User reviews

Based loosely on historical events, this production did not live up to the hype that surrounded it.

The plot was scattered, hard to follow, and often confusing.

And the lead characters, though attractive, tended to overact in ways that made moments of high drama laughable instead of of emotional for the viewer.

This was like a graphic novel or a panel of cartoons animated on the screen. Difficult to take it seriously.

The whole thing would have benefited from a serious script rewrite and intensive classes in some "less-is-more" acting for the cast.

For those who have studied the historical epic of reference, it is truly like being transported there, between magic, superstitions, poverty, heroic impulses and divisions between castes and peoples. The Ottoman Empire of that presses at the gates of Catholic Europe. The characters are all well characterized, they have their own little-big story to tell.... Hasan Balaban, rejected and unjustly accused, finds courage to redeem himself and take his place among the righteous. Glory is his cure for the wounds of the body and, above all, of the soul two strangers, two lost souls who find, in each other, their own.

The show impresses by its cinematic and scenography achievements, but unfortunately less for the acting and weak cartoon like characters.

The lead duo El Turco and Gloria played respectfully by Can Yaman and Greta Ferro - I didn't understand how and why they "love" developed. Greta Ferro's lack of artistic skills doesn't give a believable depth of her character, in some moments it feels like she is in some modern day protest or manifestation, telling the right words. She delivers her lines without any authenticity or inside. I don't really understand why Gloria has an interest in male protagonist and why she has any feelings for him at all. Can Yaman as a lead in this series invested all his time in physical transformation and in this field he achieves his objectives - he fights, rides the horse and jumps all on his own perfectly. But he missed the acting completely, that why his character feels flat to me, the character is lack of any depth, his facial impressions are like a cartoon and I truly didn't find any authentic reason why or how and when he falls in love with female protagonist at all. He is capable of much more.

The mane villain of the series could be very complicated and interesting performance, but the unfortunately Will Kemp is lack of any depth at all. He delivers his lines with same empty eyes without any inside of pain or anything else. Instead he delivered some weird sex scenes, which looks complete unrealistic and unnecessary. Sai Bennett as Diana maybe a little better, but the reason for her choices remains unclear to me, besides her lipstick and obvious modern looking heavy make up (?!) in 17 century. In general, all leading parts are flat and suffer from lack of development both in acting and in the storyline.

Same comes for the Kieran O'Reilly's performance. Spooky make up and wolf howling doesn't make it for a role.

The cast in supporting roles is much more interesting, the performances of Slavko Sobin and Armayan Oius gave some colorful moments, as main character's pack. Same comes for the performance of Maddalena Aragao and young Jónás Hefler.

Maybe the most realistic part of the series comes in its final 30 minutes.

In conclusion, with such a big budget the crew could deliver a much better storytelling and performance, than it came to us, unfortunately.

This is fantastic international series with absolutely gripping plot which starts at frame one and finishes at last frame of episode qui ding plot to opening of potential season 2. Can Yaman has delivered master performance which glues you to the screen from get go. His portrayal of torment and pain leaves you breathless while on other side his performance in love scenes with Gloria are completely convincing. Greta Ferro delivers incredible heroin Gloria with complete conviction and Will Kemp and Kieran O'Reilley deliver stunning antagonists. The shout also goes to Magnus Samuelson and his performance as Gunther.... This is must watch and must season 2 project.

I expected something much more meaningful.

The film was made with a focus on cinematography, stage effects and bringing too much drama into the scenes. However, as a result, there is a lack of depth and meaning in the story. The film is filled with violence, perversion and tragedy without any message. The story is told flatly and without a specific focus. Six hours of watching for a very tragic and weak ending - pure wasted time.

The only good thing about the film were the costumes, the set design and the actors, and especially Can Yaman. I really only watched the film for him. I was happy to see Veronica Ferres too. All the actors performed excellently and with interesting acting, that's why I watched the miniseries.

On the other hand, there was a lot of overplay in certain scenes, which was unnecessary (roaring, shouting and the like that), but I think this is entirely a directorial decision. There is a noticeable emphasis on evoking emotional affect, but at the expense of a well-told story.

The film is all fighting and growling, mixed with nudity and sex scenes.

The same story could have been presented in a much different and wiser way, with a focus on the heroism, courage and genius of the main character, on the essence of what brings people together, on the impact and power of love. And would be good to be presented at the end, the new image of the main character, into which he has become after everything he has experienced. It wasn't clear after everything Hasan Balaban lost, what new he was discovered.

Whoever decides to watch the film should know that there is a lot of death and the final is tragic.

