Created (Series)

Created is a Turkish miniseries released on the Netflix platform on October 20, 2023. Both the screenplay and direction are by Çağan Irmak. The series draws inspiration from Mary Shelley’s 19th century novel Frankenstein and presents a fictional narrative set during the Ottoman Empire. Combining horror and drama genres, it integrates historical context with individual storytelling elements.

The series centers on Ziya, a young medical student living during the Ottoman Empire. His scientific curiosity and desire to extend human life push him beyond academic boundaries. Alongside his mentor İhsan, his experiments challenge not only scientific ethics but also personal conscience and social norms. Throughout the story, Ziya’s interventions into the human body and his confrontation with death lead to unforeseen consequences. The tension between scientific progress and moral responsibility forms the core narrative framework. In this regard, Created is not only a work of horror and suspense but also one that lays the groundwork for philosophical discussions on human nature and the pursuit of knowledge.

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Created is thematically structured around the ethical, social, and personal consequences arising from humanity’s quest for knowledge. The limits of scientific advancement, the relationship between humans and nature, and the responsibilities inherent in the act of creation are central themes in the series. Additionally, the narrative’s placement within the Ottoman period establishes a historical context through various references to the era’s social and cultural structure.

• Director: Çağan Irmak
• Writer: Çağan Irmak
• Producer: O3 Medya
• Director of Photography: Ahmet Sesigürgil
• Music: Can Azbazdar
• Production Company: O3 Medya

• Ziya: Taner Ölmez
• İhsan: Erkan Kolçak Köstendil
• Asiye: Şifanur Gül
• Muzaffer: Engin Benli
• Hamdi: Şahsuvar Aktaş
• Yunus: Ekremcan Arslandağ
• Hüsniye Nine: Sema Çeyrekbaşı
• Seher Nine: Şennur Nogaylar
• Vasili: Durul Bazan
• Captain Ömer: Bülent Sakrak
• Ofelya: Devrim Yakut
• Süleyman: Macit Koper
• Gülfem: Ümmü Putgül
• Esma: Burcu Soyle

Ziya is a medical student born and raised in Bursa. The loss of his mother during a cholera outbreak leads him to question the boundaries between life and death. His interest in science gradually merges with courage and a drive for innovation; however, this tendency eventually transforms into an obsessive and uncontrolled obsession. Ziya’s character is constructed as a figure whose scientific inquiry clashes with ethical boundaries. His internal transformation and psychological tensions form a central pillar of the narrative.

İhsan is a physician who once taught medicine but was ostracized by academic circles due to his radical scientific approaches. His relationship with Ziya rekindles his engagement with scientific research. İhsan is motivated by the desire to achieve life after death. The failure of his experiment and his subsequent rejection by society trigger an internal process of self-examination. Throughout the narrative, İhsan embodies the conflict between scientific ambition and social norms.

Asiye is Ziya’s childhood friend and emotionally close companion. After her mother’s death, she was adopted by Ziya’s family. Throughout the story, she supports Ziya’s scientific pursuits while striving to preserve his humanity and emotional balance. Asiye is portrayed as a figure situated between personal loyalty and ethical boundaries, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

Muzaffer is Ziya’s father and a physician who adheres to traditional medical practices. He responds to his son’s scientific pursuits and radical inclinations with cautious reserve. Muzaffer, who advocates adherence to the ethical boundaries of medicine, represents intergenerational intellectual differences and professional divergences throughout the narrative. As an authority figure, he plays a decisive role in family dynamics and Ziya’s personal development.

Ömer is the leader of a traveling theater troupe where İhsan finds refuge. He brings together individuals marginalized by society to form an alternative social structure. Throughout the narrative, Ömer is positioned as a character who embodies the relationship between individual isolation and collective solidarity. He serves as a catalyst for İhsan’s reconnection with society and his reevaluation of life’s purpose.

While set within the Ottoman period, the series employs a production design grounded in historical references to reflect the era’s atmosphere. Costumes and set designs are chosen to create visual authenticity consistent with the historical context. Additionally, visual effects and makeup serve as functional tools that support the narrative’s science fiction and horror elements.

Created generated varied public reactions upon its release. By reimagining a classic literary work within a local historical context, the series prompted diverse interpretations among viewers. Its exploration of scientific progress, ethical boundaries, and questions of human nature sparked discussions in both media and social platforms.