‘Sandokan’: First-Look Images Unveiled Of Series Based On Emilio Salgari’s Epic

Max Goldbart
·2-min read

Take a first peek at Sandokan, a new international adaptation of Emilio Salgari’s historic saga about the adventures of a titular pirate who, with his motley crew, fights against colonial powers in Southeast Asia. Scroll down for more.

Fremantle’s Lux Vide in collaboration with Rai Fiction have unveiled the first-look images, which show the various characters assembled for the TV series. Sandokan will air on Rai1 in Italy and be distributed internationally by Fremantle and in Spain by Mediterráneo Mediaset España Group.

More from Deadline

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.

Sandokan is a pirate who lives by the day: he fights only for himself and his crew, including his trusted Yanez. But his life changes when during a raid he meets Marianne, the beautiful daughter of the British consul in Labuan.

Based on an idea by Lux Vide CEO Luca Bernabei, the new Sandokan will have a strong connection to the environment, and was developed for television by Alessandro Sermoneta (Devils), Scott Rosenbaum (The Shield) and Davide Lantieri (Monterossi), and directed by Jan Maria Michelini (Devils) and Nicola Abbatangelo (Doc). Other actors starring include 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 from 1976 catapulted actor Kabir Bedi to Bollywood stardom, having sold to more than 85 countries around the world.

“Sandokan is not just a story about pirates, or about history, or adventures in exotic lands, it’s a story about love: one of the first multicultural romances of our times, and, never more so than today, a symbol of a passionate and peaceful answer to hate and division,” said Luca Bernabei, Lux Vide CEO, and Producer.

Jens Richter, CEO Commercial and International at Fremantle, added: “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.”

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories