El Turco, the highly-anticipated period drama starring Turkish superstar Can Yaman, finally has a premiere date.
Produced by Ay Yapım, the series made a splash at the 2024 edition of MIPCOM, where a first-look teaser generated major buzz—eventually landing El Turco on IMDb’s Top 10 Most Anticipated Series of 2025.
Poised to become the first fully English-language Turkish production to premiere in over 30 countries, El Turco tells the story of Balaban Ağa, a 17th-century Ottoman soldier who finds himself stranded far from home after being gravely wounded during the 1683 Siege of Vienna.
For everything we know about El Turco, read on.
When does El Turco come out?
The series will launch globally on March 21, 2025.
Will El Turco premiere in my country?
Likely! At MIPCOM, MADD Entertainment’s Ateş İnce shared the goal of a simultaneous worldwide premiere, and that vision appears to be coming to life.
So far, El Turco has confirmed premieres in these regions:
- Türkiye – Gain
- Brazil – Globoplay
- Russia – Ivi
- Italy – Mediaset Infinity
- MENA – Starzplay
How many episodes are in El Turco?
The series consists of six episodes.
What is El Turco about?
The official synopsis reads:
The Battle of Vienna marked the end of the Ottoman Empire’s westward expansion—and, for one janissary, the beginning of a new life. Before the battle was lost, Balaban Ağa was sentenced to death in a brutal act of betrayal. He managed to escape but was gravely injured.
When Balaban regains consciousness, he finds himself in the remote village of Moena, high in the Italian Alps. The woman who nurses him back to health is just the first of many villagers to show him kindness. Before long, Balaban settles into his new home.
Nicknamed “El Turco,” he soon becomes the village’s protector, leading the locals in their fight against their oppressive feudal lord. But when a ruthless knight from his past, Marco, resurfaces, Balaban must assemble a team for the ultimate showdown. A witch turns healer, a homeless girl becomes the first female janissary, and a one-armed blacksmith rises as the village’s unexpected savior. Together, they fight for Moena’s freedom.
Who is in the cast of El Turco?
Boasting an international cast spanning nine countries, El Turco stars Can Yaman in the titular role alongside:
- Greta Ferro
- Will Kemp
- Sai Bennett
- Kieran O’Reilly
…and more!
Is there a trailer for El Turco?
Yes, indeed. Check out the trailer below!