Netflix announces premiere dates for 'The Crown,' 'Marco Polo'

PARIS, April 12 (UPI) -- Netflix has announced the premiere dates for three of its high-profile, international dramas.

The eight-episode Marseille will launch globally on May 5.

"As the municipal elections approach in Marseille, Robert Taro, the city's mayor for the last 20 years, prepares his last coup: push through the vote for the construction of a casino in the historic center of the marina. Nothing has been left to chance, and his successor, Lucas Barrès, is already designated," press notes explain.

The cast includes Gérard Depardieu, Benoît Magimel, Géraldine Pailhas, Nadia Farès, Stéphane Caillard, Jean-René Privat, Guillaume Arnault, Hedi Bouchenafa, Carolina Jurczak and Nassim Si Ahmed.

Season 2 of the epic, action-adventure series Marco Polo is to begin streaming its 10 new episodes July 1.

Created by John Fusco, the show stars Lorenzo Richelmy as the title character. Rounding out the ensemble are Michelle Yeoh, Benedict Wong, Joan Chen, Zhu Zhu, Tom Wu, Olivia Cheng, Claudia Kim, Rick Yune, Remy Hii, Mahesh Jadu and Uli Latukefu.

"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," a synopsis said.

The 10-episode historical drama The Crown is to debut Nov. 4. It reunites writer Peter Morgan with his previous collaborators -- director Stephen Daldry and producer Andy Harries.

Based on the award-winning play, The Audience, The Crown tells the inside story of British Queen Elizabeth II's early reign. The series stars Claire Foy as the monarch, Matt Smith as Prince Phillip, John Lithgow as Sir Winston Churchill, Victoria Hamilton as the Queen Mother, Jared Harris as King George VI, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and Dame Eileen Atkins as Queen Mary.