El Turco is a world-class series. Everything is great: the production, the script, the director and cameramen, I would like to especially mention the production designer Domenic Sika, the hairstylist Desiree Corridoni, and of course the magnificent international cast, which includes actors from 11 countries, I applaud everyone standing up!!! Absolutely all the actors played their hearts out. Bravo!!! Can Yaman appeared completely different, completely new and how good he is in the drama, how much work was put into the role of Balaban by Can to achieve the result that we see on the screen. Bravo!!!

From the acting to the visuals to the action scenes that are dynamic and perfectly executed, El Turco absolutely blew me away - from the acting to the visuals to the action scenes that are dynamic and perfectly executed. Can Yaman delivers his most elaborate role yet, combining strength, charisma, and emotional depth. His physically demanding scenes feel authentic and add to the believability of the entire story.

The visuals of the series are masterfully crafted - beautiful historical locations, detailed costumes and precise camerawork create an atmosphere that draws the viewer into the story. The action and fight sequences are shot with precision and intensity that increases the tension in each episode.

The storyline is dramatic and full of surprising twists that keep the viewer's attention until the last minute. In addition, the interplay between the actors works great, which adds depth and authenticity to the story.

El Turco is simply a series that is not only entertaining, but also visually and emotionally captivating.

6 fast-paced episodes that you devour minute by minute.

A BEAUTIFULLY shot film, with a "continuous" plot. A mix of historical fiction and action! And I liked everything! It was a great project, and I watched it in one go. The cast is amazing. Well done, everyone. CAN is divinely talented, as always magnificent, brilliantly coped with the role of Hassan Balaban. Rating 10/10. I love all the movies with, CAN but he's amazing here! He plays in such a way that emotions go through the roof! Thanks to everyone who worked on the series! CAN Yaman! - Thank you for being here!!! Thanks to EVIE for showing "El Turko", WE ARE WAITING FOR SEASON 2 AND SANDOKAN! WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE!!

After watching the first episode one needs to go on watching and when the episodes end one needs more. I lijed everything of this series, the acting, the costumes, the historical background, the atmosphere...it's intriguing. It's historical but also a bit of a fairy tale with the eternal fight between good and evil. I liked all the actors but, since I have watched the previous series of Can Yaman, I must say that this series shows his growth as an actor and his multiple talents. He really worked a lot and learnt a lot for this role and one can see the good results of his committment. One special mention for Domenico Sica for the amazing scenography. Applause for Greta Ferro and all the cast.

El Turco offers a solid blend of historical fiction and action, with a storyline centered around a Turkish warrior's unexpected journey through 17th-century Europe.

Can Yaman delivers a grounded and physically commanding performance, bringing both emotional control and impressive stunt work to the role. His action and fight sequences are handled with precision and intensity, showcasing his physical capabilities and adding realism to the character's warrior identity.

Will Kemp stands out as the antagonist, bringing sharp precision and refined menace to his role. His charismatic yet threatening presence creates a strong contrast to Yaman's more restrained hero, and their onscreen rivalry drives much of the show's tension.

Greta Ferro provides emotional balance as Gloria, adding depth beyond a typical romantic subplot. Her character contributes meaningfully to the plot's moral complexity, making her a key part of the narrative.

The production design is a highlight - from the rural European settings to the detailed costume work, the show feels authentic and immersive. However, some story beats escalate too quickly, and a few episodes could benefit from more gradual pacing. Still, the overall arc remains engaging, especially for fans of period dramas with action and character-driven tension.

El Turco is a masterpiece. The plot is very interesting and very intriguing, it reveals real historical events by personal stories, fights between christians and muslis, between goods and evil. Scenography, costumes and soundtrack are amazing.

The actors have been chosen perfectly .The most impressive thing is a performance of Can Yaman as Hasan Balaban. He deserves many prizes and glory.

The action is very intensive, I couldn't stop watching El Turco until the end. I cried, was so excited and I needed a time to recover from these so strong emotions. I'm looking forward to for season 2 and recommend to everyone to watch ElTurco.

This show kept me on the edge of my seat on every single episode. I was shocked from beginning to end. This is what I've been waiting for Can Yaman. He is finally stepping into the action roles that I always thought he would be perfect in. What I also like about it is you get to see multiple languages. You get to see how the Turkish talk to one another as the Janissary but you also get to see so many international actors coming together and giving us this fabulous show. The person who picked this cast did a phenomenal job. I am hoping for a season two. I don't know what it would entail, but I am ready for it.

