Marco Polo becomes fourth original series to be cancelled by Netflix

It becomes the fourth original series to be given the axe by the streaming service

With its original content count set to surge even higher in 2017, Netflix has decided to call time on one of its lesser-performing shows, Marco Polo.

Having aired just two seasons, the medieval series following the 13th-century explorer - played by Lorenzo Richelmy - won't be returning for more.

It follows in the same footsteps as Lilyhammer, Hemlock Grove and Bloodline as the only TV shows to have currently been axed by the streaming service.

The series, created by John Fusco, was produced by the Weinstein Company who will now turn its attention to the upcoming TV shows it's bringing to screen; these include two high-profile dramas for Amazon Studios, one from director David O. Russell (American Hustle) which stars Julianne Moore and Robert De Niro, and the other from Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner.

Marco Polo initially starred Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange) and Twin Peaks actor Joan Chen with Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Gabriel Byrne (Miller's Crossing) joining the cast for its second run.

Earlier this year, Netflix confirmed that season three of drama Bloodline - starring Kyle Chandler, Sissy Spacek and Rogue One villain Ben Mendelsohn - would be its last.

In 2017, the streaming service will see a surge in its original content - with an emphasis on unscripted projects - that'll see it average almost one TV series per week.