Principal photography begins on Netflix’s first Turkish original series
David Farnor | On 10, Mar 2018
Netflix’s first Turkish original series has begun principal photography in Istanbul this week.
Starring Cagatay Ulusoy, Okan Yalabik, Ayca Aysin Turan, Hazar Erguclu and Mehmet Kurtulus, the show is a superhero story that fuses fantasy with Ottoman and Turkish legend and history.
Executive produced by Onur Guvenatam and created by Binnur Karaevli, the 10-episode series will be directed by on-the-rise director Can Evrenol with cinematography by award-winning Gokhan Tiryaki, production design by Deniz Gokturk, and visual effects by Gradient Effects.
It follows the epic adventure of Hakan, a young shopkeeper whose modern world gets turned upside down when he learns he’s connected to a secret, ancient order, tasked with protecting Istanbul. At the story’s start, Hakan couldn’t be further from a hero — just an ordinary guy in this city of 15 million, where East meets West and past meets present. He must quickly learn that his hometown is under threat from the mysterious, mystical Immortals, and it’s his job to stop them. It’s a task he’s not only unprepared for, but resists — will he fulfill his destiny as the last protector?
Ulusoy stars in the role of Hakan, the last Protector in Istanbul; Yalabik as Faysal, a successful businessman that Hakan looks up to. Erguclu plays Zeynep, Hakan’s confidant and Turan will play Leyla, Faysal’s chief of staff and Hakan’s love interest. We will see Kurtulus as Mazhar, Faysal’s right hand. It also stars Okan Yalabik, Ayca Aysin Turan, Hazar Erguclu and Mehmet Kurtulus.
The untitled drama is expected to premiere on Netflix later this year.
Netflix orders first Turkish original series
29th May 2017
Netflix continues to broaden its horizons with the commission of its first original series from Turkey.
The untitled series will be written and produced in Turkey, weaving a hero-driven action story with Ottoman and Turkish legend and history.
The show will span 10 episodes and focus on a young man who discovers that he has special powers. When dark forces that threaten to destroy Istanbul emerge, he must team up with a group of misfit friends to harness these powers to defend the city and all of mankind. The show will explore the rich cultural history of Istanbul and promises to “take the audience on a riveting journey into the heart of this magical city”.
The series is produced for Netflix by Istanbul-based O3 Medya, with Onur Guvenatam as exec producer.
“We’re thrilled to confirm that we will be producing our first Turkish original series and are very happy to be working with O3 Medya on this project, which is young, fresh, and exciting. We believe that Netflix will be the perfect global platform for this great Turkish production and we can’t wait to share more details later this year,” says Erik Barmack, Vice President of International Original Series at Netflix.
“We are extremely proud to be producing the first original series in Turkey. We are confident that this new genre will be a milestone for our market and it will not only resonate with the Turkish audience but will also travel globally,” adds Guvenatam, Co-Owner of O3 Medya.
The commission builds upon an expanding library of Turkish content currently available on Netflix, including licensed dramas, such as Magnificent Century, Ezel and Lovebird. Netflix says these are “already very popular” with subscribers around the world.
It will premiere on Netflix in 2018.