Hürrem, Süleyman return to Russia

MOSCOW- Anatolia News Agency

Turkish TV series ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ were shown in a 11-hour marathon by national broadcaster Damasniy TV in Russia. There were only short commercial breaks.

The first 13 episodes of the hit Turkish TV series “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century) were shown in a back-to-back, 11-hour marathon in the country on April 1.

National broadcaster Damasniy TV began airing the first season of “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” at 10:10 a.m. on April 1 and continued to broadcast all the shows until 11 p.m. There were only short commercial breaks during the marathon.

A Turkish website in Russia, Turkrus.com, said Damasniy TV had announced that the new episodes of the series would be aired starting April 7.

Damasniy TV promoted the series, which is known as “Velikolepniy Vek” in Russian, saying it was “the story of Roksalana [Hürrem Sultan] and Süleyman.”

Russian viewers reacted angrily after the series went on hiatus after the first 13 episodes were shown, with some claiming broadcasts of the series had been discontinued because of negative reaction.

Damasniy TV, however, said their broadcasting agreement only extended to the first 13 episodes and that talks were continuing for the airing of the new episodes.

Officials promoted the series in its Russian trailer with the words teaser, “Palace decoration, magnificent chic dresses and unbelievable success in the world. The story of concubine Roksalana, who stole the heart of the sultan … Roksalana and Süleyman.”