# Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi

Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi (English: Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem) is a Turkish television series produced by Turkey's Akli Films and Pakistan’s Ansari and Shah Films. The series is based on the life of Saladin, the founder of Ayyubid dynasty. The television series started production in summer 2022. The producers asserted that the main target of the series are non-Muslims who are unaware of the Muslim history.

## Plot

The television series focuses on the life of 12th century Muslim ruler Saladin and how he conquered Jerusalem Furthermore, it focuses on his struggles and battles against the Crusaders and his goal to unite the Muslim territories of Syria, northern Mesopotamia, Palestine and Egypt under his rule.
In the show, Saladin is depicted as the adopted son of Nur al-Din Zengi who doesn't know that he is adopted and doesn't know his real parents.

## Cast
### Selahaddin Eyyubi

Cast
* Ugur Gunes as Salahuddin, based from Saladin, also known as Selahaddin Yusuf bin Eyyub bin Selahaddin. was the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Hailing from a Kurdish family, he was the first sultan of both Egypt and Syria. An important figure of the Third Crusade, he spearheaded the Muslim military effort against the Crusader states in the Levant. At the height of his power, the Ayyubid realm spanned Egypt, Syria, Upper Mesopotamia, the Hejaz, Yemen, and Nubia.
* Mehmet Ali Nuroğlu as Sultan Nureddin Zengi, based from Nur al-Din Zengi, was a Turkoman member of the Zengid dynasty, who ruled the Syrian province (Shām) of the Seljuk Empire. He reigned from 1146 to 1174. He is regarded as an important figure of the Second Crusade, adoptive father and superior of Salahuddin.
* Ekin Türkmen as Melike Hatun, first wife of Nur ad-Din Zengi, based from Malike Khatun. Sister of Melik Dolat
* Seda Yıldız as Eyyub, based from Ayyub ibn Shadi, a soldier and politician from Dvin later Governor under Sultan Nureddin Zengi. father of Salahuddin.
* Zeynep Kumral as Fatma Hatun, the wife of Ayyub ibn Shadi and mother of Salahuddin.
* Ali Ersan Duru as Turan-Shah, an elder brother of Salahuddin.
* Sezgin Erdemir as Shirkuh, based from Asad ad-Din Shirkuh, the brother of Ayyub ibn Shadi and uncle of Salahuddin. (Deceased)
* Barış Bağcı as Rasyiduddin Sinan, based from Rashid ad-Din Sinan, leader of Nizari Ismaili State and the Order of Assassins, long time enemy of Salahuddin.
* Noor ul Hassan as Abdul Qadir Gilani.
* Olgun Toker as Karategin, the owner of Tribe of Wolfs (tur Kurtlar Kabilesi) Brother of Ismet and Ilbüke.
* Bülent Sakrak as Mevdud, based from Mawdud ad-Din Zengi. Brother of Nurredin and Nusreddin.
* Aleyna Sirin as Rabia Hatun, daughter of Ayyub ibn Shadi and Fatma Hatun (Fatima Khatun), sister of Shahinshah, Turanshah and Selahuddin.
* Ahmet Olgun Sünear as Urfalı, warrior of Salahuddin.
* Alou Traore as İbrahim, warrior of Salahuddin.
* Ibrahim Balaban as Bozok, archer warrior of Salahuddin.
* Celal Al as Atsız, main warrior of Salahuddin.
* Erdinç Gülener as Ömer mella, Sultan Nureddin Zengi spiritual mentor and advisor.
* Egemen Yavuz as Vezir isfahani, based from Imad al-Din al-Isfahani, Vezir of Sultan Nurredin Zengi.
* Asuman Bora as Kutlu hatun, based from Qutlu ad-Din Khatun Zengi, mother of Sultan Nurredin, Mevdud and Nussreddin.
* Murad Karak, as Imad, Sultan Nureddin Zengi Assistant.

