Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Resurrection: Ertugrul, which completely revolutionized the historical drama genre by bringing the legendary foundations of the Ottoman Empire to life through epic battles, political intrigue, and the inspiring journey of one warrior who would change the course of history.
Resurrection: Ertugrul premiered on December 10, 2014, featuring 5 seasons with a total of 150 episodes (split into 448 episodes on Netflix) with approximately 120-minute runtime each in its original format. This Turkish historical fiction adventure series was created by Mehmet Bozdağ and aired on TRT 1, starring Engin Altan Düzyatan as Ertugrul Ghazi. The series masterfully explores themes of honor, justice, faith, and leadership while chronicling the 13th-century Turkic tribal struggles that would eventually give rise to the mighty Ottoman Empire.
Netflix streamed the show internationally from 2016-17 through 2023, and the show has been well received in Turkey and other countries such as Pakistan and Azerbaijan. What sets Resurrection: Ertugrul apart is its ambitious scope, combining authentic historical elements with compelling personal drama and spectacular battle sequences that rival major Hollywood productions.
When Honor Leads to Empire
The story centers on a 13th-century Turkish warrior who, when a good deed unwittingly endangers his clan, agrees to fight a sultan’s enemies in exchange for new tribal land. Ertugrul Ghazi leads the Kayı tribe through treacherous political landscapes, facing enemies both external and internal while striving to protect his people and uphold the principles of justice and faith.
The central narrative follows Ertugrul’s evolution from a tribal leader to a legendary figure whose actions would lay the groundwork for his son Osman’s future empire. Each season presents new challenges, from Byzantine conspiracies to Mongol invasions, while exploring how one man’s unwavering moral compass can influence the destiny of entire civilizations.
Ertugrul (Engin Altan Düzyatan): The Noble Warrior with Unshakeable Principles
Ertugrul emerges as one of the most compelling historical drama protagonists ever created, embodying the perfect balance of warrior prowess and spiritual wisdom. Engin Altan Düzyatan delivers a career-defining performance that showcases Ertugrul’s unwavering commitment to justice, even when it costs him personally. His character represents the ideal of leadership through service, always putting his people’s welfare above his own ambitions.
Throughout the series, Ertugrul’s character development focuses on his growth from a young tribal leader learning to navigate complex political situations to a seasoned statesman whose decisions shape the future of entire regions. His journey involves mastering not just the art of war, but the more challenging art of building lasting peace through strength and wisdom.
Halime Sultan (Esra Bilgiç): The Princess Who Chose Love Over Power
Halime Sultan serves as both Ertugrul’s romantic interest and his intellectual equal, representing the sophisticated Byzantine world that intersects with the nomadic Turkic tribes. Esra Bilgiç brings depth and strength to a character who could easily have been reduced to a typical period drama love interest. Instead, Halime becomes an integral part of the political and emotional storylines.
The relationship between Ertugrul and Halime symbolizes the bridge between different cultures and civilizations, with their love story serving as a metaphor for the peaceful coexistence that Ertugrul strives to achieve on a larger scale.
The Foundation of a Future Empire
The series reaches multiple climactic moments across its five seasons, each building toward the ultimate realization of Ertugrul’s vision for a just society. The overarching climax involves the establishment of the foundations that would eventually become the Ottoman Empire, with Ertugrul’s final victories serving as both personal triumphs and historical turning points.
The finale episode broadcasted in Turkey on 29 May 2019 after 5 seasons, with the sequel Resurrection Osman continuing the legacy. The resolution masterfully balances historical authenticity with emotional satisfaction, showing how Ertugrul’s principles and actions create the conditions for his descendants’ future greatness.
Supporting Characters: A Rich Tapestry of Historical Figures
The extensive supporting cast includes fellow tribal leaders, Byzantine nobles, Mongol commanders, and various historical figures who collectively create a vivid portrait of 13th-century Anatolia. Each character, from loyal friends like Turgut and Bamsi to complex antagonists representing different political factions, contributes to the series’ exploration of leadership, loyalty, and the clash of civilizations.
The series excels at presenting multi-dimensional characters whose motivations remain understandable even when they oppose Ertugrul, creating a realistic portrayal of historical conflicts where right and wrong are not always clear-cut.
Success on Netflix: Global Historical Drama Phenomenon
The show ran for five seasons on the Turkish network for 150 episodes but was split into 448 episodes when added to Netflix, making it one of the most extensive historical drama series available on the platform. The series gained massive international popularity, particularly in Muslim-majority countries, for its positive portrayal of Islamic values and historical Muslim leaders. Viewers often found themselves binge-watching all 464 episodes, testament to the show’s addictive storytelling and high production values. The show’s global success helped establish Turkish historical dramas as a major export industry and paved the way for numerous similar productions.
If you love epic historical dramas with authentic period details and inspiring leadership themes, Resurrection: Ertugrul is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
Resurrection: Ertugrul transforms historical drama through spectacular production values, authentic period details, and inspiring storytelling that chronicles the legendary foundations of one of history’s greatest empires.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 150 (448 on Netflix format)
- Platform: Netflix (originally TRT 1, also available on various international platforms)
- Rating: 7.9/10
- Genre: Historical Drama, Action, Adventure, War
- Protagonists: Engin Altan Düzyatan (Ertugrul), Esra Bilgiç (Halime Sultan)
- Supporting Cast: Hülya Darcan, Kaan Taşaner, Cengiz Coşkun, Serdar Gökhan, Cavit Çetin Güner