The pirate drama 'Sandokán' arrives on Telecinco on July 22 at 23:00, bringing the legendary character back to Spanish television. Led by Turkish star Can Yaman, the series reimagines the story of a pirate fighting for freedom in 19th-century Southeast Asia, drawing on the adventure novels of Italian author Emilio Salgari. Sandokan first appeared in Salgari’s fiction in 1883, decades before the character became a television phenomenon in the 1970s. The international cast features Alanah Bloor as Marianna and Ed Westwick. Alessandro Preziosi plays Yanez, with John Hannah and Madeleine Price also appearing. Owen Teale and Samuele Segreto round out the cast. Jan Maria Michelini and Niccola Abbantangelo direct.
Set in Borneo in 1841, 'Sandokán' follows its namesake, a charismatic pirate who challenges British colonial power in the region. The plot follows Sandokán's struggle for liberty and his loyalty to his crew, then brings him into an unexpected encounter with Marianna Guillonk, the daughter of the British consul. Their meeting sparks a romance that defies social boundaries and Victorian conventions, while attracting the attention of Lord James Brooke, a notorious pirate hunter determined to capture Sandokán and win Marianna's affection. The adaptation retains the basic relationship between the Malay pirate and the consul’s daughter while reshaping Salgari’s saga for an international television audience.
The series examines identity and resistance while exploring the cost of freedom through action-led romantic drama. Sandokán's journey is shaped by his friendship with Yanez de Gomera, a seasoned Portuguese pirate, and his interactions with Sani, Marianna's Dayak maid. Lord Guillonk, the British consul, also figures in the story. The narrative addresses the exploitation of natural resources and the impact of colonial ambitions on local populations.
In the opening episodes, Sandokán raids a Brunei sultan's ship before rescuing a Dayak prisoner. He later infiltrates Labuán disguised as a civilian. Tensions escalate during a tiger hunt, where he faces off against Lord James Brooke, and at a grand ball celebrating Marianna's 21st birthday, where rivalries and hidden identities come to the fore. Sandokán's attempt to free his captured crew raises the stakes for everyone involved.
'Sandokán' was filmed across several Italian regions. Production took place in Lazio and Tuscany, with additional filming in Calabria. Alessandro Sermoneta and Davide Lantieri are part of the creative team, with Scott Rosenbaum also involved. The series premiered in Italy on Rai 1 in December 2025 as an eight-episode production by Lux Vide, ahead of its scheduled Spanish launch on Telecinco. Italian industry coverage reported an average of more than 4.6 million viewers per episode during the Rai 1 run. That figure describes the Italian linear-broadcast audience, not a Spanish Telecinco result. The series was also presented at Rome’s MIA Market, where it featured among Italian productions attracting international market interest.
The adaptation has since been positioned for distribution beyond Italy and Spain. Hungary’s RTL has scheduled its broadcast premiere for November 2026, with Can Yaman in a principal role. Alanah Bloor and Alessandro Preziosi also feature in the basic cast. Plans for a second season have been reported, with an intended Italian broadcast in 2027 and filming locations in Calabria, including Lamezia Terme, Capo Vaticano, and Tropea. The continuation is expected to bring back Sandokán and Marianna, alongside Yanez and Lord Brooke. Can Yaman said at the 2026 Sanremo Festival press conference that the planned May 2026 filming start had been postponed, leaving the production timetable subject to change.
The original 'Sandokán' television series became a global phenomenon in the 1970s, influencing generations of viewers and shaping the adventure genre on European television. The new adaptation seeks to balance nostalgia with modern storytelling, potentially attracting longtime fans and a new generation interested in historical drama. Can Yaman, known for his roles in Turkish dramas, leads a cast that includes performers associated with international productions such as 'The Mummy' and 'Gossip Girl'. Other cast members have appeared in 'Game of Thrones'. The series pairs adventure with reflection on enduring social issues, keeping freedom and identity at its center.