### Season 2 Characters

* Uygar Özçelik as Qadi Fazil, based from Qadi al-Fadil.
* Devrim Evin as King Amalrik, based from Amalric I of Jerusalem. King of Jerusalem.
* Barış Baktaş as Boru, based from Taj al-Muluk Abu Sa'id Buri, Salahuddin brother
* Hakan Yufkacıgil as William, based from William of Tyre, Advisor of King Amalric.
* Ozan Dolunay as Belian, based from Balian of Ibelin.
* Bertug Kursat Alp as Prince Baldwin, based from Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.
* Elif Doğan as Mila, based from Stephanie of Milly. Countess of Kerak, widow of Count Miles, wife of Chatillon.
* Berk Erçer as Guy, base from Guy of Lusignan. Christian noble, later husband of Sibylla, later King of Jerusalem.
* Gökçe Türkan as Şemse Hatun, a Christian dancer, Salahuddin love interest later wife.
* Arif Diren as Latif, the healer.
* Barış Yıldız as Çemşit, Assistant of Countess Mila.
* Şahin Irmak as Emir Yaruki, Sultan Nureddin Commander.
* Gülper Özdemir as Queen Sibylla, based from Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem.
* Atilgan Gümüş as Şaver, based from Shawar. Vizier of Egypt, killed by Shirkuh. (Deceased)
* Burak Demir, as Chatillon, based from Raynald of Châtillon. New Count of Kerak, husband of Mila, friend of Guy.
* Göksu Melek Ulucan as Sayra, Rakif Daughter who swored vengeance to Boru.
* Gizem Ünsal as Princess Maria, based from Maria Komnene, Queen of Jerusalem, Byzantine Emperor niece, second wife of King Amalrik, become queen of Jerusalem.

### Season 2 deceased characters

* Melih Çardak as Dirgam, based on Dirgham. Former Vizier of Egypt , killed by Saver.
* Atilgan Gümüş as Şaver, based from Shawar. Vizier of Egypt, killed by Shirkuh.
* Teoman Kumbaracıbaşı as Tacir (Trader/Merchant) Rakif , most powerful merchant of Egypt, loyal to Egypt Fatimid Caliph, enemy of Salahuddin, Killed by Boru.

### Season 1

* Tuvana Türkay as Count Victoria, who ruled Jerusalem, after that her brother Baldwin Amarlic killed her.(deceased)
* Kaan Çakır as Nussreddin Zengi, brother of Nur ad-Din Zengi and Mewdud Zengi. Father of Izzetin (deceased), husband of Berra Hatun (deceased)
* Dilin Döğer as Süreyya Khatun, from the Askaloni royal family in the series. She will play a key role in defending the Muslim lands along with the Zangi forces. She was Selahuddin's love interest but was killed by an arrow from Halifa of Fatimid dynasty.(deceased)
* Özgür Cem Tugluk as Pars, one of assistants of Salahuddin. Gregor killed him.(deceased)
* Firat Çelik as Gregor, a fictional character and brother of Gabriel, who was Queen Victoria's fiance/ love interest.(deceased)
* Murat Han as Gabriel, brother of Gregor. He defeated the Askalanis and took over the city. Queen Victoria's love interest. Killed by Salahuddin when he recaptured Askalon.
* Berk Cankat as Bernard, the brother of Elisa (Alisa), who briefly took overDamascus (tur.Şam), until and then ruled over Gaza (tur.Gazze) until Salahuddin killed him when he takes over the city.
* Kartal Can Ermis as Demircan, one of Salahuddin's warriors. Since Avram murder him.(deceased)
* Baki Davrak as Avram, the fictional character who wants to establish the Sultanate for the Jews. Judaism. Killed by Salahuddin when he retrieves Damascus.
* Abdul Susler as Pierre, who was assistant with King Baldwin and later Queen Victoria's. Murdered by Queen Victoria's brother, Amalric when he took over the Jerusalem as the King
* Fatih Yilmaz as Şimon, the assistant of Avram.(deceased)
* Izzet Yüksek as Izzetin, son of Nussreddin Zengi and Berra Hatun. (deceased)
* Burcu Kirman as Elisa, sister of Bernard. InJerusalem Queen Victoria killed by slicing her neck.
* Anil Özdemirci as Musab, one of helper with Salahuddin. Gregor's soldier's murdered him.(deceased)
* Burak Sarimola as Shehinshah, the oldest son of Ayyub ibn Shadi and eldest brother of Selahaddin. Died when Gabriel's soldiers were taking over Askalon.
* Kaan Uluca as King Baldwin of Jerusalem. Queen Victoria poisoned him and took over the throne of Jerusalem.
* Sezgin Uzunbekiroglu as Esma, auntie of Surreyya Hatun, sister of Mansur, who murdered by one of Bernard's soldiers until Bernard getting Damascus.(deceased)
* Yildirim Gücük as Mansur, brother of Esma, father of Surreyya Hatun. Killed by Gabriel.(deceased)
* Ece Özdikici as Berra Hatun, wife of Necmeddin and mother of Izzetin(deceased)
* Sezin Akbaşoğulları as Ismat ad-Din Khatun was the daughter of a regent of Damascus. wife of Nur ad-Din Zengi, she passes away due to Melike Hatun poisoning her and the baby.(deceased)
* Barış Bağcı as Rashid ad-Din Sinan.

