Rise of Empires: Ottoman is a Turkish historical docudrama, starring Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and Tommaso Basili. Its first season, which consists of 6 episodes, is directed by Emre Şahin and written by Kelly McPherson. The series became available for streaming on Netflix on 24 January 2020. It deals with the Ottoman Empire and Mehmed the Conqueror and tells the story of the Fall of Constantinople.
Premise
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.
Cast
- Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu as Mehmed the Conqueror
- Tommaso Basili as Constantine XI Palaiologos
- Tuba Büyüküstün as Mara Branković
- Damla Sönmez as Ana
- Osman Sonant as Loukas Notaras
- Tolga Tekin as Murad II
- Ushan Çakır as Zaganos Pasha
- Selim Bayraktar as Çandarlı Halil Pasha
- Birkan Sokullu as Giovanni Giustiniani
- Tansu Biçer as Orban
- Nail Kırmızıgül as Hızır Çelebi
- Eva Dedova as Katarina
- Tuğrul Tülek as George Sphrantzes
- İlayda Akdoğan as Therma Sphrantzes
- Erdal Yıldız as Suleiman Baltoghlu
- Baki Davrak as Đurađ Branković
- Ryan OL as Genovese Nobleman
- Roger Crowley, historian
- Lars Brownworth, historian
- Jason Goodwin, historian
- Marios Philippedes, historian
- Michael Talbot, historian
- Emrah Safa Gürkan, historian
- Celâl Şengör, geologist
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “The New Sultan” | Emre Şahin | Liz Lake, Kelly McPherson, Emre Şahin | 24 January 2020 | |
| After claiming the Ottoman throne, Mehmed II sends an unmistakable signal to Byzantine emperor Constantine XI. Enter Genoese mercenaries. | |||||
| 2 | “Through the Walls” | Emre Şahin | Kelly McPherson, Emre Şahin, Liz Lake | 24 January 2020 | |
| Mehmed launches an ambitious siege to break through the walls of Constantinople, but Giustiniani’s mercenaries manage to forestall the Janissaries. | |||||
| 3 | “Into the Golden Horn” | Emre Şahin | Emre Şahin, Liz Lake, Kelly McPherson | 24 January 2020 | |
| Mehmed’s men dig underground tunnels in an attempt to shatter city walls. The tides turn against the Ottomans when a naval blockade founders. | |||||
| 4 | “Loose Lips Sink Ships” | Emre Şahin | Liz Lake, Kelly McPherson, Emre Şahin | 24 January 2020 | |
| Mehmed moves his ships overland to the Golden Horn in a daring, visionary feat. In the shadow of betrayal, Giustiniani attacks the Ottoman fleet. | |||||
| 5 | “Ancient Prophecies” | Emre Şahin | Kelly McPherson, Emre Şahin, Liz Lake | 24 January 2020 | |
| Amid a spiral of brutality and low morale, Mehmed makes Giustiniani an enticing offer. The grand vizier urges Mehmed to seek a truce with his rival. | |||||
| 6 | “Ashes to Ashes” | Emre Şahin | Emre Şahin, Liz Lake, Kelly McPherson | 24 January 2020 | |
| Ottoman cannons reduce the city walls to rubble, and Venetian reinforcements arrive too late. Mehmed ushers in a new era for the Ottoman Empire. | |||||