El Turco

Hasan Balaban Aga, a former Janissary commander, relocates to Moena in northern Italy after the Vienna siege. He finds himself amid a town trying to rebuild and defend the rights of its residents against entrenched interests. The show follows his attempts to mediate between two culturally tense communities while navigating local politics, law, and personal loyalties. He forges uneasy alliances with locals and outsiders alike, seeking dignity for those overlooked by power. With action, intrigue, and moral complexity, El Turco paints a portrait of a man balancing past obligations with a new duty to a town that does not fully trust him. Snow often muffles the town yet can't hide the tension beneath.

Directed by Uluç Bayraktar and created by Kerem Deren, Çisil Hazal Tenim, and Orhan Yeniaras, El Turco stars Can Yaman as Hasan Balaban Aga with Greta Ferro, Will Kemp, Magnus Samuelsson and Slavko Sobin in roles in a 2025 release.

There are currently no publicly announced major award nominations for El Turco. The show has attracted attention for its international cast and high production values, but awards visibility will depend on future seasons and critical reception. Some observers note its daring cross cultural premise, cinematic flavor and international appeal.

Early discussions around El Turco hint at a potential cultural footprint as audiences see a Turkish led character navigate Alpine Italy and weigh local rights against imperial power. The interplay of Ottoman and Italian worlds may shape debates on identity and governance. It could spark wider conversations across communities nationwide.

Critical talk centers on the show's tense action sequences and its focus on loyalty and justice in a borderland setting. The themes of adaptation, power, and moral choice unfold through Hasan Balaban Aga's moves between past obligations and a town's fragile hopes. Its brisk pace and cast promise staying power.