Mahkum

Mahkum, known in English as The Prisoner, is a Turkish crime drama television series that follows the story of a prominent prosecutor accused of murdering his family and struggling with amnesia while imprisoned. Premiering on Fox on December 14, 2021, the series ran for two seasons totaling 31 episodes before concluding on October 29, 2022.^[1][2][3] Created by Uğraş Güneş and produced by MF Yapım, Mahkum centers on Fırat Bulut (played by Onur Tuna), a highly respected public prosecutor in Istanbul whose life unravels when he wakes up in prison without memory of the events leading to his conviction for the brutal killing of his wife Zeynep and their five-year-old daughter.^[4][5] With the help of allies inside and outside the prison system, Fırat escapes to investigate a conspiracy involving powerful figures, including the influential Yeşari family, as he races to expose the truth and reclaim his freedom.^[4][6] The series features a strong ensemble cast, including İsmail Hacıoğlu as the enigmatic Barış/Savaş Yeşari, Melike İpek Yalova as Büge Yeşari, and Hayal Köseoğlu as Sasha Doğan, alongside supporting roles by Hakan Karsak, Seray Kaya, and others.^[7][8] Blending elements of thriller, mystery, and family drama, Mahkum explores themes of justice, betrayal, and redemption, earning praise for its intense pacing and performances, with an IMDb rating of 7.5/10 based on over 1,900 user reviews.^[4] It is an adaptation of the 2017 South Korean series Innocent Defendant.^[6]

Overview

Premise

Mahkum centers on Fırat Bulut, a highly regarded prosecutor in Istanbul known for his impeccable record and devoted family life, who suddenly finds himself imprisoned and suffering from amnesia after being convicted of murdering his wife and young daughter.^[4] With no recollection of the events leading to his arrest, Fırat must confront the disbelief and hostility from those around him while desperately seeking to reconstruct his lost memories and prove his innocence.^[6] As Fırat delves deeper into the mystery from within the prison, he uncovers layers of deception involving betrayal by those closest to him and systemic corruption in the judicial process that framed him. With the help of allies, he escapes to further investigate the [conspiracy.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14898744/)[](https://www.turkishdrama.com/defendant-mahkum-tv-series.html) The narrative examines profound themes such as the fragility of justice, the devastating impact of memory loss on personal identity, familial disloyalty, and the arduous path toward redemption in a flawed legal system.^[5] Blending intense legal thriller elements with psychological drama and bursts of action, the series portrays Fırat's relentless struggle against overwhelming odds, highlighting the tension between institutional power and individual resilience.^[4] Originally adapted from the South Korean series Innocent Defendant, Mahkum reimagines these core conflicts in a Turkish context.^[10]

Format and genre

Mahkum is a two-season Turkish television series, with Season 1 consisting of 24 episodes aired from December 2021 to June 2022, followed by Season 2 with 7 episodes broadcast from September to October 2022, for a total of 31 episodes.^[11][12] Episodes typically run 120 to 150 minutes in length, aligning with the extended runtime standard for prime-time dramas on Turkish networks, and were scheduled for weekly release, primarily on Thursdays via FOX Türkiye.^[12][13][14] Classified primarily as a legal drama and thriller, the series incorporates mystery and action elements to explore themes of injustice and redemption within judicial and criminal contexts.^[12][6] In line with Turkish adaptation conventions, Mahkum emphasizes emotional intensity in character arcs and sustained suspense through layered conflicts, distinguishing it from more streamlined international counterparts.^[6][15] The narrative unfolds through non-linear storytelling, featuring flashbacks that reconstruct the protagonist's fragmented memories of the alleged crime, alongside gripping courtroom sequences and tense prison dynamics that drive the intrigue and revelations.^[4] This structure heightens the central mystery of wrongful imprisonment, interweaving past events with present-day survival efforts to maintain viewer engagement across its extended episodes.^[4]

