Turkish Superstar Can Yaman Talks Playing Real-Life Hero in ‘El Turco’ at Mipcom

Marta Balaga
·4-min read
Turkish Superstar Can Yaman Talks Playing Real-Life Hero in ‘El Turco’ at Mipcom

Industry insiders couldn’t hide their excitement about the English-language series “El Turco,” which bowed a first-look trailer at Mipcom. Neither could its protagonist Can Yaman.

“I can’t wait for people to meet him,” said the Turkish star.

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In a show based on a true story, Yaman plays an Ottoman Janissary who finds refuge in an Italian village of Moena after the battle of Vienna in 1683. Nursed back to health by a local witch, he slowly convinces the villagers to fight for their rights.

“I first went to Italy to do ‘Sandokan’ but it had to be pushed back, also because of the pandemic,” he revealed, opening up about his unusual acting trajectory. In that show, he’ll be joined by Ed Westwick and John Hannah. In the meantime, Yaman also acted in “Viola Come il Mare.”

“It was a great chance for me because I actually studied Italian in my childhood. It was because of my mum – she wanted me to learn English and Italian, and be an international lawyer. When this opportunity came to me and I went to Italy, my mum was very happy,” he laughed. Later, he was offered “El Turco,” which marked his first English-language lead.

“Now, Moena is a ski resort, but many people there still feel Turkish. There is a Turkish week, they pull out Turkish flags and there’s a statue of this man who’s celebrated as a hero. When you get to see that, you are so impressed. The fact that it all happened in Italy, where I lived, and that there was this hero from the Ottoman Empire … When I first read the script, I got really excited.”

The six-episode historical drama was written by Kerem Deren and Çişil Hazal Tenim, and directed by Uluç Bayraktar. Yaman is joined by Will Kemp, Kieran O’Reilly, Veronica Ferres and Greta Ferro, while Kerem Çatay produced for Ay Yapım.

“The project matched my objectives precisely because it was all international. I was looking forward to doing that,” admitted Yaman, also discussing the “grueling” shoot in Hungary.

“You had to be like an athlete. I like to have a glass of whiskey or a cigar, but you can’t do that for eight months or a year. It was physically challenging. I was training for hours and then I worked out on my own in the gym,” he said, recalling punishing training.

“Hungarian crews are so strict. In Turkey, we are much more laid back. But after we wrapped, I was proud that we shot ‘El Turco’ in Hungary. I had this great stunt director who taught me everything about horses. I got to really learn about their psychology before I was riding them. In three-month time, I really knew how to behave around them.”

Kerem Çatay added: “Hungarian crews have all this knowledge, because of all the U.S. productions that go there. But it was so cold! It was okay for me, I was in the office, but Can was outside. It’s such a great story – a true story. I said: ‘Let’s go big.’ All the problems started right then, but we tried to push forward,” he joked.

According to Ateş İnce, managing director of Madd, “El Turco” will surprise many viewers who tend to associate Turkish shows with lower budgets. The company is currently planning a global release, which “will take place simultaneously in many countries in early 2025.”

“Everyone wants it, but we have to make sure we have the right broadcaster for each territory and that’s what we are working on. From the trailer alone, it’s obvious: It’s something different. Also, it’s Kerem’s passion project.”

“Even though it wasn’t the easiest of sets and we had our setbacks, the sensation was that it was a breakthrough for everyone [involved]. Everyone said it was the best job they’ve ever had and that it would be great, no matter what,” agreed Yaman.

“Without passion, we wouldn’t have done it. Passion was necessary for this story.”

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