Fans of Mehmed Fetihler Sultani were disappointed this evening as the highly anticipated new episode did not air. According to current indicators, it is also very likely that there will be no new episode next week.
Despite checking numerous news websites and reviewing the most up-to-date information, no official statement has yet been released. While the TV broadcast schedule still lists a new episode for tonight, such schedules are often generated automatically and are usually updated 1–2 hours before airtime, which suggests the listing may be inaccurate.
So, why is there no new episode of Mehmed Fetihler Sultani?
New Characters Join the Cast as the Storyline Shifts
The series is preparing to introduce two major new characters:
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Yılmaz Bayraktar, who will portray Bosnian King Stjepan
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Alma Terzic, who will appear as Queen Katerina of Bosnia
With the Pontus storyline officially concluded, the audience has just witnessed three consecutive episodes focused on a large-scale war. Producing such sequences on a weekly basis is an extraordinarily demanding task.
The Reality of Historical TV Production
Few viewers realize the intensity behind the scenes. A crew member once explained that two or even three scenes are sometimes filmed simultaneously. Now imagine doing this under harsh winter conditions in Türkiye, with multiple retakes required for:
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Wide shots
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Close-ups
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Action choreography
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Emotional performance consistency
On top of filming, there is the extensive post-production process, including editing, sound design, and visual continuity. Producing an episode that is longer than many feature films every single week is a monumental effort.
From this perspective, taking additional time is not a weakness—it is a necessity.
A Short Break for Long-Term Quality
In my opinion, Mehmed Fetihler Sultani is currently one of the best historical TV series in the world (yes, the 9.9 rating is mine—not IMDb 🙂). To maintain this level of quality, time is essential.
The only disappointing aspect is the lack of an official announcement. A clear statement would eliminate speculation and unnecessary theories among viewers.
What’s Next? Vlad Takes Center Stage
With Pontus behind us, the series is now expected to focus heavily on Vlad’s storyline. For this arc, a familiar face from Kuruluş Osman joins the cast: the actress who portrayed Sofia.
This casting choice is widely regarded as excellent. However, this time, she will not be remembered as Sofia—she will serve a completely new narrative purpose. Naturally, building this storyline properly requires time.
The script is most likely already complete, and filming for Episode 63 has probably finished. However, timing matters.
Is the Break Due to the Holiday Season?
Contrary to popular belief, this pause is not related to Christmas or New Year holidays.
Every year, production companies and TV networks renegotiate advertising revenue agreements. These negotiations can sometimes take longer than expected. If an agreement is delayed, broadcasts may pause temporarily.
Many viewers may recall that Kuruluş Osman once went off-air for nearly a month due to unresolved negotiations between the producer Bozdağ Film and ATV. In other cases, agreements are reached quickly, and shows resume without interruption.
When Will the New Episode Air?
Update: New episode on 30th December.
In the last episode, there were two thrilling points:
**what would have happened to Beyazid and his brother Mustafa?
**What would have happened to Vlad Tepes?