## Episodes
### Series overview

| Season | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released |
| Season | Episodes | Episodes | First released | Last released |
| 1 | 28 | 28 | November 13, 2023 (2023-11-13) | June 10, 2024 (2024-6-10) |
| 2 | TBA | TBA | October 21, 2024 (2024-10-21) | TBA |

### Season 1 (2023–2024)

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | "1. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Isa Yildiz | 13 November 2023 (2023-11-13) |
| 2 | "2. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 20 November 2023 (2023-11-20) |
| 3 | "3. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 27 November 2023 (2023-11-27) |
| 4 | "4. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 4 December 2023 (2023-12-4) |
| 5 | "5. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 18 December 2023 (2023-12-18) |
| 6 | "6. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 25 December 2023 (2023-12-25) |
| 7 | "7. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 1 January 2024 (2024-1-1) |
| 8 | "8. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 8 January 2024 (2024-1-8) |
| 9 | "9. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 22 January 2024 (2024-1-22) |
| 10 | "10. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 29 January 2024 (2024-1-29) |
| 11 | "11. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 5 February 2024 (2024-2-5) |
| 12 | "12. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 12 February 2024 (2024-2-12) |
| 13 | "13. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 19 February 2024 (2024-2-19) |
| 14 | "14. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 26 February 2024 (2024-2-26) |
| 15 | "15. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 4 March 2024 (2024-3-4) |
| 16 | "16. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 11 March 2024 (2024-3-11) |
| 17 | "17. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 18 March 2024 (2024-3-18) |
| 18 | "18. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 25 March 2024 (2024-3-25) |
| 19 | "19. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 1 April 2024 (2024-4-1) |
| 20 | "20. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 8 April 2024 (2024-4-8) |
| 21 | "21. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 15 April 2024 (2024-4-15) |
| 22 | "22. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 22 April 2024 (2024-4-22) |
| 23 | "23. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 29 April 2024 (2024-4-29) |
| 24 | "24. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 6 May 2024 (2024-5-6) |
| Salahuddin captured Mevdud and managed to confront Bernard as a result of a trap he set. With an unexpected move, Bernard manages to escape from Saladin’s grasp. Saladin goes to Dolat and Sultan Nureddin without Bernard. His aim is to try to stop Dolat by making Mevdud talk. |||||
| 25 | "25. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 13 May 2024 (2024-5-13) |
| Bernard, who lost Gaza, is sentenced to death by the Papacy. But he somehow saves himself and puts his new plans into action. Queen Victoria, on the other hand, thinks that after the Zengis’ conquest of Gaza, it may be Al-Quds’ turn and takes action to make a peace treaty with the Zengis, but Bernard prevents the agreement that Victoria is about to make. |||||
| 26 | "26. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 20 May 2024 (2024-5-20) |
| Selahaddin takes revenge for Süreyya by killing Mülhem (who killed Sureyya, but due to Temur’s unexpected move, he loses the beys. While Temur thinks he will save the beys, Bernard appears before them and captures them again. |||||
| 27 | "27. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 3 June 2024 (2024-6-3) |
| 28 | "28. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Unknown | 10 June 2024 (2024-6-10) |
| Victoria's brother reaches Kudus and kills Pierre and Victoria. Sultan Nureddin receives a personal letter upon reading it, he then orders Shirkuh to take his army to Egypt. The episode ends with a faint Selahaddin lying at the bottom of a well. |||||

