jaslice1 I watched it on Netflix with English translation, in short, it is magnificent acting, costumes, music and the mixture of history & fiction will make you an addict to this fabulous production.the development of the characters is matched by wonderful actors, however, there are a couple of glitches: how did LEO get injured while carrying Hatice, Mustafa grew too fast & how the rebellion ended so fast without the Sultan action nevertheless it is a must see

seidem3 I love this series. Only problem is Netflix only downloaded series 1. I cannot locate where to get series 2, 3 and 4. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who can tell me where I can find them in English subtitles. The casting, costumes and locations are top notch. I did laugh at the competition in the harem. I can say this series showed you can have a great show without nudity. The characters played their parts perfectly. I loved the way they showed the workings of a palace, its royalty, servants, etc. Now I'm going to have to read up on the history of Sulyman the Magnificent and see how close facts were followed. I'm curious about actual family members and children are actual people. I'd like to see the rest of this series so if anyone knows where I can fin the last three seasons, I'd be very grateful

jllewell I'm quite hooked on this series. Most of the actors are really good and the sets and costumes are great. I can forgive the bad cgi.A little more historical accuracy would have been nice - if Hürrem was that dumb, she'd have been long dead. I realize that you gotta dramatize, but this is a little too silly in patches.Speaking of silly - all the romantic parts are childish in the extreme - I find myself bored with those parts. Extra cheese, anyone?I would have preferred it all a little more gritty and realistic - then the comedy relief parts (which are all excellent) would have had way more impact than they do.If it had all been a little more grown up, I would have been better pleased - the actor who plays Suleiman deserves it - he's not just beautiful (and he is!), he's very talented.Suleiman is one of the historical figures that I admire most, along with Marcus Aurelius, and diverse others. Progressive men in a savage world. Men of their times, with all the terrible traits that implies, but looking for something beyond. It saddens me that the writers felt compelled to add all the ridiculous histrionics.I love it, but it would have been so much more powerful and gripping if it had been a little more emotionally and politically mature.

Kirpianuscus this purpose - to seduce the public. costumes, locations, the manner to use the historical events, the courage to attack the myths, the structure of characters, the music, the reflections of great leader are proofs for that. in same measure, its seductive power is result of the wise science to transform crumbs of soap opera in an Oriental story about power, love and duty. the Turkish nationalism - with traces of New Ottoman nostalgia's - is present. the same - the admiration for great figures - very old for Balkans. but the heart of story is to present essence of an empire in its high age.the sultan has a credible portrait and that is the most important detail who transforms the series more than a soap opera with high budget. the fight for power is presented with passion for detail. it is a great show and subject of many controversies. but it remains a trip in a not real uninspired version of Soliman the Magnificent 's reign.