| Sandokan | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action, drama |
| Based on | Sandokan by Emilio Salgari |
| Developed by | |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Directed by | Sergio Sollima |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Guido and Maurizio De Angelis |
| Country of origin | Italy, France |
| Original language | Italian |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Original release | |
| Network | Rai 1 |
| Release | December 1, 2025 |
Sandokan, also known as Sandokan: The Pirate Prince, is a 2025 Italian television series directed by Jan Maria Michelino and Nicola Abbatangelo, based upon the novels of Emilio Salgari featuring the pirate hero Sandokan. The series will air on Rai 1 from 1 December 2025 and will also be streamed on Disney+.
Borneo, 1841. Sandokan is a pirate who lives his daily life fighting for his freedom and that of his crew together with his faithful friend Yanez de Gomera. His life changes when, during an incursion on the island of Labuan, home of the British consulate, he meets the beautiful and indomitable daughter of the consul, Marianna Guillonk, the "pearl of Labuan". It is a meeting that will mark the fate of both, leading Sandokan to discover his true identity and embrace a greater mission and Marianna to understand the price of true freedom, very different from what she imagined. However, between the two comes Lord James Brooke, a formidable pirate hunter, ready to do anything to capture Sandokan and win Marianna's heart.
Lux Vide announced the series on 26 May 2022 and selected Can Yaman to play the titular character and Luca Argentero as Yanez. [1] The miniseries was the idea of Lux Vide CEO Luca Bernabei, and its distribution arrangement outside of Italy is held with Fremantle, its parent company. In Spain, Mediaset España holds the rights instead. [2]
On 18 April 2024, Variety reported that several big name actors (Ed Westwick, John Hannah, Alanah Bloor) had joined Can Yaman as part of the pool of actors in the new miniseries. [2]
Filming started on 22 April 2024 in Formello, near Rome, where Lux Vide opened its new studio complex. The series was also shot in Lazio, Tuscany and Calabria; it's in the last region where Labuan has been recreated with funds from the Calabria Film Commission. [2] Filming in Calabria started on 27 May, following the building of an industrial backlot in the city of Lamezia Terme. Local shooting started in Le Castella, Capo Rizzuto, Crotone. [3]
A preview was shown on 28 February 2025 during Fremantle Presents, Fremantle's upfront event at the London TV Screenings. [4] [5]
On 24 June 2025, the series was presented at the Italian Global Series Festival in Riccione. [6]
The series will air in Italy on Rai 1 and RaiPlay from 1 December 2025. The eight episodes will air over four weeks. After the eight episodes air on Rai, the series will be streamed on Disney+, which will ease its international distribution. [7]
In Portugal, the series will air on AXN in December. It was previewed locally at Tribeca Festival Lisboa in October, where Ed Westwick was present. [8]