Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi (English: Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem) is a Turkish television series produced by Turkey's Akli Films and Pakistan’s Ansari and Shah Films.[7][8] The series is based on the life of Saladin, the founder of Ayyubid dynasty. The television series started production in summer 2022.[9][4] The producers asserted that the main target of the series are non-Muslims who are unaware of the Muslim history.[10] The series is being written by numerous Turkish historians and assisted by Pakistani historians and research writers.[5]
Plot
The television series focuses on the life of 12th century Muslim ruler Saladin and how he conquered Jerusalem[11] Furthermore, it focuses on his struggles and battles against the Crusaders and his goal to unite the Muslim territories of Syria, northern Mesopotamia, Palestine and Egypt under his rule.[12]
In the show, Saladin is depicted as the adopted son of Nur al-Din Zengi who doesn't know that he is adopted and doesn't know his real parents.
Cast
Selahaddin Eyyubi
Cast
Ugur Gunes[2] as Salahuddin, based from Saladin, also known as Selahaddin Yusuf bin Eyyub bin Selahaddin. was the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Hailing from a Kurdish family, he was the first sultan of both Egypt and Syria. An important figure of the Third Crusade, he spearheaded the Muslim military effort against the Crusader states in the Levant. At the height of his power, the Ayyubid realm spanned Egypt, Syria, Upper Mesopotamia, the Hejaz, Yemen, and Nubia.
Mehmet Ali Nuroğlu as Sultan Nureddin Zengi, based from Nur al-Din Zengi, was a Turkoman member of the Zengid dynasty, who ruled the Syrian province (Shām) of the Seljuk Empire. He reigned from 1146 to 1174. He is regarded as an important figure of the Second Crusade, adoptive father and superior of Salahuddin.
Kaan Çakır as Nussreddin Zengi, brother of Nur ad-Din Zengi and Mewdud Zengi. Father of Izzetin (deceased), husband of Berra Hatun (deceased)
Dilin Döğer as Süreyya Khatun, from the Askaloni royal family in the series. She will play a key role in defending the Muslim lands along with the Zangi forces. She was Selahuddin's love interest but was killed by an arrow from Halifa of Fatimid dynasty.(deceased)
Özgür Cem Tugluk as Pars, one of assistants of Salahuddin. Gregor killed him.(deceased)
Firat Çelik as Gregor, a fictional character and brother of Gabriel, who was Queen Victoria's fiance/ love interest.(deceased)
Murat Han as Gabriel, brother of Gregor. He defeated the Askalanis and took over the city. Queen Victoria's love interest. Killed by Salahuddin when he recaptured Askalon.
Berk Cankat as Bernard, the brother of Elisa (Alisa), who briefly took overDamascus (tur.Şam), until and then ruled over Gaza (tur.Gazze) until Salahuddin killed him when he takes over the city.
Kartal Can Ermis as Demircan, one of Salahuddin's warriors. Since Avram murder him.(deceased)
Baki Davrak as Avram, the fictional character who wants to establish the Sultanate for the Jews. Judaism. Killed by Salahuddin when he retrieves Damascus.
Abdul Susler as Pierre, who was assistant with King Baldwin and later Queen Victoria's. Murdered by Queen Victoria's brother, Amalric when he took over the Jerusalem as the King
Fatih Yilmaz as Şimon, the assistant of Avram.(deceased)
Izzet Yüksek as Izzetin, son of Nussreddin Zengi and Berra Hatun. (deceased)
Burcu Kirman as Elisa, sister of Bernard. InJerusalem Queen Victoria killed by slicing her neck.
Anil Özdemirci as Musab, one of helper with Salahuddin. Gregor's soldier's murdered him.(deceased)
Burak Sarimola as Shehinshah, the oldest son of Ayyub ibn Shadi and eldest brother of Selahaddin. Died when Gabriel's soldiers were taking over Askalon.
Kaan Uluca as King Baldwin of Jerusalem. Queen Victoria poisoned him and took over the throne of Jerusalem.
