Turkish star Beren Saat to play mother of Ottoman sultan in new drama

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet Photo

Renowned actress Beren Saat will play the title role in a new Turkish drama, titled “Kösem Sultan.”

Kösem Sultan earned a reputation for being the most dangerous and devious of the valide (mother) sultans (1623 to 1651) in the Ottoman Empire. Her long tenure lasted through the reigns of her sons, Murad IV and İbrahim I, and her grandson, Mehmed IV. She is less known for her influence over governmental affairs and more for her intrigues in order to see that it was her sons who became sultans.

Saat will play Kösem Sultan between the ages of 16 and 20 in the first season of the drama. 

Famous producer Timur Savcı has started working on this new project following the popular “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century). His new drama is expected to be on air in September. 

Another effective mother in the empire was Safiye Sultan, who will be played by veteran actress Hülya Avşar in the drama.