Fatih Sultan Mehmed: Conqueror of a World
Mehmed Bir Cihan Fatihi is a Turkish historical drama series, produced by O3 Medya and starring Kenan İmirzalıoğlu in the title role.
Premiering in March 2018 on Kanal D, it follows the life of Mehmed II, the young Sultan who would conquer Constantinople in 1453, as well as that of his family and court. Set against the backdrop of a decaying Byzantine Empire and the expanding Ottoman Sultanate, the series features imperial power struggles, conflicted family dynamics, and palace intrigue in a broad retelling of a pivotal era in history.
Mehmed Bir Cihan Fatihi contains examples of:
- Arranged Marriage: par for the course, being a historical drama.
- Serbian princess Mara Branković was married to Mehmed's father Murad II to seal a political alliance. This marriage was chiefly symbolic, with no children born of the union. Having forged a bond with her stepson, Mara opted to remain at his court following Murad's death.
- Eleni, the daughter of Megas Doux Loukas Notaras, is set to marry Mehmed's brother Orhan for political reasons, and she is not happy about it.
- The Conqueror: Sultan Mehmed II, naturally.
- Decadent Court: Two of them. The Byzantines and the Ottomans both get one.
- Politically-Active Princess: Mara Branković is not only on friendly terms with her stepson Mehmed, but also serves as his political advisor, supporter, and confidant.
- Rising Empire: the series is set during the early expansionist phase of the Ottoman Empire.
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Spiritual Successor: to Magnificent Century. Although helmed by a different studio, director, and screenwriter, the production boasts a number of former Century figures, including composer Aytekin Ataş, headdress designer Mücella Mert, art director Nilüfer Çamur, and historical advisor Deniz Esemenli. - Vestigial Empire: the Byzantine Empire is but a shadow of its former glory by the time the series begins.
