as 'Marco.' Best known for her role in The Wachowski's "Cloud Atlas," the Beijing-born Zhu Zhu plays Marco's love interest 'Kokachin.' Joan Chen ("Twin Peaks") and Benedict Wong ("Prometheus") also star in the show's eclectic global cast as Empress Chabi and Kublai Khan. Rounding out "Marco Polo's" global cast of characters will be Remy Hii as 'Prince Jingim,' Olivia Cheng as 'Mei Lin,' Claudia Kim as 'Khutulun," Uli Latukefu as 'Byamba,' Chin Han as 'Jia Sidao,' and Tom Wu as 'Hundred Eyes.'

Creator John Fusco ("Forbidden Kingdom," "Young Guns," "Hidalgo") and Harvey Weinstein are executive producers on "Marco Polo." Dan Minahan ("Game of Thrones," "True Blood") also serves as executive producer and directed two episodes for the 10-episode first season. Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg (Academy Award nominated "Kon-Tiki," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales") directed the season's first two episodes and serve as executive producers. Patrick MacManus serves as co-executive producer. Collin Creighton produced on behalf of The Weinstein Company.