Wow is the word. The wait to watch ElTurco was definitely worth it as it allowed the time for Can Yaman to up skill the necessary difficult physical tasks that were required for him to play the role of ElTurco so convincingly. Can and Greta were cast to play the leads of the series and they played their roles perfectly and were so good together.

As an English speaking fan I really appreciate the fact that the series was filmed in English which would ensure an international audience.

All the actors chosen were perfect for their roles and played them convincingly. I loved the story line, and look forward to a 2nd season if there is one. 🤞🤞Well done to the ElTurco team. 👏👏👏

Wonderful series, actors prepared and able to transmit great emotions. It is a series rich in content and positive messages: inclusion, acceptance of the different, unity between religions and great respect, difficulties in accepting people when you are ignorant and do not know the culture. Can Yaman showed a masterful performance, rich in action and feeling. Greta Ferro presented a strong and independent woman, single mother figure who adopts and loves deeply a child abandoned by all for a physical defect. Gloria does not let herself be intimidated or dominated, Gloria decides to love without expecting anything. The friendship between the 4 Turks showed an intense and enviable feeling. Decebal is the friend that everyone would like to have: good advisor also of Elga, another brave woman in the series. In short, it is a historical story but extremely current.

El Turco is more than just a period drama-it's a fascinating study of identity, displacement, and the burden of legacy, made all the more compelling by the casting of Can Yaman as Balaban. The most striking aspect of this series is not just its sweeping visuals or high-stakes narrative, but how the life of its lead actor seems to eerily echo the arc of the very character he portrays.

Balaban, a Janissary warrior presumed dead after the Siege of Vienna, finds himself in a foreign land, straddling cultures, loyalties, and identities. He becomes both an outsider and a savior-a bridge between East and West. Can Yaman's own journey, from a high-profile career in Turkish television to a controversial yet ambitious reinvention in Europe, mirrors this balancing act. Like Balaban, Yaman has had to navigate the expectations of his homeland while carving out a new identity abroad, often at great personal cost.

This resonance feels almost prophetic. Balaban is haunted by his past and driven by a vision of something greater than himself-much like Yaman, who has become a symbol of the modern Turkish star attempting to transcend national borders. In portraying a character who must reinvent himself in exile, Yaman effectively performs his own story. The sense of exile, of attempting to do good in a world that views you with suspicion, feels lived-in, not acted. It gives the performance an emotional heft that goes beyond script and direction.

There's a meta-layer to El Turco that can't be ignored. In many ways, the series feels like a dramatized prophecy of Can Yaman's real-life transformation-a tale of legacy, reinvention, and a search for belonging. It's that rare moment when life and art align, and the result is a performance that is not only convincing but eerily self-reflective.

El Turco becomes more than a historical drama-it becomes a mirror. And in that mirror, we see not just Balaban's struggle, but Can Yaman's own. The prophecy is not in the plot-it's in the casting. Makes you believe in divine intervention.

This is a great storyline and acting by all is amazing. A great international cast. It keeps you riveted and leave you breathless at the end of each episode. This is Can Yaman's international debut and he does not disappoint. A actor that has amazing facial acting and draws you in to his eyes. I look forward to many more of his shows. The chemistry between Can and Greta is spot on and makes you fall in love with their story. All of the other actors do their part to make this story one for the ages. Will Kemp as Marco pulls off a creepy evil that character needs and to have Turkish speaking scenes brings it to a genuine reality of the two different cultures in this series. Well done!

Spectacular series, exceeded my expectations, it is an epic series, so even though it is fiction, it is based on real facts " The legend of "La Turchia" is deeply rooted in the history of the village of Moena, located in the province of Trento, Italy. According to local tradition, after the failed attempt to conquer Vienna by the Ottoman Empire in 1683, a wounded Ottoman janissary found refuge in Moena. Known to the locals as "Il Turco" (The Turk), he settled in the village, married a local woman and became an influential figure in the community. His leadership was crucial in the resistance of the population against the oppression of feudal lords, cementing his position as a regional hero..." It has high-level actors, especially Can Yaman who acted masterfully. Image, costumes, recordings, sound, plot, script, team etc, everything was excellent and very well done. The best series I watched this year. And this series entered my personal top 10 list, it is among my favorite series. Congratulations to everyone involved for having done this work.

Very entertaining, beautiful scenery, period sets and great acting. Binged the whole series and it held my attention and was excited to see what happened next, was interested in all the characters and learned some history. The whole cast was authentic and likable and Greta made a good female lead that you wanted to root for. Can Yaman is a superstar in the making and would love to see him in some more roles because he can genuinely act and uses facial expressions to convey emotions instead of just rushing the scene. All in all a great series - gives Game of Thrones vibes but faster paced and less fantasy.