Background and development

Adaptation from Innocent Defendant

Mahkum serves as the Turkish adaptation of the 2017 South Korean television series Innocent Defendant, originally broadcast on SBS from January 23 to March 21, 2017.^[16] The source material follows prosecutor Park Jung-woo, who loses his memory and finds himself imprisoned on death row for the murder of his wife and daughter, leading him to navigate prison life and unravel a conspiracy involving corruption and betrayal. Produced by Signal Entertainment Group and The Story Works, the series consists of 18 episodes in a single season, blending legal thriller elements with psychological drama centered on themes of injustice and redemption.^[16] The rights to adapt Innocent Defendant were acquired by the Turkish production company MF Yapım, which localized the narrative for a domestic audience while preserving the core premise of an amnesiac prosecutor fighting for exoneration.^[6] In Mahkum, the story shifts to Istanbul, where protagonist Fırat Bulut works as a public prosecutor at the Istanbul Courthouse before his wrongful conviction, reflecting Turkish urban and judicial environments rather than the original's Seoul setting.^[4] This relocation allows for integration of local landmarks and cultural nuances, such as family-oriented social structures and procedural aspects of the Turkish legal system, adapting the high-stakes prison and courtroom confrontations to resonate with viewers familiar with domestic issues like institutional power dynamics.^[10] Unlike the concise one-season format of the Korean original, Mahkum expanded into two seasons totaling 31 episodes, airing on Fox Turkey from December 14, 2021, to October 29, 2022, which enabled deeper exploration of subplots involving alliances within the prison system and external investigations into elite corruption.^[6] These structural changes, overseen by MF Yapım, emphasize serialized tension and character development suited to Turkish television's episodic style, while maintaining the thriller's focus on moral ambiguity and the quest for truth.^[4]

Pre-production

The pre-production phase of Mahkum was led by MF Yapım, which acquired the adaptation rights to the South Korean series Innocent Defendant and greenlit the project for broadcast on Fox Turkey. Public announcements began in August 2021, starting with the casting of Onur Tuna in the lead role of prosecutor Fırat Bulut on August 17.^[17] By late August, Volkan Kocatürk was confirmed as the director, bringing his experience from previous drama projects to helm the legal thriller.^[18] Uğraş Güneş served as the head writer, adapting the original script to incorporate Turkish cultural and legal nuances while maintaining the core premise of amnesia and wrongful accusation.^[19] Preparations accelerated in September 2021, with the creative team finalizing the pilot script and securing additional cast members, including İsmail Hacıoğlu, Seray Kaya, and Melike İpek Yalova.^[20] The project was allocated resources for authenticity in courtroom scenes, including consultations with legal experts to ensure accurate depictions of Turkish judicial procedures, though specific budget details remain undisclosed. By the end of September, pre-production transitioned to filming setup, targeting a premiere in mid-December.^[21] Key challenges during this period included securing international adaptation rights amid competitive global demand for K-drama remakes and assembling a high-profile cast while navigating the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had caused widespread disruptions in Turkey's television industry throughout 2020 and into 2021.^[22] Despite these hurdles, MF Yapım, under producer Asena Bülbüloğlu, expedited the timeline to meet Fox Turkey's broadcast schedule without reported major setbacks.^[23]

Cast and characters

Main cast

The main cast of Mahkum features actors portraying the central figures in a narrative centered on injustice, memory loss, and redemption within a high-stakes legal thriller. Onur Tuna stars as Fırat Bulut, a highly regarded prosecutor in Istanbul who awakens in prison with amnesia, accused of murdering his wife and young daughter; his arc drives the series as he transitions from a symbol of elite justice to a desperate inmate piecing together fragmented memories to prove his innocence and orchestrate escapes from captivity, motivated by a profound sense of betrayal and the need to reclaim his lost life.^[4][6] İsmail Hacıoğlu plays Barış/Savaş Yeşari, the cunning antagonist hailing from one of Istanbul's most influential families, whose ruthless ambition and connections to corruption position him as Fırat's primary adversary; his motivations revolve around protecting familial power and covering up scandals, creating ongoing tension through manipulative schemes that challenge Fırat's every move.^[4][24] Seray Kaya embodies Cemre Uysal, Fırat's steadfast lawyer and key ally who navigates the legal system to support his defense from outside prison walls; her arc emphasizes moral conviction and professional risk-taking, as she uncovers evidence and coordinates with Fırat to dismantle the conspiracy against him, driven by a commitment to justice amid personal dangers.^[4][25] Melike İpek Yalova portrays Büge Yeşari, a member of the powerful Yeşari family whose complex relationships and involvement in family intrigues add layers to the conspiracy surrounding Fırat.^[7][8] Hayal Köseoğlu plays Sasha Doğan, an ally who assists Fırat in uncovering the truth behind his conviction and navigating the dangers both inside and outside prison.^[7][8]

