Ertugrul: meet the people behind everyone's favourite Turkish TV show

Turkish TV show Dirilis: Ertugrul, known in English as Resurrection: Ertugrul, has rapidly won over the hearts of its Pakistani audience, which is evident by the fact that its YouTube channel has already earned more than a million subscribers in less a month.

Dubbed in Urdu, the famed historical series first aired when Ramadan commenced in the South Asian nation. It was brought to Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Turkey last year and met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

PM Imran, who has since assuming power back in 2018 spoken of turning Pakistan into something similar to the welfare state of Madina, considers Ertugrul to be very important in terms of how the country's youth can learn about Islam's history from the 13th century.

The series takes its name from the eponymous Muslim leader Ertugrul Gazi, who was the father of the Ottoman Empire's founder, Osman.

While people talk about TV series' iconic characters and developments in each episode of the series, let's dive into the lives of the people who brought Resurrection: Ertugrul to life.

Ertugrul Gazi: Engin Altan Duzyatan

Engin Altan Duzyatan, who portrays the protagonist Ertugrul Gazi, was born in Izmir in 1979. Interested in drama and stage from an early age, he graduated with a degree in theatre from the Dokuz Eylul University in 2001, following which he traveled to Istanbul.

Duzyatan made his TV debut in Ruhsar and silver screen debut in 2005 with the film Beyza'nin Kadinlari. He has so far landed multiple acting roles, directed films, and hosted a game show as well.

During an interview back in 2014, he said he loved the story of Ertugrul but emphasised on how it needed to be closer to facts and reality lest it becomes a laughing stock.

He has two children with his wife, Neslisah Alkoclar.

Halime Sultan: Esra Bilgic

Born in 1992 in Turkish capital of Ankara, Esra Bilgic portrays Halime Sultan, Ertugrul's love interest and later, his wife.

Bilgic — who is an archaeology graduate from Hacettepe University — has also studied international relations at Bilkent University and is currently enrolled in a law programme at Istanbul Sehir University.

The character of Sultan was her first role, marking her debut in the Turkish TV industry, and shot her to celebrity status quickly. However, she left Ertugrul in 2018 and joined the cast of another drama called Adanis Kutsal Kavga.

She is currently the protagonist in crime-drama TV series Ramo.

Bilgic was married to professional footballer Gokhan Tore for less than two years but the couple divorced in 2019.

Turgut Alp/Bey: Cengiz Coskun

Cengiz Coskun, who brings to life Ertugrul's close aide and friend, Turgut Alp (Bey), was born in Istanbul in 1982 and comes from Bulgarian descent.

A graduate of the Sports Academy, he's a professional basketball player as well. He entered the modelling industry in 2002 but it wasn't until 2005 that he started working as a TV actor.

Apart from Ertugrul, he has also acted in Conquest 1453, Cekmeceler, and Dag.

Selcan Hatun: Didem Balcin Aydin

Didem Balcin Aydin plays the role of Selcan Hatun, the wife of Ertugrul's brother. She, too, was born in 1982.

A theatre graduate from Ankara University, she relocated to Istanbul for better acting career prospects and later went on to win several accolades.

The actress married professional stunt performer Kamil Can Aydin earlier this year in a small ceremony attended by close family and friends, owing to the coronavirus lockdown.

Ayden's husband has worked in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, Cloud Atlas, and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.