Kuruluş: Osman

Kuruluş: Osman, translated as Establishment: Osman, is a historical fiction Turkish television series produced by Bozdağ Film. It tells the story of the life of Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire.

The first episode of the series, directed by Metin Günay and written by Mehmet Bozdağ, was aired on November 20, 2019, on the ATV network. The show is a continuation of the TRT 1 series Diriliş: Ertuğrul, which aired between 2014 and 2019.

Plot
The story includes Osman Ghazi's internal and external struggles and how he establishes and controls the Ottoman Empire. It portrays his struggles against Byzantium and the Mongol Ilkhanate and how he was able to secure independence from the Sultanate of Rum to establish a sovereign state that would stand up to the Byzantine and Mongol Empire and would honor the Turks. The character of Osman faces many enemies and traitors in his quest, and the show illustrates how he was able to overcome these obstacles to fulfil his mission with the help of loyal companions, family, and friends.

Predecessor
The series follows Diriliş: Ertuğrul, which was centered around Osman's father, Ertuğrul, and how he faced enemies and traitors. It began in December 2014 and season 5 of the show concluded with Ertuğrul convincing Berke to start a war with Hulagu Khan. This war was known as the Berke-Hulagu war and resulted in the division of the Mongol Empire into four khanates. In Kuruluş: Osman, Osman faces one of the khanates called the Ilkhanate.

Season 1
Ten to fifteen years after the Berke-Hulagu war, Ertuğrul Ghazi goes to Konya and he leaves his brother, Dündar Bey, in charge of his tribe. Dündar Bey is susceptible to coercion by others into carrying out their wrongdoings. He falls into the trap of the devious Selçuk Sançak Bey Alişar, and the merciless princess of Kulucahisar, Sofia, who seeks to kill all the Turks. Osman, Dündar's nephew, can see through Alişar and Sofia's plans and warn him about them, despite his refusal to listen. As they continue to build more tension against the Kayı, Geyhatu sends Komutan Balgay to cause more trouble and stop the Kayı, especially Osman, from rebelling against the Mongols. Dündar, who bows down to the Mongols becoming the Sançak Bey, can't see Alişar's anger over his position being given over to him, and he believes him when Alişar blames Osman for his son's killing. Soon after, along with the threat from Kulucahisar, Dündar is shown the truth; Alişar is beheaded by Osman; and Osman has married his love at first sight, Bala. Following this, after many difficulties, Balgay is presumably killed by Osman while Kulucahisar is conquered by the Kayı with Sofia's death happening in the process.

Season 2
Aya Nikola is sent by the Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II to become the new Tekfur of İnegöl followed by Ertuğrul's return to the tribe. Meanwhile, Yavlak Arslan, the new Uç Bey, seeks to create his state and sees Osman as an obstacle. Later on, they unite against the new threat created by the Mongol Governor of Anatolia, Geyhatu who allies with Nikola against the Turks of Anatolia. Nikola recaptures Kulaca Hisar by poisoning the alps. Bala also faces the arrival of Targun, Nikola's spy, who allies with Osman to save her father, İnal Bey. Along with these problems, Osman is elected as the new after his father's death, which he decides to marry a second wife according to his father's will. After Targun's death, Osman meets Malhun Hatun and initiates a major battle with the Byzantines, historically known as the Battle of Mount Armenia, as well as trying to find the traitor in the Kayı, as his jealous uncle Dündar helps the Byzantines stir traps for him.Osman eventually executes Dündar for his treachery. Osman then initiated a major battle with the Byzantines, with the support of Malhun Hatun, which is historically known as the Battle of Domanic. Following the arrival of Ömer Bey, father of Malhun Hatun Geyhatu sends Kara Şaman Togay, son of Baycu Noyan, to eliminate both Osman's Kayı and Ömer's Bayındır, but after a series of conflicts between the two tribes, Togay fails and is killed by Osman. Nikola is later defeated by Osman, with the support of Seljuk Sultan Mesud II, though he survives. Osman also marries Malhun Hatun in a full filling his father's will and after being advised by Sheikh Edebali to marry again with permission of his first wife and love bala hatun dughter of sheikh edabali to get heir for his Beylik, who gives birth to Osman's son Orhan, while his first wife Bala Hatun becomes pregnant.

Season 3
Malhun Hatun learns of Bala Hatun's pregnancy and engages in power struggle with her, though they soon resolve their differences. Osman Bey faces Harmankaya Tekfur Mikhael Kosses (Köse Mihal) and Bilecik Tekfur Rogatus Laskaris for Papaz Gregor, a priest who was imprisoned by the Byzantine Emperor and he later escaped with the help of Tekfur Rogatus. However, Gregor is caught and executed by Osman after he attempted to cause an explosion in Söğüt. Turgut Bey is a valiant Turk Bey who opposes the Byzantines and later allies with Osman Bey, becoming his close friend and right-hand man.