Supporting cast

The supporting cast of Mahkum includes key figures that deepen the prison's hierarchical tensions and the external web of corruption, as well as flashback roles. Alara Bozbey portrays Zeynep Bulut, Fırat's devoted wife whose brutal death forms the emotional core of the mystery; appearing primarily in flashbacks across the first seven episodes, her character underscores Fırat's pre-prison happiness and fuels his relentless pursuit of truth, highlighting themes of familial loss and the fragility of trust.^[7][6] Bülent Seyran portrays Yurdaer Çelik, the prison warden who embodies institutional authority but frequently bends to the pressures of influential outsiders, shaping subplots around prison governance and Fırat's restricted movements.^[26][24] Hakan Karsak plays Hacı Alagöz, a seasoned inmate who forges crucial alliances within the facility, assisting Fırat in navigating rivalries and plotting against internal threats.^[7][26] Fırat's personal stakes are highlighted through his daughter Nazlı Bulut, enacted in flashback sequences by child actor Alya Sude Mazak, whose vulnerability underscores the protective motives fueling Fırat's desperation amid his wrongful conviction.^[27] On the outside, the Yeşari family's corrupt elements, led by patriarch Zahit Yeşari (Mehmet Ulay), propel investigative subplots by leveraging their industrial empire to obstruct justice and entangle Fırat in broader conspiracies.^[26] Commissioner Zafer, played by Gökhan Tercanlı, aids Fırat's external case as a skeptical ally who probes the official narrative, contributing to themes of institutional doubt and hidden alliances.^[26] Casting choices emphasize authenticity in legal and authoritative roles, with veterans like Nihal Koldaş as Tomris Yeşari, the family's matriarch, lending gravitas to the interpersonal conflicts within the Yeşari dynasty.^[26]

Production

Filming

Principal photography for Mahkum took place primarily in Istanbul, Turkey, leveraging the city's diverse urban and historical landscapes to depict the series' narrative of legal intrigue and imprisonment. The production, handled by MF Yapım, utilized the company's facilities in the Beykoz district for constructing key interior sets, including simulated prison environments with cells, corridors, and security elements designed to replicate authentic Istanbul correctional facilities.^[28] These sets were built in a large production studio in an outer region of the city, allowing for controlled filming of confined, high-tension scenes without relying on actual prisons. Courthouse exteriors were captured in Istanbul's historical districts, such as Beşiktaş and Galata, where the architecture provided a realistic backdrop for legal proceedings and dramatic confrontations central to the plot.^[29] Family home sequences, illustrating domestic life and personal stakes, were shot in suburban neighborhoods around Istanbul, emphasizing everyday residential settings to contrast the institutional harshness of prison life.^[30] The shooting schedule spanned from July 2021 to May 2022 for the first season, aligning with the series' premiere on December 14, 2021, and included reshoots in summer 2022 ahead of the second season's September launch; this timeline accommodated the demanding pace of Turkish television production, with frequent night shoots to heighten suspense in escape and pursuit sequences.) Production faced technical challenges, particularly in action-oriented scenes, where practical effects were employed to enhance realism in fights and chases, avoiding over-reliance on digital enhancements. COVID-19 protocols significantly impacted filming, especially in prison settings with limited crowd scenes to minimize health risks; mandatory masking, regular testing, and social distancing were enforced across the set, as per Turkish industry guidelines during the pandemic.^[31] A notable interruption occurred in January 2022 when lead actor Onur Tuna fell ill with symptoms initially suspected to be COVID-19, halting production for a day until tests confirmed it was not the virus, underscoring the era's heightened vigilance.^[32]

