PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON RUSSIAN EPIC TV SERIES JANISSARY WITH ILYA MALAKOV: A STORY OF HONOUR, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE SET IN THE LATE 17TH CENTURY

  JANISSARY EPIC SERIES  

TO LAUNCH TOMMOROW!

Janissary will start in Russia tomorrow

Now I cannot tell you if the plan is still on given the current situation over in dear old Matushka Rossiya, but according to official schedule new historical series JANISSARY ((Русский пленник or Янычар) should start on the First Channel of Russia's national broadcaster tomorrow, February 28th with the action set in the dark and blood thirsty Ottoman empire within lavish new 12 episodes! Beside our dearest Ilya Malakov (whom you remember from their historical movie Kolovrat or Furious) in the lead role, the cast also includes actors from Serbia, Georgia, Ethiopia, Latvia, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, thus making it a panslavic and international project with more than 150 actors involved in total. The shooting started back in the summer of 2019 so it was a very long production process. The story is set at the end of the15th and the beginning of the 16th century so beside the infamous Turkish sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (Serbian actor Ivan Bosiljcic), the series will also include Russian tzars Fedor Ivanovich (Vladimir Koshevoi) and Boris Godunov (Artur Ivanov). Samvel Tadevosian, controversial Serbian actress Milena Radulovic, Arina Zharkova, Richard Lepers also star. Ivan Shurhovetzkiy, who helmed Kolovrat, is also directing this one. A whole city was built in Turkey for the needs of the production and some of the mass scenes include more than 2000 people on screen. It it interesting that the sets were done by Tims Production which also did famous Magnificent Century, Turkey's most popular historical series ever. The series has already been sold to ex Yugoslav countries, Turkey, and some of the Middle East and North African countries.

THE STORY OF THE PRISONER 

 Alekha (Ilya Malakov) is an honest, strong, freedom loving Cossack from the end of the 16th century, who decided to fulfill his father's last will. As a result, he goes to a foreign land in order to bow to the Virgin Mary. By the will of fate, he finds himself in the palace of the Sultan Mehmed (Serbian star Ivan Bosiljcic) of the Ottoman Empire. Here the Russian is taken prisoner and sent to become one of the evil Jannisaries (sultan's elite squads made from the children and prisoners who are taken from the enslaved regions of the empire and then trained and forced to turn against their own families and people). In an instant, not only plans, but also the life of the protagonist goes downhill. The man tries to fight fate, but the circumstances are stronger. As a result, he becomes an Ottoman prisoner who must serve the hated sultan. Here Alekha will face many trials and hardships. But during the whole journey, he does not give up on the faith that one day he will return home - to his native land. In parallel, he finds the love of his life. But even here difficult tests await him. But for a real Cossack there are no barriers when he loves. He is ready to give his life for his beloved, because in a true Cossack, love for a woman is equated with love for the Motherland. Check out the trailer for the series below and tell us what you think:

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON NEW RUSSIAN EPIC TV SERIES THE PRISONER WITH ILYA MALAKOV AND IVAN BOSILJCIC SET AT THE COURT OF OTTOMAN SULTAN MEHMED THE CONQUEROR

  RUSSIAN PRISONER 

NEW RUSSIAN EPIC SAGA

The new series arrives sometime later this year

After the insane success of Turkish historical series The Magnificent Century on sultan Suleyman and his wife Hurem, which was feverishly adored in Arabic countries, the Balkans and Eastern Europe, Russia has been trying to create their own historical drama which would repeat similar success, but they weren't overly successful even though their own shows on Catherine the Great, Golden Horde and Boris Godunov had nice ratings. Now they've decided to set one of the new series directly in the dark Ottoman empire and we can expect a lavish new 12 episode

Ilya Malakov, right, plays the title role of the Russian prisoner

television series THE PRISONER (Русский пленник) to arrive to the small screens via Russia's national broadcaster sometime later this year. Beside our

Serbian actor Ivan Bosiljcic is sultan Mehmed

dearest Ilya Malakov (whom you remember from their historical movie Kolovrat or Furious) in the lead role, the cast also includes actors from Serbia

Maya Tzetzhladze is sultana Safiya in the new series

making it a panslavic project. The shooting started back in the summer of 2019 so it was a very long production process. The story is set at the end of the

Serbian actress Milena Radulovic is Zuleika in the series

15th and the beginning of the 16th century so beside the infamous Turkish sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (Serbian actor Ivan Bosiljcic), the series will

The series will have scenes set in the harem of the Turkish sultan

also include Russian tzars Fedor Ivanovich (Vladimir Koshevoi) and Boris Godunov (Artur Ivanov). Samvel Tadevosian, controversial Serbian

Vladimir Koshevoy is Russian tzar Fedor, son of Ivan the Terrible

actress Milena Radulovic, Arina Zharkova, Richard Lepers also star. Ivan Shurhovetzkiy, who helmed Kolovrat, is also directing this one. A whole city was built in Turkey for the needs of the production.

