Moments of the seriesAll seasons online
The love story of Hurrem and Sultan Suleiman 10 years ago won the hearts of viewers all over the world. Many hoped for a continuation, and now the creators presented a new project - the series “Magnificent Century. Kösem Empire" (“Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem”).
However, interesting things happen not only on the screen, but also off it. Now you will find out what happened behind the scenes of the series, how the actors had fun between takes and what funny situations they found themselves in.
Actors about the moments of filming the series Empire of Kösem
The Sultana was played by 4 actresses at once. If the “aged” Kosem was found quickly, the search for the young one, when she was still Anastasia, dragged on. As a result, she was found in Greece, where the real sultana was from, and what’s surprising is that she has the same name!
For actress Anastasia Tsilimpou, this work became her debut. She recalls with a laugh the preparation for filming, because she not only had to get used to the role, but also learn Turkish. She still doesn't understand how she was able to do this.
Ekin Koç, who played Sultan Ahmed I, was inspired by the role. He tried to convey as accurately as possible the experiences and fears of the young padishah.
The series featured many children who played the sons and daughters of the Sultan. They noted that it was as if they were in the fairy tale “1000 and 1 night.”
If “The Magnificent Century” were filmed in Russia: the best casting
Which Russian actors could star in the historical saga “The Magnificent Century”
In the Turkish series, of course, everything is already wonderful: the cast, the locations, the rich, bright costumes. This project initially had every chance to become a real breakthrough in Turkey. And so it happened. This historical series became known all over the world; it still has many fans, although the last episode was released in 2014.
The serial drama is based on real events and tells about the reign of the Sultanate of Suleiman I, his defeats, victories, betrayals and even love affairs. It was he who was not afraid and married his concubine Alexandra, who, for the sake of her beloved, exchanged Christianity for Islam and took the name Khyurrem. The cunning and wise woman had to go through a difficult journey to tame the ruler and make him a hostage of her heart.
We decided to see which actors from Russia could play in this wonderful series. They all went through a long and difficult casting. And this is what happened:
Sultan Suleiman - Sergei Bezrukov
Photo: stills from films
The most key and important thing in “The Magnificent Century” was played by the famous Turkish actor Halit Ergench. The Ottoman ruler was disciplined, cruel and domineering only with his subordinates. At heart he was a loving man who feared more for his family than for his own life.
In the Russian version, the no less popular artist Sergei Bezrukov could play him. He has already transformed himself into historical characters more than once - Yesenin, Pushkin, Boris Godunov and even Vysotsky. He would perfectly play the imperious, tough ruler of the Ottoman Empire - Sultan Suleiman I the Magnificent.
Khyurrem Sultan - Svetlana Khodchenkova
Photo: stills from films
Fiery in character and appearance, Hurrem, the wife of Suleiman I, was very subtly felt by the German-Turkish actress Meryem Uzerli. It was from this project that her fame began. However, due to family reasons, she was unable to work until the end of the series and left midway through the filming process.
We believe that in the Russian version, Svetlana Khodchenkova could play the wise, cunning and rebellious Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska.
Makhidevran Sultan - Ekaterina Klimova
Photo: stills from films
Concubine Mahidevran Sultan fought to the end for Suleiman’s heart, hoping that she would become the ruler’s wife. But when he married Hurrem, all her dreams collapsed. Neither the birth of an heir nor the elimination of her rival helped her become the Sultan’s beloved woman. In the Turkish version, this role was entrusted to the famous actress Nur Fettahoglu.
In the Russian version, the mentally wounded, jealous and unhappy Makhidevran Sultan could be played by the famous actress Ekaterina Klimova.
Aishe Hafsa Sultan - Tatyana Lyutaeva
Photo: stills from films
The mother of Sultan Suleiman, Aishe Hafsa Sultan, or as she was also called Valide Sultan, was played by the famous Turkish artist Nebahat Chehre . Only a strong, intelligent, wise and experienced woman could raise the ruler of the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Suleiman adored his mother and took into account her opinion. However, since she could not fall in love with Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska, a cold relationship remained between them. Valide Sultan never believed in the concubine’s love for her son. Until her death, she hoped that the heir would come to his senses and choose another, worthy woman as a companion.
In the Russian version, this role could easily be entrusted to the famous actress Tatyana Lyutaeva. The actress has more than once played controversial heroines who had a strong and capricious character.