El Turco delivers a visually stunning blend of historical fiction and fast-paced action, following the unexpected journey of a Turkish warrior through 17th-century Europe.

Can Yaman delivers a charismatic and physically convincing performance, and his fight scenes are precise and authentic. Will Kemp brings tension and fierce rivalry to the story as the antagonist, while Greta Ferro adds emotional depth.

The impressive production design and detailed costumes enhance the atmosphere, although the pacing could be more balanced in places. Nevertheless, El Turco is a spectacle that will thrill fans of period dramas with action and strong characters.

I was impressed with the entire cast, not one single actor/actress seemed out of place or wrong for the role. Everyone just seemed to perfectly blend in with their character in a natural, but yet outstanding way.

Special kudos to Can Yaman, who completely dedicated himself to the role, and wanted to personally perfect all the skills of Balaban. His dedication to every single aspect of his role, of his character makes him one of a kind.

A part from the skills, his acting never fails to amaze me. Amazing facial expressions, always at the right time and never over the top.

An absolutely amazing serie with a perfect cast. 6 short episodes which just rushed before my eyes, making it seem like just a few minutes. Can't wait to rewatch and notice even more details of what makes this a true masterpiece.

This series is honestly everything I've ever dreamed of as a hopeless romantic. It's historical, emotional, and filled with the kind of deep, soul-level love that we usually only get to read about in books. I still can't believe how perfectly it fed my delusional, book-style romance fantasies-it made me feel everything. What makes it even more special is that this was Can Yaman's first time doing a historical series, and yet he delivered like an absolute pro. You'd never think it was his first, because he played the role so effortlessly, with so much passion and depth.

Can Yaman is just on another level. His acting is phenomenal-he's one of those rare actors who doesn't just play a character, he becomes him. He can literally do any role, and still somehow surprise you with how natural and powerful he is on screen. He's such a gentleman, so respectful, and you can tell he's incredibly hardworking. Every scene with him has that quiet intensity and charm that just pulls you in completely. And his English? Don't even get me started-it's insanely sexy. His voice, the way he talks, his expressions... everything is just perfect.

He's the kind of man we all imagine while reading those romantic novels-the one who sees you like no one else, who makes you feel like the main character in your own love story. His eyes hold so much emotion and mystery, I swear he doesn't even have to speak for you to feel the moment. The chemistry, the passion, the connection-it all feels so real, so raw, and so beautiful. I kept rewatching scenes because I just couldn't get enough.

I'm beyond obsessed with this series and with Can Yaman. It's not just a show-it's an entire emotional experience. It stays with you, lives in your heart, and makes you fall in love over and over again. For anyone who believes in love that feels written in the stars, this is the series to watch.

Can Yaman and the entire crew did a great job. The experience this series gave us is more like a high quality and high standard movie. Worth the time spent watching this. Wishing Jaan many more successful work and hopefully a blockbuster movie opportunity too. We love you and kudos to your entire team whose commitment and hard work reflected very well on screen. El Turco cinematography , music, action and making is best of all that we have watched so far.

Jaan is a treasure yet to be fully discovered. Acting skills are amazing. Not only star but also a great human with great heart. Bless you.

Thanks for giving us this great treat.

The series is wonderful, the acting of Can Yaman, Greta Ferro and other actors is impeccable. The story captivates you, and you feel like you want more... That's why I give it a thousand points, waiting for the second season. The photography and scenography are stunning, the twists and turns keep the story interesting and captivating. The chemistry between the protagonists is amazing. I loved every scene, every detail and every performance. Can Yaman, Greta Ferro and Will Kemp put on a show. The only reservation I have, but it doesn't impact my evaluation, is that I think the episodes are a little short and could be a little longer. We dive into the series and before we know it,The episode ends, but other than that it's a great series, with excellent performances.

Have watched it several times . It's so good. A brilliant story . Can Yaman is wonderful. The talent of the actors.. Will Greta and others especially Toooel such a young actor. The story shows action . Blood sweat and tears perfect. I hope they continue the story. The practice Can Yaman devoted himself too took in sword fighting. Horseback riding. . Learning English. Practicing these daily the exercise routines to stay in shape .. mindless energy daily with professionals. Time and energy. He always lives his character 100 percent . Spending endless hours to perfect his character Hasam. He is a man of extreme intelligence.