THE STORY OF THE PRISONER

Alekha (Ilya Malakov) is an honest, strong, freedom loving Cossack who decided to fulfill his father's last will. As a result, he goes to a foreign land in

The series was shot in Turkey and Russia in 2019

order to bow to the Virgin Mary. By the will of fate, he finds himself in the palace of the Sultan Mehmed (Serbian star Ivan Bosiljcic) of the Ottoman

Prisoners underwent a very harsh treatment to become Janissaries

Empire. Here the Russian is taken prisoner and sent to become one of the evil Jannisaries (sultan's elite squads made from the children and prisoners taken

Alekha will be trying to return to his love in Russia

from the enslaved regions of the empire). In an instant, not only plans, but also the life of the protagonist goes downhill. The man tries to fight fate, but

A whole historical city was built for the production of the series

the circumstances are stronger. As a result, he becomes an Ottoman prisoner who must serve the hated sultan. Here Alekha will face many trials and

It is expected that the series will be offered to the foreign markets as well

hardships. But during the whole journey, he does not give up on the feeling that one day he will return home - to his native land. In parallel, he finds the

Thousands of authentic costumes were made for the series

love of his life. But even here difficult tests await him. But for a real Cossack there are no barriers when he loves. He is ready to give his life for his beloved,

Jannisaries in the line in front of the grand vizier of the empire

because in a true Cossack, love for a woman is equated with love for the Motherland. Check out the annoucement clip below and tell us what you think:

FIRST CHARACTER PHOTOS ARE HERE FOR LAVISH NEW 15TH CENTURY EPIC TV SERIES 'MEHMED THE CONQUEROR' WITH KENAN IMIRZALIOGLU AND ISMAIL DEMIRCI!

  'MEHMED THE CONQUEROR' 

 EPIC TV SAGA CAST PHOTOS!

Lavish new saga starts next week in Turkey

I announced a few weeks ago that we are expecting a lavish new epic series from Turkey, and today we have first cast photos from MEHMED THE CONQUEROR (Mehmed Bir Cihan Fatihi) which starts airing on KanalD in Turkey March 20th! Kenan İmirzalıoğlu leads the cast playing the most infamous of all Ottoman sultans. Gürkan Uygun will star as Delibaş, Sedef Avcı as one of Mehmed's wives Sultana Gülbahar, Ertan Saban as Byzantine İmperator Konstantin, İsmail Demirci as Prince Orhan, İdil Fırat as Mehmed's Valide Sultana Serbian princess Despina Mara

The new saga will try to continue the worldwide success of Magnificent Century

I'm not 100% sure who is playing who, as they're changing the info to entice the audience over in Turkey. Stay tuned as I will updating this spotlight with

Idil Firat plays powerful Serbian princess Despina Mara, Mehmed's valide sultana

new character photos as they keep arriving from Istanbul in the following days and weeks!

THE STORY OF MEHMED 
In 1451, as Mehmed  receives the news of his father's death and goes from Manisa to imperial capital Edirne, a dream appears in his head: as the new

Kenan Imirzalioglu plays the title role of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror

sultan he will conquer the apple of the whole world's eye - the city of Constantinople. But achieving such a big dream cannot be easy, and big

Popular Turkish actor Ismail Demirci plays Mehmed's brother Prince Orhan

obstacles will emerge. The magnificent Byzantine city has been besieged many times over the centuries; but no siege weapons were able to open a

Sedef Avci will play one of Mehmed's wives Sultana Gulbahar

single breach in their strong walls, nor did the Golden Horn give way to the enormous chain of enemy ships. Moreover, if Mehmed wants to get the city for

himself, he has to fight not only against the Byzantine Empire and the Christian world behind him, but also against the greatest opposition in the

state, mighty Halil Pasha. Two years after his ascension to the throne, after a two months long siege, Mehmed carries out his biggest dream and conquers Constantinople and finally earns name MEHMED THE CONQUEROR which will make him famous throughout the history.

LAVISH 1ST PHOTOS AND TEASER FOR NEW EPIC TV SAGA 'MEHMED THE CONQUEROR OF THE WORLD' WITH KENAN IMIRZALIOGLU AS SULTAN MEHMED II!

  MEHMED THE CONQUEROR

1ST PHOTOS AND TRAILER  FROM NEW EPIC TV SERIES

Kenan Imirzalioglu plays the title role!

Two years after the spectacular Magnificent Century epic series ended with its Kosem Sultana spin-off, we are finally getting another lavish historical saga from Turkey! First teaser and first photos were released last week for MEHMED: CONQUEROR OF THE WORLD (Mehmed bir cihan fatihi) which will see Turkish superstar Kenan İmirzalıoğlu playing the famous Ottoman sultan who invaded Constantinople and brought Turks onto European ground back in the 15th century!