Hatice Sultan - Ekaterina Guseva
Photo: stills from films
Actress Selma Ergench played the sister of the Ottoman ruler, Hatice Sultan, in “The Magnificent Century”. Her fate was tragic and unhappy. She could not get married for a long time, and then, as it seemed to her, she found her happiness in the person of Ibrahim Pasha, Suleiman’s friend and grand vizier. But the cloudless joy did not last long. Hatice could not get pregnant and then carry a child. Therefore, blow after blow made her a capricious, weak and insecure woman. Soon, her husband began to cheat on her, which further undermined the health of Suleiman’s sister. As a result, she was able to give Ibrahim two daughters. But he will soon be executed... Hatice will remain a widow forever.
Ekaterina Guseva could play the unfortunate heroine.
Ibrahim Pasha - Konstantin Khabensky
Photo: stills from films
One of the most prominent figures during the reign of Sultan Suleiman I. He was the vizier and best friend of the ruler of the Ottoman Empire. Later he became the husband of Hatice Sultan, Suleiman's sister. This further strengthened the relationship between them, but the Sultan’s wife, Hurrem, gets in the way of their friendly and family ties. Ibrahim Pasha loses the trust of his friend and soon becomes a real enemy. He was confident that the ruler of the Ottoman Empire would not execute him. However, the vizier was mistaken. Okan Yalabik in The Magnificent Century .
In the Russian version, such a striking figure could be performed by the famous actor Konstantin Khabensky. The artist played quite typical historical characters - Leon Trotsky, Pyotr Leshchenko, Yuri Levitan.
Mihrimah Sultan - Marina Alexandrova
Photo: stills from films
In The Magnificent Century, Mihrimah Sultan was played by Turkish actress Pelin Karahan . She managed to convey the complex character of the daughter of the Ottoman ruler.
In the Russian version, such a heroine could be played by the famous actress Marina Alexandrova. She has already brilliantly performed the role of a bright historical figure - Empress Catherine II.
Sehzade Selim - Andrey Burkovsky
Photo: stills from films
Shehzade Selim is the son of Hurrem and Suleiman I, the eleventh Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He grew up in a large family and was always surrounded by his sister and brothers. He inherited a tough character from his father, and a bright appearance from his mother. Selim believed that everything in the world belonged only to him, so he behaved selfishly and cruelly. Due to the fact that all the older brothers died before Suleiman I, he became the eleventh ruler of the Ottoman Empire. True, he did not rule for long, only 8 years, and died at 50.
Andrei Burkovsky could play Selim. This Russian actor copes well with roles of any level.
Shehzade Mustafa - Danila Kozlovsky
Photo: stills from films
Unfortunately, Mustafa’s fate did not turn out as desired. He was the son of Suleiman I and his concubine Mahidevran and was aiming for the place of the Ottoman ruler. In the series, Mustafa was played by Turkish actor Mehmet Günsür .
In the Russian version of the serial drama, such a character could be portrayed by actor Danila Kozlovsky. Consider his Prince Vladimir, whom he played in the film “Viking” (2016)!
Shehzade Bayazid - Pavel Priluchny
Photo: stills from films
Bayazid was another son of Hurrem and Suleiman. Brave, hardworking, friendly, Shehzade was somewhat similar to his brother Mustafa. But Bayezid had a negative side - these were bright outbursts of anger. Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska could somehow pacify the ardor of her son, but after her death no one had such power over him, not even his father. A real war began between Bayazid and Selim. The role was played by Turkish actor Aras Bulut İynemli .
In the Russian version, Pavel Priluchny could become Bayezid.
Funny moments of the Magnificent Century behind the scenes
The more important and serious the role, the more often you want to have fun and be yourself in the company of friends and colleagues. And, of course, take pictures and take a selfie as a souvenir.
In these images, the heroes we are used to and love appear in a completely different image. Here the suspicious and gloomy Kösem Sultan smiles, surrounded by “influential statesmen.”
Shehzade and Pasha stood behind each other in identical outfits and took an interesting photo. The concubines, who fight with each other in the series, pose cheerfully for the camera in real life. Sultan Ahmed appears in an unusual “non-Sultan” image. The environment on set was friendly and fun.
Costumes and jewelry of the Magnificent Century
A real oriental atmosphere reigned in the pavilion where the filming took place. The best costume designers and production designers contributed to the series to convey the spirit of the Ottoman Empire of the 17th century.
