Can Yaman is one of Turkey's most notorious talents. The actor has spent three years away from the spotlight and is returning to the small screen this March 21st. Yaman is making his acting comeback in one of the biggest shows of his career, "El Turco," a six-episode series exploring the life of a legendary historical figure.
"El Turco" is a wholly international production, featuring actors from nine countries and premiering on streaming sites that include Romania, Russia, and Brazil.
The series follows Yaman as the 17th-century Ottoman soldier Hasan Balaban, who was wounded and stranded in the Italian Alpine village of Moena during Turkey's campaign to conquer Vienna in 1683. His stay in the village earned him the nickname "El Turco," resulting in his rise as a local hero.
The role is an important one for Yaman, making him the first protagonist of a Turkish series that's recorded in the English language. In an interview with Variety, Yaman shared his excitement for the role, revealing that it united various facets of his personal history.
“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,” said Yaman.
“When you get to see that, you are so impressed. The fact that it all happened in Italy, where I’ve lived, and that there was this hero from the Ottoman Empire … When I first read the script, I got really excited."
More details 'El Turco'
"El Turco" follows the titular character's journey in the village of Moena, uniting him with a cast of unusual characters that includes a witch working as a healer, a young orphan, and a metalsmith who becomes a local hero.
From the trailers and the stills that have been released, the series has a focus on history, action, and romance, with one of the main storylines led by Yaman and the character played by Greta Ferro.
"El Turco" will be available to stream in different parts of the world starting today, March 21st. A premiere date for the US has yet to be announced.