Can Yaman: Beyond the Muscles, There’s More — Il Turco Marks the Start of a New Journey

The €28 million production that was supposed to officially crown Can Yaman as the star of major international TV dramas ended up, a week after its final episode aired, being somewhat of a flop in terms of ratings. But Il Turco is far from a misstep in the Turkish actor’s career. In fact, it could be the real turning point for his artistic growth.

Stepping away from the romantic comedy roles that made him famous, Yaman brought to life a layered character, full of depth and intensity. And in doing so, he exceeded the expectations of those who doubted his ability to handle dramatic roles.

 

Il Turco: A Grand Production, Undermined by Poor Scheduling

Despite a massive budget and an ambitious international production, Il Turco failed to establish itself as a must-watch TV event. Why? A series of poor choices by Mediaset: minimal promotion, a poorly thought-out broadcast schedule, and a rushed release crammed into just two weeknights. The first half, aired on Tuesday, April 8, squeezed three episodes into a late-night slot, dragging on past midnight and discouraging a large part of the general audience.

Adding to the problem was the brutal comparison with Fuochi d’artificio, a Rai drama airing at the same time that managed to hit peaks of 17% audience share, leaving Il Turco trailing at just 11.3%. The Turkish-Hungarian epic (which you can still stream in full on Mediaset Infinity until April 29) had anything but a lucky primetime debut.

Can Yaman: A New Dramatic Face

The real highlight, however, was Can Yaman himself. Playing the Ottoman janissary Hasan Balaban, he showcased surprising dramatic talent.

Far from the polished characters of Turkish "dizi" (endless romance series usually set in Istanbul) or the laid-back inspector in Viola come il mare, Yaman portrayed a man torn apart by war, faith, love, and identity. Wrestling with his past demanded a strong on-screen presence, not just physically — and Yaman delivered, helped by a direction that enhanced his charisma and intensity.

A Team Effort That Didn’t Always Hit the Mark

Yaman’s performance was also boosted by excellent voice dubbing. Even though Can Yaman speaks very good Italian (thanks to his studies at an Italian high school in Istanbul), his accent isn’t quite suited for epic roles like this one. Daniele Giuliani, now his official Italian voice actor, managed to bring credibility and character to Balaban.

On the downside, Il Turco suffered from Greta Ferro’s performance. The actress, who had been well-received in Made in Italy, came across as less convincing here, partly due to self-dubbing that weakened the overall impact. Add to that a somewhat shaky script, which alternated between genuinely emotional moments and others that felt more like a soap opera.

The Future Is Called Sandokan

But Il Turco is just the beginning. The real leap forward for Yaman could come with his next major project: Sandokan, Rai’s reboot of the classic series that originally starred Kabir Bedi, set to arrive in fall 2025. The series is being produced by Lux Vide for Rai Fiction, with an international cast and a €30 million budget. This time, Yaman will be tasked with playing an iconic character, alongside big names like Alessandro Preziosi and Ed Westwick.

With Sandokan, Rai seems determined to pull out all the stops: prime-time promotion on TG1, a strong social media presence, and advertising across their flagship shows. A complete contrast to the handling of Il Turco. If the project succeeds, it will be thanks, in part, to the credibility that Yaman has started building with this first real dramatic performance.

Beyond the Looks: An Actor in Evolution

It’s no longer just about dazzling smiles and sculpted muscles. With Il Turco, Can Yaman has taken an important step toward becoming a well-rounded actor. Yes, the series had its flaws, but it also gave us a new side of Yaman — deeper, more complex. And even if the audience didn’t immediately notice, time — and Sandokan — will prove him right.