The scale of their work is truly amazing. They thought through every detail: from household utensils to amazing jewelry and dresses of the sultanas, which are trimmed with jewelry. And what about the artificially recreated decoration of the Topkapi Palace!
To convey everything with authentic accuracy, the artists visited all the museums and even visited the owners of private collections. Their efforts paid off. Even after the release of “The Magnificent Century,” fans of the series began to massively buy jewelry like the Sultan’s favorites.
“Empire Kösem” only further promoted this fashion trend. Moreover, Kösem Sultan herself was very fond of precious jewelry and treasured it.
The wardrobe of the main characters is especially admirable. The creators of the television series spared neither effort nor money to create luxurious dresses for concubines and sultanas. True, historians criticized the outfits, since they were made more in a Western style than in an Eastern one. However, there is no denying that the dresses turned out absolutely stunning.
"Magnificent Century" and Attack of the Clones
Another guilty pleasure of our time among post-Soviet ladies is Turkish TV series, which have replaced Mexican and Brazilian ones.
Personally, for a long time I only watched The Magnificent Century and a little BB: Kesem. And I really love them for the costumes, like other historical and pseudo-historical works. After all, what could be more beautiful than chic dresses on chic Turkish girls!!! I just love watching all sorts of GIFs with them. The new pseudo-historical “masterpiece” Sultan of My Heart, a joint work of Russian and Turkish creators, was recently closed. There are even several Russian actors, including the main character. The series was very popular with domestic audiences, but it didn’t appeal to Turkish women (they are spoiled!).
The main disadvantage of the Sultan of My Heart is that it looks like a very cheap version of BB, of which there are so many now.
Let's compare the general features of the Magnificent Century, Qesem and the Sultan of my heart:
Sultan, with whom the heroine immediately falls in love - 1 piece.
Love is such a complicated thing, and it’s not at all scary that you were brought into the harem as a cheap commodity or that he has 150 other wives.
A very evil ex, she is also the mother of the eldest shehzade-1 thing.
Magnificent Century - Makhidevran
Qesem - Mahrifuz
Sultan of my heart - Hoshyar
A kind ex who has already accepted her fate - 1 piece.
Gulfem
Gulbahar is the mother of Sehzade Bayezid in Kesem.
Sultan of my heart, “mother of my daughter”, everything is like Meladze)))
A cunning daughter with a lot of ambition - 1 piece.
Mihrimah
Saliha to Sultan of my heart
Russian young lady who will conquer the Sultan at first sight and forever - 1 piece.
Using your secret methods
The series changed, but the methods remained the same......
and this one too......
Anna is the teacher of the Sultan's children.
Well then there was a mistake, this is not a parody of BB, but of...
The Sultan's very evil sister - several pieces.
Shah
Fatma
But you can also have an evil aunt, like in Kesem.
Humashah is the Sultan's aunt.
Dilruba is a half-sister.
Esma Sultan in Sultan of my heart. Only in this case, the screenwriters from the new “Charmed” also worked on her in secret, since this lady dreams of sitting on the throne.
Eternally suffering sister - 1 piece.
Hatice
Fakhrie
Friend, he is also a faithful servant, he is also the forbidden love interest of the Sultan’s sister (aunt) - 1 piece.
Ibrahim
Zulfiqar to Qesem
Sultan of my heart, I don’t know his name
And actors from BB appear in similar series.
Gulfem plays the Sultan's sister in another clone about court intrigue - Abdulahmid's Right to the Throne.
And Makhidevran plays an Abkhaz princess in the episode.
And Khoshyar from the list above also played for the Sultan, but only in Kesem.
Maleksima Haseki Sultan Osman.
And this girl played concubines in both Magnificent Centuries
Soon we will also be able to see the main mustachioed sex symbol in the role of Sultan Osman, the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
Unsuccessful takes behind the scenes - laughter guaranteed
Unsuccessful takes can defuse the situation even in such a series saturated with intrigue and tension as “The Magnificent Century. Empire of Kösem." These shots were never included.
For example, actress Beren Saat, who embodied the image of the sultana in her youth, had a difficult time. She was stuffed into a bag and thrown into a pool 5 meters deep. Beren admits that this is an incomparable feeling.
There were many funny incidents when actresses kept tripping over the hems of long dresses or having their jewelry fall off. Ekin Koch could not properly draw the Persian bow and shoot from it.
Kadir Dogulu, who played Mehmed Giray, learned to ride a horse and often forgot his text at important moments.