Mehmed was a ruthless warrior

DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON
Known for his bloody conquest of Constantinople (today's Istanbul) when he was only 21 back in 1453, Sultan Mehmed is both the most famous and the most infamous of all Turkish rulers who ended Eastern Roman Empire with his invasion. He was known for extreme cruelty and even his stepmother Serbian princess Mara, known also as Despina Mara, who not only raised him after his mother died at the court of his father Sultan Murad, but also secured his way to the throne and then became his official Valida Sultana (Mother Sultana), could not handle his impulsive nature and outbursts of cruelty. He did not stop at Istanbul, and during 30 years of rule he spread the territory of Ottoman Empire all over Anadolia and also in Europe as far as Bosnia and Serbia. He also strengthened Ottoman navy which he used to end up the two month long siege of Constantinople by transporting 80 of his war ships overland in order to surround the city both by sea and land. After he took over Constantinople he also conquered Despotate of Morea, the Empire of Trebizond and Serbia which he thought he had a claim on through his stepmother Despina Mara. He also conquered most of the Black Sea coast and Wallachia (although Vlad Dracula gave him tons of trouble there LOL). He also led war against Venice. According to most historical evidence he was bisexual and very aggressive and cruel to his lovers, both male and female ones. He even allegedly raped the little 14 year old son of the Constantinople general in front of him before beheading the whole family. One of the Wallachian princes was his lover too.

THE REST OF THE CAST

The series, which is expected to start airing sometime this year (I've heard possibly this March) on Turkish Kanal D will also have a cast consisting of Selin Demiratar as his consort Sultana Hatice although I hear she's been replaced in the meantime by Büşra Develi Mehmed so I guess we shall have to wait and see, Seda Bakan as another of his wives Sultana Chichek, Ertan Saban as Byzantine emperor Constantine and others.

'MAGNIFICENT CENTURY: KOSEM' SULTANA EPIC TV SERIES SECOND SEASON TEASERS AND POSTERS! 'FULLER HOUSE' SITCOM 2ND SEASON POSTER AND DATE REVEALED

'FULLER HOUSE' 2ND 

SEASON POSTER AND DATE

TV news today, people, starting with the first poster for the second season of Netflix's popular sitcom FULLER HOUSE which successfully brought back the now grown up stars of Full House classic comedy series to the small screens earlier this year in a family friendly, warm half hour sitcom.

The second season has been announced for December 9th release and it is going to be holiday themed with episodes covering Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and more. With grown up DJ (Candace Cameron Bure), now a mother of three kids, having to decide between two gorgeous men who both want her, the second season will also bring back her old school boyfriend Nelson, the introduction of Joey’s wife and children, the arrival of a freakish D.J. clone and a special appearance from New Kids on the Block.

'MAGNIFICENT CENTURY: KOSEM'

2ND SEASON TEASERS & POSTERS

An exotic delight for you today as well: Turkish Tims Productions has released today the first teasers and posters for the second season of the popular historical saga MAGNIFICENT CENTURY: KOSEM about one of Turkey's most famous sultanas from the famous period called 'the sultanate of women'.

ERA OF SULTAN MURAD IV
New teasers give us the first looks at now grown up sultan Murad IV, now played by Turkish heartthrob Metin Akgülder, the 17th Padishah of the Ottoman Empire while addressing his subjects for the first time, and also the first look of gorgeous Nurgül Yeşilçay as his mother sultana KOSEM ! As you remember if you watched the first season (it airs in all Arabic countries, large part of Europe and Southern America), the first season ended with sultana KOSEM finally defeating all of her enemies and enthroning her eldest living son Murad to the Ottoman throne, inheriting the position of Valide Sultan, declaring herself the official regent to the crown. As the first teaser says the new season will mark the era of Murad IV which was known for brutality and absolutism.

FULL CAST SWITCH!

Since the first season ended with all enemies killed or destroyed, and with all of Kosem's children now grown up, the second season of KOSEM will be the most unprecedented one, possibly in worldwide sense too, because it will have an entirely new cast not just with new actors playing princes and princesses (Doğaç Yıldız as prince Kasim, Batuhan Karacakaya as prince Ibrahim, Leyla Feray as sultana Ayshe and Farah Zeynep as another Ayshe sultana - Murad's consort) but also with Nurgül Yeşilçay taking over the role of KOSEM from Beren Saat whose rather sad lack of charisma and acting chops have left the audience requesting a replacement in the lead role. Thus, Nurgul will take over the role of KOSEM who gained her prestige as the most formidable, influential, and powerful sultana in Ottoman history.