Based on an idea by Lux Vide CEO Luca Bernabei, the new Sandokan will be a grand and epic action-adventure with a strong connection to the environment, developed for television by Alessandro Sermoneta (Devils); Scott Rosenbaum (The Shield); Davide Lantieri (Monterossi) and directed by Jan Maria Michelini (Devils) and Nicola Abbatangelo (Doc).
Turkish actor Can Yaman (Dolunay, Violet Like the Sea) stars as the legendary pirate Sandokan, alongside British newcomer Alanah Bloor (Waves) as Lady Marianne, the spirited daughter of the British consul.
A global story with an exceptional cast Sandokan also brings onboard a stellar international ensemble including Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl, The Children of Men), Alessandro Preziosi (The Doctors, Black Out, The Lying Lives of Adults), John Hannah (The Last of Us, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sliding Doors, The Mummy), Madeleine Price, Gilberto Gliozzi (Them, I delitti del Barlume), Mark Grosy (Zero Zero Zero) and Samuele Segreto (Stranizza d'amuri, The Hour).
The original TV series Sandokan directed in 1976 by Sergio Sollima, catapulted actor Kabir Bedi to Bollywood stardom, having sold to more than 85 countries around the world.
Jens Richter, CEO Commercial and International at Fremantle said “We are excited to reveal a first look at Sandokan. Action adventure at its best, built on a fantastic pirate franchise, it’s a premium series full of fun and escapism, bought to life by our spectacular ensemble cast. Lux Vide and Rai Fiction are fantastic partners, and we are thrilled to be part of this world class series with them.”
Sandokan will air on Rai1 in Italy and will be distributed internationally by Fremantle and in Spain by Mediterráneo Mediaset España Group.