The Capital "Abdülhamid" (Series)

Payitaht Abdülhamid is a Turkish television series spanning the historical, fictional, action, and drama genres, which premiered on TRT 1 on 24 February 2017. The series focuses on the final 13 years of the reign of the 34th Ottoman sultan, Abdulhamid II (1896–1909) from a historical perspective. Produced by Es Film, the series is directed by Serdar Akar and written by Uğur Uzunok, Ayça Mutlugil, and Hamza Akyıldız. Spanning five seasons, the series concluded on 4 June 2021 with its 154th episode. It is also available on the TRT Tabii platform alongside TRT 1.

The series centers on the final phase of Sultan Abdulhamid II’s 33-year reign, which began with his accession to the throne in 1876. It explores the political, economic, and social struggles of the Ottoman Empire during its decline. The narrative is built around post-1897 Ottoman-Greek War political developments, the Young Turks, the Freemasons, and the conspiracies of foreign powers against the Ottoman state. Sultan Abdulhamid combats these challenges through strategic initiatives such as railway projects, policies in Palestine, and diplomatic maneuvers. The series dramatizes court intrigues, harem conflicts, and the empire’s wars against internal and external enemies within a fictional framework.

^{Scene from Payitaht: Abdülhamid Series (}TRT1⁾

The main themes of the series include state governance, loyalty, betrayal, the struggle for independence, and family bonds. The production portrays Sultan Abdulhamid II as the “Ulu Hakan” and emphasizes the political turbulence of the late Ottoman period and foreign interference. The tension between loyalty and betrayal is frequently explored in the context of court relationships and state administration. The series highlights national identity, religious values, and efforts to preserve the unity of the Ottoman state. Additionally, the conflict between modernization efforts and traditional values is a significant thematic element.

Payitaht Abdülhamid is produced by Es Film. Filming took place at the Seka Film Studios in İzmit, on meticulously reconstructed sets of the Yıldız Palace, and in various locations across Istanbul. Costumes, sets, and accessories were designed to reflect the atmosphere of the era. Produced by Yusuf Esenkal and Serdar Öğretici, the series stands out as one of TRT 1’s major historical drama projects. The production underwent an extensive preparatory process to visually recreate the final years of the Ottoman Empire with meticulous detail.

• Sultan Abdulhamid II (Bülent İnal): The 34th Ottoman sultan, a leader who employs strategic moves to sustain the state.
• Bidar Kadın Efendi (Özlem Conker): The sultan’s wife, an authoritative and cultured figure within the palace.
• Halil Halid (Gürkan Uygun): A loyal spy to the sultan, portrayed as courageous and skilled.
• Tahsin Pasha (Bahadır Yenişehirlioğlu): Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, known for his devotion to the state.
• Seniha Sultan (Selen Öztürk): The sultan’s sister, an ambitious character focused on the continuation of the dynasty.
• Zeynep (Sedef Avcı): A nurse who shares an emotional relationship with Halil Halid.
• Şivenaz (Hazel Çağan): A character educated in Europe with secret plans against the Ottoman Empire.
• Mahmut Pasha (Hakan Boyav): A pasha associated with suspicions of betrayal.
• Zülüflü İsmail Pasha (Yusuf Aytekin): The sultan’s elder brother, an important figure within the palace.
• Eşref Aziz (Ali Nuri Türkoğlu): A character who comes to Payitaht seeking revenge for bombings.
• Söğütlü Osman (Yusuf Aytekin): A member of the spy team.
• Firuze (Duygu Gürcan): A character involved in harem intrigues.
• Abdülkadir (Can Sipahi): The sultan’s son, a prince caught between love and duty.

Payitaht Abdülhamid won five awards at a ceremony organized by the Turkish Religious Foundation in 2020.