The Protector

Hakan is an ordinary shopkeeper in Istanbul when a chain of strange events reveals he has a link to an age-old order sworn to guard the city. His everyday life flips as he learns there are hidden adversaries and a legacy of protection that falls on him. He has to juggle regular relationships and responsibilities while learning new skills and allies, including people who know more about the secret world than he does. The series follows his adjustment to sudden duties, the moral choices that come with power, and how a modern city gets framed as something ancient and fragile without spoiling specific twists.

Released on Netflix in late 2018, the series was created by Binnur Karaevli and stars Çağatay Ulusoy, Hazar Ergüçlü and Okan Yalabık. It was notable as Netflix's first Turkish original, produced and filmed in Turkey for a global streaming audience.

The show helped introduce wider audiences to contemporary Turkish genre work by blending local locations and folklore with superhero-style stakes. It inspired active international fan communities, spurred tourism interest in Istanbul landmarks seen on screen, and boosted the profile of its lead cast among viewers outside Turkey.

Critical and audience responses varied, with a solid average rating around 7.2 from public votes. Reviewers tended to praise the ambition, action set pieces, and use of Istanbul as a living backdrop, while pointing out uneven pacing and tonal shifts across episodes. Main themes include identity, duty versus desire, and the tension between modern life and inherited responsibilities.

It did not rack up major international awards, though it gained noticeable viewership and discussion online, which encouraged further seasons and helped Netflix expand its investment in Turkish productions.