Osman has conflicts again with his old enemy Tekfur Aya Nikola who is helped by the Catalan Company, though Osman soon defeats the Catalans. Tekfur Nikola wants to marry Mari, sister of Mikhail Kosses, who in turn has fallen in love with Turgut Bey. She escapes the forced alliance and, soon, with her brother's blessings, marries Turgut Bey. Meanwhile, a Vizier of the Seljuk Empire, Alemşah arrives to deal with Osman, thinking of him as a threat to his political ambitions. Geyhatu, his ally, soon joins him Alemşah attempts to create a rift between Osman and Sultan Mesud,;however, Osman soon executes Alemşah and proves his innocence to Mesud. In the ensuing conflict, Rogatus is killed. Meanwhile, Geyhatu is captured and sent to his brother, Ilkhan Argun, who imprisons him for his treachery, though Geyhatu eventually becomes Ilkhan after Argun's death. Osman Bey and Bala Hatun are blessed with a baby boy who is named Alaeddin Ali. Osman then has to face Nikola's mentor, the dangerous cult leader, Arius, who arrives in Söğüt in the disguise of a Sheikh. Arius' scheming results in the deaths of Mari, Umur Bey and Umur's brother Ivaz Bey's deaths.

Several years later, in 1299, Selcan Hatun dies due to an illness. Osman launches a series of conquests, conquering Bilecik, İnegöl and Yenisehir, executing Arius and Nikola. Kosses, who was Osman's ally ever since his conflict with Alemşah accepts Islam and goes to spy in Bursa.

Season 4
In Constantinople, one of the heirs to the Byzantine throne, Kantakuzenos tries to assassinate Andronikos and become emperor. However, Osman comes to know of this plan through his spies in the city and saves Andronikos' life. Infuriated at this failure, Kantakuzenos alongside his ally Olof (a Byzantine commander of Viking descent). Together, they frame Öktem Bey (Bey of the Kargin tribe) and his daughter Alcicek. However, Osman foils their plans and proves their innocence. Meanwhile, Alcicek and Aktemur (Gunduz's son, Osman's nephew and the Subaşi of Yenişehir) fall in love.

Osman conquers Marmara Hisar (in present-day Marmaracık). Concerned by Osman's growing influence, Ismihan Sultan (mother of the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Kayqubad III) arrives at Yenişehir, allying with the Byzantines to take down Osman. However, Osman spoils all of her plans, executing Kantakuzenos. In the ensuing conflict, he also executes a Mongol commander, Samagar. This angers Samagar's superior commander, Nayman, who also arrives to eliminate Osman.

Nayman allies with Ismihan, Olof, and later Valens (Tekfur of Bursa) to take down Osman, but Osman inflicts heavy losses on him and executes Olof. Öktem Bey is martyred in the ensuing conflict. Aktemur, who has married Alcicek, becomes the Bey of the Kargin tribe. Osman complains about Sultan Alaeddin's cruelties to Alaeddin's suzerain, Ilkhan Ghazan, which results in Alaeddin's dethronement and Mesud being reinstated as Sultan. As a token of gratitude, Mesud vows to help Osman in his conquests. Osman conquers Köprühisar. Ismihan and Alaeddin are captured and sent to Tabriz to be trialed. Nayman is executed by Osman. Valens, who is revealed to be a member of the militarily influential Mouzalon family is given a large army by Andronikos to crush Osman, but is defeated and Osman conquers Koyunhisar. Valens then requests assistance from the Pope at Vatican. With Sultan Mesud's blessing, Osman declares his principality to be an independent one and begins taxing Byzantine caravans passing through his territory.

Season 5
Tensions between Osman and the Bey of the Germiyanids, Yakup are fanned by the Byzantines. With Sultan Mesud bedridden and the Seljuk state on the verge of collapse, Yakup declares himself as the new Sultan, and due to his influence and coercion, many Beys pledge their allegiance to him. However, Osman refuses to do and later finds out that Yakup is plotting against him, which starts a cold war between the two. Yakup captures the castle of Lefke and gives it to Osman. Later, Osman captures Kestel. Osman executes the Ilkhan Oljeitu's emissary, Akcelasun, prompting his twin brother Karacelasun (who soon becomes the governor of Konya) to come after him for revenge. Later, Osman kidnaps the Byzantine princess Maria, who was to be married to Görklü Han, nephew of Emir Coban, Commander-in-Chief of the Ilkhanate. This prompts Görklü to attack him as well, but he is soon executed by Osman.

