Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama El Turco, which premiered globally in April 2025 and delivers an ambitious historical epic about identity, survival, and fighting for justice in 17th century Italy.
El Turco premiered on April 2, 2025, across multiple international platforms including StarzPlay (MENA region), Mediaset Infinity (Italy), and various global streaming services. The series features six episodes running approximately one hour each, making it a compelling miniseries format that tells a complete story. Starring Can Yaman and directed by Uluç Bayraktar, this marks the first fully English-language Turkish production to premiere in over 30 countries simultaneously.
Set after the Battle of Vienna in 1683, El Turco follows Balaban, a soldier in the Janissary army who becomes a prisoner of war and eventually settles in Moena, northern Italy, where he fights for the rights of local people. The series combines historical drama with themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the universal struggle for justice. What makes this show particularly compelling is its exploration of how someone can transform from conquered soldier to community protector while navigating the complex dynamics of being an outsider in a foreign land.
The Escape and New Beginning: When Prisoner Becomes Protector
El Turco centers on Balaban’s transformation from captured Ottoman soldier to the legendary figure known as “El Turco” who organizes resistance against oppression in Italian mountain communities. The central premise revolves around this identity shift as Balaban learns to navigate life as a refugee while discovering his capacity to lead others in their fight for justice. The series doesn’t shy away from exploring the psychological toll of losing one’s homeland while finding new purpose in protecting vulnerable communities.
Each episode builds the complexity of Balaban’s relationships with local villagers while showing how his military skills and moral compass make him an unlikely but effective champion for their cause. The show expertly balances historical authenticity with character-driven storytelling, creating a narrative that feels both epic and intimately personal.
Balaban/El Turco: Can Yaman’s Warrior Transformation
Can Yaman stars as Hasan Balaban, delivering what many consider his most complex and demanding performance to date. Yaman brings both physical intensity and emotional depth to this character who must reinvent himself completely after losing everything in battle. His portrayal captures the internal struggle of someone maintaining his cultural identity while adapting to completely foreign circumstances and responsibilities.
Balaban’s journey throughout the series showcases the evolution from defeated soldier to community leader, with Yaman’s performance emphasizing both the warrior’s tactical skills and his growing connection to the people he chooses to protect. The role allows Yaman to demonstrate his action capabilities while exploring deeper themes about belonging and purpose.
Gloria: Greta Ferro’s Determined Local Voice
Greta Ferro plays Gloria, representing the local Italian community that becomes central to Balaban’s new mission. Ferro brings strength and authenticity to a character who must navigate the complex dynamics of accepting help from a former enemy while fighting for her community’s survival. Her chemistry with Yaman creates the emotional foundation for exploring cross-cultural understanding and trust.
The relationship between Gloria and Balaban drives much of the series’ exploration of how people from different backgrounds can find common ground in shared struggles for justice and dignity.
Supporting Cast: Will Kemp’s Complex Antagonist
Will Kemp appears as a key antagonist, bringing depth to the forces that oppose Balaban’s efforts to protect the local community. Kemp’s performance creates a multi-layered opposition that represents both personal vendetta and systemic oppression, making the conflicts feel both intimate and historically significant.
The Final Stand: When Identities Collide
The series builds toward climactic confrontations where Balaban must fully embrace his new identity as “El Turco” while facing enemies who represent both his past and the threats to his adopted community’s future. Without spoiling specific details, the final episodes successfully tie together themes about cultural identity, belonging, and the price of standing up for justice when you’re an outsider fighting for acceptance.
These pivotal moments demonstrate how the series uses historical setting to explore timeless themes about refugees, community protection, and the possibility of finding home in unexpected places.
Global Success Across Platforms
El Turco holds a 5.9 rating on IMDb and has generated significant international attention as the first fully English-language Turkish production with such wide global distribution. The series premiered simultaneously on StarzPlay (MENA), Mediaset Infinity (Italy), IVI (Russia), Globoplay (Brazil), and other international platforms, demonstrating unprecedented reach for Turkish television content. Despite some controversy that led to its removal from Turkish platform GAIN, the series has found strong international audiences.
The Perfect Historical Epic
If you love historical dramas with themes of cultural identity, epic battles, and cross-cultural understanding, El Turco is the perfect series available across multiple streaming platforms worldwide. The show successfully combines Turkish production values with international storytelling ambitions while delivering both spectacular action and meaningful character development.
Why This Epic Transcends Borders
El Turco represents everything ambitious about modern international television by combining authentic historical setting with universal themes about displacement, identity, and finding purpose in protecting others. This isn’t just another period drama, it’s a cross-cultural exploration of what it means to belong and fight for justice regardless of where you come from.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 6 episodes (complete miniseries)
Platform: StarzPlay (MENA), Mediaset Infinity (Italy), IVI (Russia), Globoplay (Brazil), and other international platforms
Release Year: 2025
Current IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Genre: Historical Drama, Action, Adventure
Status: Complete series (premiered April 2, 2025)
Protagonists: Hasan Balaban/El Turco (Can Yaman), Gloria (Greta Ferro)
Antagonist: Historical oppression forces and enemies threatening the Italian mountain communities