Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi (English: Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem) is a Turkish-Pakistani 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 the Ayyubid dynasty. The television series started production in summer 2022. The producers asserted that the main target audience of the series were non-Muslims who were unaware of the Muslim history.
Contents
Plot
Season 1
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.
Season 2
After getting thrown into the well by Count Miles, Selahaddin gets out with the help of Balian of Ibelin, the younger brother of Hugh, who is on his deathbed. Balian plans to go back to France and live his life as a regular knight, away from all the messy politics in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but saving Selahaddin changes his fate forever. They both get captured by a slave trader and are taken to Egypt to participate in Dirgham's Spring Festival. The Fatimid vizier Dirgham allies with the new King of Jerusalem, Amalric and plans to let Crusader knights, led by Miles, into Cairo during the festival. Amalric's advisor William of Tyre and chief commander Lord Guy, sent by the Pope both arrive in Jerusalem. Sultan Nureddin sends Sirkuh and Yaruki with Kadı Fazıl to go to Cairo and reinstate Saver as the Fatimid Vizier of Egypt. When they arrive in Cairo, they realize that Selahaddin is already there, they kill Dirgham and Miles, and Saver is placed back on the throne. Amalric releases Raynald de Châtillon from prison, and he raids the city of Gazze. Tensions ensue between Sirkuh and Saver, which ultimately results in the Zengids getting kicked out of Egypt. They are sent back to Egypt again, but this time alongside the army, with intentions to take Egypt from the Fatimids and Saver. On their way to Egypt, the army is poisoned and Selahaddin and his warriors are left alone to defend Egypt from the approaching Crusader army. Just when Selahaddin and Balian are about to clash their swords, the Zengid army arrives thanks to the help of Karategin and both armies clash in what results in a Zengid victory at Babein, the Crusaders are forced to retreat due to Nureddin taking Harim Castle during the battle. Selahaddin, Sirkuh and Yaruki march to Egypt and kill Saver and the rebel Fatimid soldiers. Sirkuh is placed on the throne, but on the same day as his ascension, he gets killed by Saver's son Kâmil. Selahaddin ascends and becomes the Vizier of Egypt, he clashes with both the Caliph of the Fatimid Dynasty and a famous trader Rakif, the power struggle between these 3 ends when Selahaddin's brother Boru arrives in Egypt, Rakif is quickly killed by Boru, after Amalric marries Maria Komnenos. Balian finds out that Amalric's son Baldwin, has leprosy and must be quarantined until a suitable doctor arrives with the necessary treatment. Amalric decides to march to Egypt with an army consisting of the Crusaders, the Knight Templars and the Byzantines. They arrive outside the walls of Egypt, but Selahaddin hears of Baldwin's illness and sends his doctor Latif to go and help heal Baldwin, upon seeing this, Amalric retreats with his soldiers, but Maria, Lord Guy and Raynald disregard his order and stay to take Egypt, a battle ensues but in the end, Sultan Nureddin arrives and kicks the Army of Jerusalem, out of Egypt, again. The Fatimid Caliph dies and Selahaddin is made the "Sultan of Egypt", he marries Şemse Hatun and is given the duty of taking Sultan Nureddin's son, Melik İsmail from Aleppo to Damascus. The governor of Damascus, Gumushtekin, frustrated by this news, ambushes Selahaddin on the road, kills Yaruki and kidnaps Melik İsmail, so he can take him to Damascus himself. Lord Guy is sentenced to execution for disobeying Amalric's orders of retreating, but just as he is about to die, the news of Amalric's sudden and shocking death arrives, Lord Guy survives. Around the same time, in Damascus, Nureddin passes away before meeting Selahaddin one last time. Gumushtekin and Countess Mila kidnap Sultan Melik İsmail and take him to Kerek, in order to trap Selahaddin. Selahaddin uses this as an opportunity to save the Sultan, kill Gumushtekin and make preparations for the Siege of Kerek. Gumushtekin is killed by Gokboru, the Sultan is saved and is taken back to Aleppo in order to stop a rebellion from other Zengid nobles.
Cast
Both seasons characters
Ugur Gunes as Salaheddin, 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. Father of Ali, husband of Semse Sultan. Brother of Boru, Turan Shah, Sehinshah, brother in law of Sayra. Uncle of Ali (deceased) and Turap. (Deceased)
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. (Deceased)
Zeynep Kumral as Fatma Hatun, the wife of Ayyub ibn Shadi and mother of Salahuddin, Boru, Turanshah, Şehinşah, and mother in law of Semse and Sayra. (Deceased)
Sezgin Erdemir as Shirkuh, based from Asad ad-Din Shirkuh, the brother of Ayyub ibn Shadi and uncle of Salahuddin. (Deceased)
Noor ul Hassan as Abdul Qadir Gilani.
Olgun Toker as Karategin, the owner of Tribe of Wolves (tur Kurtlar Kabilesi) Brother of Ismet and Ilbüke. Uncle of Sultan İsmail.
Bülent Sakrak as Mevdud, based from Mawdud ad-Din Zengi. Brother of Nurredin and Nusreddin. (Deceased)
Season 1 characters
Dilin Döğer as Süreyya Khatun (fictional character), from the Askaloni royal family in the series. She plays 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)
Tuvana Türkay as Queen Victoria, who ruled Jerusalem, after that, her brother Amarlic killed her in the season finale. (Deceased)
Firat Çelik as Gregor, a fictional character and brother of Gabriel.(deceased)
Berk Cankat as Bloody Bernard, the brother of Elisa and betrothed to Queen Victoria, who briefly took over Damascus (tur.Şam), and then ruled over Gaza (tur.Gazze) until Salahuddin killed him when he took over the city. (Deceased)
Murat Han as Gabriel, brother of Gregor. He defeated the Askalanis and took over the city. Queen Victoria's fiancé. Killed by Salahuddin when he recaptured Askalon. (Deceased)
Özgür Cem Tugluk as Pars, one of the assistants of Salahuddin. Gregor killed him.(deceased)
Kaan Çakır as Nussreddin Zengi, brother of Nur ad-Din Zengi and Mewdud Zengi. Father of Izzetin, husband of Berra Hatun. (Deceased)
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. (Deceased)
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. (Deceased)
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. (Deceased)
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. (Deceased)
Elif Doğan as Mila, based on Stephanie of Milly. Countess of Kerak, widow of Count Miles, wife of Chatillon.
Berk Erçer as Guy, based on Guy of Lusignan. Christian noble, later husband of Sibylla, later King of Jerusalem.
Gökçe Türkan as Şemse Hatun, a Christian singer & dancer, Salahuddin love interest later wife, based from Ismet Hatun.
Arif Diren as Latif, the healer. (Deceased)
Barış Yıldız as Çemşit, Assistant of Countess Mila.
Şahin Irmak as Emir Yaruki, Sultan Nureddin Commander.
Gülper Özdemir as Queen Sibylla, based on Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem.
Atilgan Gümüş as Şaver, based from Shawar. Vizier of Egypt, killed by Shirkuh. (Deceased)
Episodes
Production
Development
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
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. It ended with its final episode on 26 May 2025.
Pakistan
The series' first episode premiered in Pakistan on Hum TV on 6 May 2024.