The Great Seljuks (2020)
A sweeping Turkish historical epic pitting the mighty Seljuk Empire against the deadly shadow network of Hasan Sabbah.
The Great Seljuks - Series Information
- Original Title: Uyanış: Büyük Selçuklu
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Sedat İnci
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure, War, Politics
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (120 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 34
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Turkish
- Spoken Languages: Turkish
- Networks: TRT 1
- Alternative Titles: نهضة السلاجقة العظمى (MA), Пробуждение: Великие Сельджуки (RU), The Great Seljuk Renaissance (TR)
- Production Companies: Akli Film
- Production Countries: Turkey
The Great Seljuks - Plot
The war of the Great Seljuk Emperor, Meliksah and her loyalist, Sencer against Hasan Sabbah, who is sworn to destroy the Seljuks.
The Great Seljuks - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the epic conflict of empire unfold:
Where to Watch The Great Seljuks
Looking for where to watch The Great Seljuks?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Great Seljuks - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sedat İnci
Main Cast
- Buğra Gülsoy
- Ekin Koç
- Hatice Şendil
- Gürkan Uygun
- Mehmet Özgür
- Sevda Erginci
- Bülent Alkış
- İlker Kızmaz
- Ali Gözüşirin
- Leyla Feray
Writers
- Emre Konuk
The Great Seljuks - FAQs
Is The Great Seljuks based on a true story?
The series is rooted in real history. Sultan Melikşah was a genuine 11th-century Seljuk ruler, and Hasan Sabbah was the actual founder of the Assassins, a secretive order that terrorized the medieval Islamic world. While the drama takes creative liberties, its core conflict reflects documented historical tensions of the era.
Who plays Sultan Melikşah in The Great Seljuks?
Buğra Gülsoy portrays Sultan Melikşah, the powerful Seljuk emperor at the heart of the story. Ekin Koç plays Ahmed Sencer, the sultan's loyal warrior, while Gürkan Uygun takes on the role of the menacing Hasan Sabbah, the series' primary antagonist.
Who is Hasan Sabbah in The Great Seljuks?
Hasan Sabbah is the series' central villain, portrayed with chilling intensity by Gürkan Uygun. Historically, he was the founder of the Nizari Ismaili state and the legendary Order of Assassins, operating from the mountain fortress of Alamut. His campaign to destabilize the Seljuk Empire drives the entire narrative.
Where can you watch The Great Seljuks online?
The Great Seljuks originally aired on TRT 1 in Turkey. For international viewers, availability varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most current streaming and viewing options in your country, as platform availability for Turkish historical dramas shifts frequently.
How many episodes does The Great Seljuks have?
The series ran for a single season of 34 episodes, airing from 2020 to 2021 on TRT 1. Each episode runs approximately 120 minutes, making them feature-length installments — a format common in Turkish epic dramas that allows for rich storytelling and elaborate battle sequences.
Is The Great Seljuks similar to Resurrection: Ertugrul?
Very much so. Both are sweeping Turkish historical epics produced by TRT 1, blending political intrigue, battlefield action, and Islamic heritage. Fans of Resurrection: Ertugrul will find familiar territory here — grand production values, complex court dynamics, and a heroic struggle to defend a great empire against formidable enemies.
What historical period does The Great Seljuks cover?
The show is set in the late 11th century during the height of the Seljuk Empire's power, roughly the 1070s–1090s. This was a pivotal era in Islamic and world history, coinciding with the First Crusade and the rise of the Assassin order — making it fertile ground for dramatic storytelling.
What are some shows similar to The Great Seljuks?
If you enjoyed The Great Seljuks, strong recommendations include Resurrection: Ertugrul, Payitaht: Abdulhamid, and Magnificent Century for Turkish historical drama. For broader medieval epics, The Last Kingdom and Vikings offer comparable themes of empire, loyalty, and warfare in richly realized historical settings.
More About The Great Seljuks
Explore further details about The Great Seljuks on these authoritative sources.