Created (Series)

Yaratılan is a Turkish miniseries released on the Netflix platform on October 20, 2023. Both the screenplay and direction are by Çağan Irmak, who also serves as producer. The series draws inspiration from Mary Shelley’s 19th century novel Frankenstein and presents a fictional narrative set during the Ottoman Empire. Blending horror and drama, it intertwines historical context with personal storytelling elements.

Plot

The story centers on Ziya, a young medical student living during the Ottoman Empire. His scientific curiosity and desire to extend human life push him beyond academic boundaries. Alongside his mentor İhsan, his experiments challenge not only scientific ethics but also individual conscience and social norms. Throughout the narrative, Ziya’s interventions into the human body and his confrontation with death lead to unforeseen consequences. The tension between scientific progress and moral responsibility forms the core of the series. In this way, Yaratılan is not merely a work of horror and suspense but also a framework for philosophical reflections on human nature and the pursuit of knowledge.

Still from the Series (IMDb)

Theme

Yaratılan is a thematic work focused on the ethical, social and individual consequences arising from humanity’s quest for knowledge. Key themes include the limits of scientific advancement, the relationship between humans and nature, and the responsibilities inherent in the act of creation. Additionally, the narrative’s placement within the Ottoman period establishes a historical context through various references to the era’s social and cultural structures.

Production Team

• Director: Çağan Irmak
• Writer: Çağan Irmak
• Producer: O3 Medya
• Cinematographer: Ahmet Sesigürgil
• Music: Can Azbazdar
• Production Company: O3 Medya

Cast

• Ziya: Taner Ölmez
• İhsan: Erkan Kolçak Köstendil
• Asiye: Şifanur Gül
• Muzaffer: Engin Benli
• Hamdi: Şahsuvar Aktaş
• Yunus: Ekremcan Arslandağ
• Hüsniye Nine: Sema Çeyrekbaşı
• Seher Nine: Şennur Nogaylar
• Vasili: Durul Bazan
• Kaptan Ömer: Bülent Sakrak
• Ofelya: Devrim Yakut
• Süleyman: Macit Koper
• Gülfem: Ümmü Putgül
• Esma: Burcu Soyle

Character Analysis

Ziya (Taner Ölmez)

Ziya is a medical student born and raised in Bursa. The loss of his mother during a cholera outbreak leads him to question the boundaries between life and death. His interest in science gradually merges with courage and a drive for innovation, but this tendency eventually transforms into an obsessive and uncontrolled pursuit. Ziya’s character is constructed as a figure whose scientific inquiry clashes with ethical boundaries. His internal transformation and psychological tensions serve as a central pillar of the narrative.

İhsan (Erkan Kolçak Köstendil)

İhsan is a physician who once taught medicine but was ostracized by academic circles due to his radical scientific approaches. His relationship with Ziya rekindles his engagement with scientific research. İhsan is motivated by the goal of achieving life beyond death. The failure of his experiment and his subsequent social rejection prompt him to embark on an internal process of self-examination. Throughout the narrative, İhsan embodies the conflict between scientific ambition and social norms.

Asiye (Şifanur Gül)

Asiye is Ziya’s childhood friend and a character with whom he shares emotional closeness. After her mother’s death, she was adopted by Ziya’s family. Throughout the story, she supports Ziya’s scientific pursuits while striving to preserve his humanity and emotional balance. Asiye is portrayed as a figure positioned between personal loyalty and ethical boundaries, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

Muzaffer (Engin Benli)

Muzaffer is Ziya’s father and a physician who adheres to traditional medical understanding. He responds cautiously to his son’s scientific explorations and radical inclinations. Muzaffer, who advocates adherence to medical ethics, represents intergenerational intellectual differences and professional divergences throughout the narrative. As an authority figure, he plays a decisive role in family dynamics and Ziya’s personal development.

Ömer (Bülent Sakrak)

Ömer is the leader of a traveling theater troupe where İhsan finds refuge. He brings together individuals marginalized by society to form an alternative social structure. Throughout the narrative, Ömer is positioned as a character representing the relationship between individual isolation and collective solidarity. He serves as a mediator in İhsan’s reconnection with society and his reassessment of life’s purpose.

Technical Features

The series employs a production design grounded in historical references to reflect the atmosphere of the Ottoman period. Costumes and set designs are chosen to create visual authenticity consistent with the historical context. Additionally, visual effects and makeup techniques function as essential tools in supporting the narrative’s science fiction and horror elements.

Release and Impact

Upon its release, Yaratılan generated diverse public commentary. The series, reimagining a classic literary work within a local historical context, prompted varied interpretations among viewers. Its exploration of issues related to scientific progress, ethical boundaries, and human nature sparked discussions in both media and social platforms.