Sezgin Uzunbekiroglu as Esma, auntie of Surreyya Hatun, sister of Mansur, who murdered by one of Bernard's soldiers until Bernard getting Damascus.(deceased)
Yildirim Gücük as Mansur, brother of Esma, father of Surreyya Hatun. Killed by Gabriel.(deceased)
Ece Özdikici as Berra Hatun, wife of Necmeddin and mother of Izzetin(deceased)
Salahuddin captured Mevdud and managed to confront Bernard as a result of a trap he set. With an unexpected move, Bernard manages to escape from Saladin’s grasp. Saladin goes to Dolat and Sultan Nureddin without Bernard. His aim is to try to stop Dolat by making Mevdud talk.[15]
25
"25. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
Unknown
13 May 2024 (2024-05-13)
Bernard, who lost Gaza, is sentenced to death by the Papacy. But he somehow saves himself and puts his new plans into action. Queen Victoria, on the other hand, thinks that after the Zengis’ conquest of Gaza, it may be Al-Quds’ turn and takes action to make a peace treaty with the Zengis, but Bernard prevents the agreement that Victoria is about to make.[16]
26
"26. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
Unknown
20 May 2024 (2024-05-20)
Selahaddin takes revenge on Süreyya by killing Mülhem, but due to Temur’s unexpected move, he loses the beys. While Temur thinks he will save the beys, Bernard appears before them and captures them again.[17]
27
"27. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
Unknown
3 June 2024 (2024-06-03)
28
"28. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
Unknown
10 June 2024 (2024-06-10)
Victoria's brother reaches Kudus and kills Pierre and Victoria. Sultan Nureddin receives a personal letter upon reading it, he then orders Shirkuh to take his army to Egypt. The episode ends with a faint Selahaddin lying at the bottom of a well.
Season 2 (2024–present)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date
29
"29. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
Isa Yildiz
21 October 2024 (2024-10-21)
When Selahaddin has saved, until he will move on Cairo, Karategin announcing his leaving.
30
"30. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
28 October 2024 (2024-10-28)
31
"31. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
4 November 2024 (2024-11-04)
32
"32. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
11 November 2024 (2024-11-11)
33
"33. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
18 November 2024 (2024-11-18)
34
"34. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
25 November 2024 (2024-11-25)
35
"35. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
2 December 2024 (2024-12-02)
36
"36. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
9 December 2024 (2024-12-09)
37
"37. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
16 December 2024 (2024-12-16)
38
"38. Bölüm"
Sedat Inci
unknown
23 December 2024 (2024-12-23)
Production
Development
"This series is not only for Muslims or Pakistan and Turkish population but also to show the world that there was a Muslim ruler whose opponents also appreciated his courage, justice, bravery and equality."
—Kashif Ansari, one of the producers
On 20 August 2021, the agreement between Emre Konuk, owner of Akli Film Production and Pakistan's Ansari & Shah Films producers Dr. Kashif Ansari and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, on the production of this new series titled Selahaddin Eyyubi was signed in Belgrade.[11][18] Emre tweeted:
A happy news on a blessed Friday night! Contract signed between Akli Films and Ansari&Shah Films about ‘Sultan Selahaddin Ayyubi’. May this international project, which will be prepared with the cooperation of Turkey and Pakistan, be beneficial to our country and our art world.[7]
On 18 October 2021, the delegation from Turkey landed in Islamabad International Airport to begin auditions for the drama series in Lahore and Karachi.[19]
The delegation visited Faisal Mosque and met with the prime minister to officially announce the Pak-Turk collaboration. They also met with various other government dignitaries. The auditions in Lahore and Karachi took place at Nishat Hotel and DHA respectively. The judges were Berna Kürekci and Ahmet Faruk.
Shooting began on 2 September 2023.
Casting
The series will feature actors from both Turkey and Pakistan. 75% of the show cast will be Turkish including Selahaddin and the rest of 25% cast will be from Pakistan.[3] In this regard, Turkey's Akli Film Production announced to scout for talent in Pakistan from October 28 to November 1 of 2021 in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.[20][9] The series received 10,000 applications in Pakistan from people who wish to have a part in it. Out of more than 6,000 candidates, a total of 60 Pakistani artists got golden tickets in auditions, out of which 18 are from Lahore and 42 from Karachi.
Filming
The TV series is being shot in Turkey and is planned to have three seasons. Each season will have 34 episodes as revealed by Adnan Siddiqui.[10][21] Production began on January 29, 2022, as producer, Emre Konuk posted an image with the caption, "Selahaddin Eyyubi yakında!" (English: Selahaddin Eyyubi soon) on his Instagram.[22] Almost 240 acres of land is procured in Istanbul where replicas of Makkah, Jerusalem, Tikrit and various cities of Syria and Egypt will be constructed. The cities constructed were supposed to be inaugurated in Turkey between 15 and 20 March 2022, with Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan as special guests, but that was cancelled, due to a No-confidence motion against Imran Khan, which resulted in his removal from office.
Writing
"The series focuses on the Quran, history and religious harmony. How the Quran can be used effectively to govern empires that are embraced by people of all religions."
Selahaddin Eyyubi will use sixteen writers over its three seasons. The historical series is being written by Turkish historians with the assistance of Pakistan's paleographers and research writers.[10] Kashif Ansari imparted that screenwriters for the series have enlisted the help of Turkish historians, researchers and authors to make it as close to reality as possible. The initial work on the series was completed in September, after that, screen testing began once the casting was done.[4]
Release
Turkey
Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi premiered in Turkey on 13 November 2023 on TRT 1.