Cast and characters

 * Burak Özçivit as Osman Gazi. Osman (also referred to as "Kara Osman", ) is the third and youngest son of Ertuğrul Ghazi and Halime Hatun. He is also the younger brother of Gündüz Bey and Savcı Bey, and nephew of Selcan Hatun, whom he treats as his own mother. He is the husband of Bala Hatun and Malhun Hatun and the father of Orhan, Alaeddin Ali, Fatma Hatun and Halime Hatun who aspires to follow in the footsteps of his father Ertuğrul and his grandfather Süleyman Şah. He is extremely attentive to his surroundings and good with a sword, just like his father. He disobeys his beys sometimes, travelling on the path he believes is successful. His weakness is his care for his close ones, making him prone to traps. He humiliates his enemies both on the battlefield and while negotiating, leaving them with a thirst for revenge. He is elected as the Bey of his tribe in season 2. He decides to marry a second wife as per his father's will, as well as changing the Kayi flag.He continues his struggle for his free realm by conquering castles like Kuluchisar, Inegol, Marmaracik, Koyunhisar, Koprihisar, Yarhisar and Bilecik, territory of Yenişehir, Itburnu, Kestel ,Kite and Atranos. He also has Karachisar and Soğut that was conquered by his father Ertuğrul . He now has determination of conquering Bursa. He is a true warrior who is very fierce for his enemies and a kind ruler for his people no matter from which religion they belong. At the end of season 5 he announces his free state "Osmanli Beyliği" (Ottoman Beylik) . Based on Osman I.


 * Özge Törer as Bala Hatun; Bala is the daughter of Sheikh Edebali and Ulduz Hatun, who died because of a disease. She is Osman Bey's first wife, mother of Alaeddin Ali and Halime Hatun and a beautiful painter having been best friends with Gonca Hatun. She is the Chief Lady of the Kayi Tribe and the Head of the Bacıyân-ı Rûm. She is loyal to her father, the Ahi brotherhood and Selcan Hatun. She is extremely calm and patient but is prone to heartbreak. A Mongol stabbed her in season 1 and she therefore cannot produce a baby, and is constantly teased due to this fact. In season 2, after her husband is elected Bey, she becomes the Hanım (Head Hatun) of the Kayı tribe, succeeding Selcan Hatun. She is upset when Osman decides to marry a second wife, but accepts her fate. Eventually becomes pregnant. Gives birth to Osman's second son Alaeddin Ali. Two months after the victory of İnegöl, Bala is revealed to be pregnant with Osman's fourth child and soon gives birth to a daughter named Halime after her paternal grandmother. She is the powerful woman of the Kayı tribe, and continues to pledge her loyalty to her husband Osman at all times. Based on Rabia Bala Hatun.


 * Yıldız Çağrı Atiksoy as Malhun Hatun. She is the daughter of Ömer Bey, second wife of Osman Bey, the mother of Orhan and Fatma Hatun.She is the Chief lady of Yenişehir and Bayındır Obası. She belonged to the Bayındır tribe an Oğuz tribe settled in Ankara suffering persecution from Geyhatu. The tribe consists of 10,000 people and seeks to settle in Bithynia on Osman's invitation, which was one of the reasons why Malhun came. She is skilled in archery and combat. She saved Osman Bey from Nikola's attack. Comes from a noble lineage of Beys formerly loyal to the Selçuk State and Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat. In the beginning has tense relations with Bala but eventually they get along. She is sent by her father to examine the western borders of the state. She discovers Dündar's ring in Söğüt, and attempts to find the traitors in the Kayı tribe herself. Later marries Osman Bey after Osman was advised by Şeh Edebali to marry another woman to get heir for his beylik and falls pregnant soon after. Gives birth to Osman first child Orhan. She administers Yenişehir's trade system. She is a brave hatun who supports her husband Osman in battlefields and also accompanies him on his conquests. She is called Görklü Devlet Ana of Ottoman's. At the almost end of season 4 she is revealed to be pregnant with Osman's fifth child and their joy was beyond limits. Based on Malhun Hatun.


 * Emre Bey as Orhan Bey: Osman's eldest son. Son of Osman Bey and Malhun Hatun. Elder brother of Alaeddin Ali Bey and Fatma Hatun. Bey of Karacahisar and Kestel Castle. In love with Holofira.


 * Yiğit Uçan as Boran Alp; Boran from Osman Bey's main alps and A close  companion of Konur and later Göktuğ, Dumrul, Gence Bey and Cerkutay. He is the widower of Gonca Hatun. He is a talented bard and singer. He uses a sword while being skilled in archery, and often also uses a bow and arrow in close combat.

The series is written and produced by Mehmet Bozdağ and directed by Metin Günay. The theme music is by Alpay Göktekin (who passed away on 5 May 2020) and Zeynep Alasya. It was filmed in Riva, Istanbul and the broadcasting of the first season began in November 2019 on ATV. Filming for the third season began in late August 2021 and concluded in mid-June 2022. The show has been renewed for a fourth season and is currently airing on ATV.

Reception
The show has been well received in Turkey. In December 2019, Kuruluş: Osman attracted record viewership on ATV, in its fourth weekend of broadcast, the 4th episode of the series recorded a countrywide rating of 14.46. Mehmet Bozdağ claims that the show has also been a great success in Albania, where it is called Osmani, and said that it is the "most watched TV show" in the country. In January 2021, the show, which was one of the most popular shows in Turkey, began broadcasting in the Middle East on Noor Play.

The show has been very successful in Pakistan. It currently airs on Geo Entertainment and VidTower in Urdu. Episode 59 broke viewership records in Pakistan. After the series became a huge hit, Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser visited the set to view the shooting of the series. He also met the leading actor, Burak Özçivit.