Ancient Turkish mythology and history intertwine in the HBO Max series, 'The First Goğktürk'
In early 2026, HBO Max is set to premiere the highly-anticipated fantasy period series, "İlk Göktürk" (The First Gokturk), which delves into Turkish mythology and history. Directed by Alper Caglar, this series promises to be an engaging journey through the founding and rise of the Gokturk State, the first known Turkish empire to use the name "Turk" in written history.
The narrative is divided into three captivating chapters: the Prologue, the Kursat Revolt, and the Final Era. The Prologue portrays the establishment of the Gokturk State, while the Kursat Revolt delves into a darker period in Gokturk history. The Final Era highlights the decline of the empire, offering a comprehensive view of this significant historical era.
The Gokturk State, established in the sixth century A.D., was a major power, controlling a vast territory from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea and playing a significant role along the Silk Road. This series not only offers a glimpse into Turkish mythology and history but also showcases the cultural unity among Turkic peoples by bringing together actors from various regions.
The production of "İlk Göktürk" was filmed primarily in Turkey, including the central Anatolian city of Kayseri, where a large 50-meter-wide gladiator-style arena was constructed. This arena, designed by renowned production designer Sonja Klaus, known for her work on "Prometheus" and "Gladiator," is the largest ever built in Turkey.
The cast includes Volkan Keskin, Arif Diren, Esra Kılıç, and Murat Serezli, with actors from across all Turkic republics and regions contributing to the production. All costumes and materials were sourced within Turkey, further highlighting the domestic contribution to the series.
Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz, vice president of local original productions and streaming operations for Turkey at Warner Bros. Discovery, described "İlk Göktürk" as "our biggest period drama and one of the first series that relates to Turkish history." Caglar, the director of the series, pointed out that history frequently remembers Turks as great conquerors, but this series focuses on a less celebrated period of their history.
"İlk Göktürk" is compared to "Kingdom of Heaven" and "The Lord of the Rings" in terms of storytelling style, and has potential for multiple seasons and spin-offs like "Game of Thrones." The series focuses on realism, using fewer mythological elements than typical fantasy productions. Despite their independence, the Gokturk State functioned under a centralized authority for their freedom.
The journey of the characters in "İlk Göktürk" is intended to inspire audiences, similar to that of underdog heroes in "Star Wars" and "The Lord of the Rings." The series focuses on a small, dispersed Turkic population of about 200,000 around 550 A.D., surrounded by vast empires such as China, Iran, and Rome. The term "Turk" first appears in written records from the era of the series, where they called themselves the Turkic Khaganate.
In the first episode titled "Prologue," the series sets the stage for the events that follow, while the second episode delves into the darker chapter known as the Kursat Revolt. The name "Gokturk" was adopted later, beginning in the Ottoman period. The series is poised to be a captivating exploration of Turkish history and mythology, offering a unique perspective on this significant period in history.
The series, "İlk Göktürk," not only promises to deliver an immersive journey into Turkish history but also offers a chance to experience the technology of a 50-meter-wide gladiator-style arena, the largest ever built in Turkey, designed by Sonja Klaus, known for her work on blockbuster films like "Prometheus" and "Gladiatior."
This historical drama, set to premiere on HBO Max, draws parallels with modern entertainment giants such as "Game of Thrones," "Kingdom of Heaven," and "The Lord of the Rings," showcasing the evolved state of storytelling technology in the entertainment industry.