### Season 2 (2024–present)

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 29 | "29. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | Isa Yildiz | 21 October 2024 (2024-10-21) |
| When Selahaddin has saved, until he will move on Cairo, Karategin announcing his leaving. |||||
| 30 | "30. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 28 October 2024 (2024-10-28) |
| 31 | "31. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 4 November 2024 (2024-11-4) |
| 32 | "32. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 11 November 2024 (2024-11-11) |
| 33 | "33. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 18 November 2024 (2024-11-18) |
| 34 | "34. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 25 November 2024 (2024-11-25) |
| 35 | "35. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 2 December 2024 (2024-12-2) |
| 36 | "36. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 9 December 2024 (2024-12-9) |
| 37 | "37. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 16 December 2024 (2024-12-16) |
| 38 | "38. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 23 December 2024 (2024-12-23) |
| 39 | "39. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 30 December 2024 (2024-12-30) |
| 40 | "40. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 13 January 2025 (2025-1-13) |
| 41 | "41. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 20 January 2025 (2025-1-20) |
| 42 | "42. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 27 January 2025 (2025-1-27) |
| 43 | "43. Bölüm" | Sedat Inci | unknown | 3 February 2025 (2025-2-3) |

## Production
### Development

   "This series is not only for Muslims or Pakistan and Turkish population but also to show the world that there was a Muslim ruler whose opponents also appreciated his courage, justice, bravery and equality."
On 20 August 2021, the agreement between Emre Konuk, owner of Akli Film Production and Pakistan's Ansari & Shah Films producers Dr. Kashif Ansari and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, on the production of this new series titled Selahaddin Eyyubi was signed in Belgrade. Emre tweeted:
    A happy news on a blessed Friday night! Contract signed between Akli Films and Ansari&Shah Films about ‘Sultan Selahaddin Ayyubi’. May this international project, which will be prepared with the cooperation of Turkey and Pakistan, be beneficial to our country and our art world.
On 18 October 2021, the delegation from Turkey landed in Islamabad International Airport to begin auditions for the drama series in Lahore and Karachi.

### Casting

The series will feature actors from both Turkey and Pakistan. 75% of the show cast will be Turkish including Selahaddin and the rest of 25% cast will be from Pakistan. In this regard, Turkey's Akli Film Production announced to scout for talent in Pakistan from October 28 to November 1 of 2021 in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.

### Filming

The TV series is being shot in Turkey and is planned to have three seasons. Each season will have 34 episodes as revealed by Adnan Siddiqui. Production began on January 29, 2022, as producer, Emre Konuk posted an image with the caption, "Selahaddin Eyyubi yakında!" (English: Selahaddin Eyyubi soon) on his Instagram.

### Writing

   "The series focuses on the Quran, history and religious harmony. How the Quran can be used effectively to govern empires that are embraced by people of all religions."
Selahaddin Eyyubi will use sixteen writers over its three seasons. The historical series is being written by Turkish historians with the assistance of Pakistan's paleographers and research writers. Kashif Ansari imparted that screenwriters for the series have enlisted the help of Turkish historians, researchers and authors to make it as close to reality as possible. The initial work on the series was completed in September, after that, screen testing began once the casting was done.

## Release
### Turkey

Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi premiered in Turkey on 13 November 2023 on TRT 1.

### Pakistan

The series first episode premiered in Pakistan on Hum TV on 6 May 2024.