Synopsis
El Turco is an upcoming historical drama series produced for Disney+ and inspired by the novel “El Turco – II Viyana Kusatmasinin Bilinmeyen Yönleri” by Orhan Yeniaras.
The story follows Balaban Aga, an Ottoman intelligence officer who was captured and wounded during the Siege of Vienna in 1638. He escapes and goes to the small Italian village of Moena, where he helps organize a peasant uprising against the oppressive overlords.
The series stars popular Turkish actor Can Yaman as Balaban Aga and Italian actress Greta Ferro as the female lead Gloria. Filming took place over 6 months in 2023 at Korda Studios in Hungary.
Cast and Crew
Can Yaman
Can Yaman play Balaban Aga, the brave Ottoman soldier and leader of the peasant uprising. He is one of Turkey’s most famous and critically acclaimed actors. Known as the “King of Turkish Romantic Comedy”, he has starred in numerous hit romantic series over the past decade.
Born in Istanbul in 1989, Yaman comes from a modest upbringing where he earned many academic scholarships that enabled him to attend prestigious schools. He later graduated from law school and even practiced for a few years as a corporate attorney. Yet his passion remained acting, as he had an innate knack for connecting emotionally to roles in a charming and charismatic style.
Discovered while vacationing and taking acting classes in Bodrum, one of his very first roles was starring in a Turkish music video at age 24. This jumpstarted his meteoric rise to fame as he took lead roles in television shows like Gönül İşleri in 2014. His major breakout series was 2017’s romantic comedy Aşk Laftan Anlamaz opposite actress Hande Erçel. Portraying a tough, rebellious male lead, this launched Yaman into Turkish superstardom and global recognition as the series streamed internationally.
Since then, Yaman has continued his career ascent with movies, spokeswoman roles, stock investments, and prolific charity work. Most relevantly, he consistently takes on action-oriented roles like the lead in the adventure series Erkenci Kuş, showing off rugged athletic talents like horse riding, fencing, and combat. Given Balaban Aga’s similar soldier background and the emphasis on stunt work in El Turco’s revolt storyline, Yaman seems perfectly cast to embody this type of bold, moral leader.
Yaman’s global popularity ensures El Turco will have built-in pan-European appeal. As the central hero rallying Italian villagers to his rebellion cause, his natural charisma and principled screen presence make him very believable as their guide and inspiration. For many, El Turco may serve as an introduction to this talented Turkish superstar.
Greta Ferro in El Turco
Greta Ferro plays Gloria, described as a brave and beautiful woman who assists Balaban. Ferro is an Italian actress and model who has starred in Made in Italy.
While Yaman provides household name recognition in the lead female role Gloria, Italian actress Greta Ferro also has the perfect background to play his counterpart as a courageous young villager embracing Balaban’s fight.
Born in the small town of Vasto, Italy, Ferro’s family has creative ties with her professor mother, and entrepreneur father running an artisanal pasta company. After high school, she simultaneously built careers as a student, model, and actress – attending Milan’s prestigious Bocconi University business school while booking luxury brand campaigns and studying theatre on the side.
Ferro’s acting debut came via Italian short films and an Armani beauty campaign in 2018. Her big breakout happened when she starred as a lead in the Italian TV drama Made in Italy in 2019. Set in the world of Milanese fashion, this series aired across Europe allowing Ferro to display smart, ambitious qualities similar to her El Turco role.
Since then Greta has continued acting while modeling for labels like Guess and Ralph Lauren. Fluent in four languages, her comfort communicating across cultures fits a character cooperating closely with Ottoman fugitive Balaban Aga. Having both fashion and entertainment backgrounds, Ferro’s outlook mirrors the peasant dreamer Gloria.
Other cast members include:
- Will Kemp as a werewolf character
- Kieran O’Reilly, an Irish actor known for Vikings
- Slavko Sobin, a Croatian actor
- Magnus Samuelsson, a Swedish strongman and actor
The series is directed by Uluç Bayraktar, an award-winning Turkish director known for television series like Çıplak Gerçek.
Filming took place at Korda Studios in Hungary, which has medieval backlot sets perfect for this period drama.
Themes and Background of El Turco
The story highlights unknown aspects of the Siege of Vienna in 1638, where the Ottoman Empire attempted to capture the city from the Holy Roman Empire.
It also follows the adventures of Balaban Aga after he escapes from the battle into northern Italy, organizing a peasant revolution against abusive feudal overlords.
The title El Turco translates to “The Turk” in Spanish and Italian, referring to Balaban’s Ottoman origins. As an intelligence officer and foreigner now leading Italian peasants, he stands out from the normal medieval hero.
The series promises lots of action and drama as Balaban adjusts to his new role and fights to liberate the oppressed peasants. There will likely be themes of leadership, oppression, rebellion, and fighting for freedom.
What to Expect in Future Episodes of El Turco
As this is the first season, there are lots of potential directions the story could take in future episodes:
- Will Balaban succeed in defeating the corrupt overlords and liberating Moena? Or will they crush the rebellion?
- Might Balaban return to assist in the Ottoman Empire’s next attempt to capture Vienna?
- Could Balaban travel to even more countries and somehow get involved in rebellions and battles everywhere?
- Will Balaban ever find love, or reunite with a love interest from his past?
- How will peasants react to a foreign Ottoman soldier leading their fight? Will rivalries/prejudices emerge?
The exotic setting of an Ottoman soldier leading 16th-century Italian peasants is ripe for all kinds of drama, action, and plot twists. Fans are eager to see where the story and Balaban’s adventures will take him next!
Frequently Asked Questions in El Turco
What is El Turco about?
El Turco is an upcoming historical drama centering on Balaban Aga, an Ottoman intelligence officer who was captured at the siege of Vienna in 1638. After escaping, he makes his way to Italy and organizes a peasant uprising against oppressive overlords.
Who stars in El Turco?
Popular Turkish actor Can Yaman will play the lead role of Balaban. Italian actress Greta Ferro plays the female protagonist Gloria. A cast of European actors joins them.
Where can I watch El Turco when it comes out?
El Turco will be released exclusively on Disney+. The release date is yet to be announced.
What language will El Turco be in?
The series was filmed in English with an international cast. It will stream in multiple languages on different Disney+ hubs.
Who is directing and producing El Turco?
Accomplished Turkish director Uluç Bayraktar is directing. It is produced by Ay Yapım, a Turkish production company, for Disney+.
Where was El Turco filmed?
Filming took place over 6 months in 2023 at Korda Studios in Hungary, which boasts medieval outdoor sets perfect for the period.
Is El Turco based on a book?
It is adapted from the Turkish novel “El Turco – II Viyana Kusatmasinin Bilinmeyen Yönleri” by Orhan Yeniaras, published in 2019.
What is the significance of the Siege of Vienna?
The Ottoman Empire laid siege to Vienna in 1638 trying to capture the city from the Holy Roman Empire, but failed. It marked the beginning of the decline of Ottoman dominance in Europe.
Will there be a second season?
There is no official announcement for the time being, but the historical setting allows for many potential adventures in future seasons!
Where to Watch El Turco With English Subtitles?
There is no official announcement on the release of the most awaited Can Yaman’s Series El Turco, but netizens are hoping to release it soon in Fall 2024. You can watch the series with English Subtitles on Disney+, but also you can watch it here.
Sajnos a cikkben a 2017-es sorozat tévesen van, abban nem szerepelt, 2017-ben a Dolunaiy (Telehold) sorozatban játszott és a partnere Özge Gürel volt.