Music and crew

The direction of Mahkum was primarily handled by Volkan Kocatürk for the first 24 episodes, with Özgür Sevimli directing the final 7 episodes (25-31), emphasizing dynamic pacing and visual tension in the legal thriller format.^[33][7] The original score was composed by Sertaç Özgümüş, Çağlar Haznedaroğlu, and Alper Ketenci, creating thematic music that underscores the series' emotional and suspenseful moments.^[34] The soundtrack album Mahkum (Orijinal Dizi Müzikleri), released in April 2022 by Es Müzik, features 54 tracks including the opening theme "Jenerik" and instrumental pieces like "Adalet" and "Ağıt," designed to accompany key narrative beats such as courtroom confrontations and personal revelations.^[35] Cinematography was led by Metin Turguç, who captured the contrasting environments of the story through deliberate framing and lighting choices.^[36] Editing duties were primarily managed by Kıvanç İlgüner, who navigated the series' non-linear timelines to maintain narrative coherence across episodes.^[37]

Release and distribution

Broadcast history

Mahkum premiered on Fox Turkey on December 14, 2021, with its first episode airing on a Tuesday at 20:00 local time.^[38] The series, produced by MF Yapım specifically for the Fox network, shifted to a regular Thursday slot starting with the second episode on December 16, 2021, maintaining the 20:00 broadcast time throughout its run.^[39] The first season consisted of 24 episodes, airing weekly on Thursdays without major interruptions until its season finale on June 2, 2022.^[40] Following a summer hiatus typical of Turkish television scheduling, the second season returned on September 15, 2022, continuing the Thursday 20:00 slot and comprising 7 episodes.^[41] The series concluded with its overall finale on October 29, 2022, after the 31st episode, marking the end of its original broadcast on Fox Turkey due to cancellation.^[42] In total, Mahkum aired 31 episodes across two seasons on the network, with the production's focus on episodic drama aligning with Fox's programming for action-oriented series.^[43] Post-broadcast, episodes became available on digital platforms, though the primary domestic rollout remained tied to Fox's linear schedule.

International availability

Mahkum became available internationally on streaming platforms shortly after its Turkish premiere in December 2021. It is accessible on Disney+ in select regions, including the United Kingdom and Turkey, with English subtitles provided for non-Turkish audiences.^[44] Episodes with English subtitles are also uploaded on YouTube channels dedicated to Turkish dramas, allowing global viewers to access the series for free.^[45] The series has reached audiences in the Middle East through Arabic-dubbed versions, which are available on platforms like Dailymotion and YouTube.^[46] In Europe and Latin America, dubbed episodes in Spanish have gained traction on YouTube, with full seasons uploaded by fan and official channels.^[47] These dubbed formats have facilitated broader accessibility beyond subtitled options, particularly in regions with strong demand for Turkish content. As an adaptation of the South Korean series Innocent Defendant, Mahkum has attracted interest from international fan communities, including those in Korea, where it was nominated for the Individual Award at the 2022 Seoul International Drama Awards.^[48] This recognition contributed to its global visibility, with online viewership extending its reach post-2022 through digital platforms.

Reception

Critical response

Mahkum has been praised for its compelling portrayal of legal intrigue and personal redemption, earning an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 on IMDb from 1,956 user reviews.^[4] Reviewers highlighted Onur Tuna's standout performance as prosecutor Fırat Bulut, noting his ability to convey emotional turmoil and determination with nuance and intensity.^[49] The series' suspenseful pacing was frequently commended for maintaining tension across its episodes, drawing viewers into the mystery of Fırat's amnesia and wrongful conviction.^[49] Strengths in the show's execution include its accurate depiction of Turkish judicial processes and deep emotional exploration of family bonds and moral dilemmas, which added authenticity and resonance to the narrative.^[49] As an adaptation of the South Korean series Innocent Defendant, it was lauded for faithfully capturing the original's core themes while incorporating cultural nuances effective for Turkish audiences.^[49] Criticisms primarily targeted the second season's pacing, which some found slower and less focused compared to the first, alongside unresolved subplots that left certain character arcs feeling incomplete.^[49] International platforms like IMDb also appreciated the cultural specificity, such as the integration of local legal and familial dynamics, enhancing the series' global appeal.^[49]

Audience and ratings

Mahkum garnered significant viewer engagement during its run on Fox Turkey, particularly in its first season, where it achieved strong ratings, frequently topping the charts with total audience figures often above 5% (premiere at 6.36%, peak at 11.17%). Viewership declined in season 2, averaging 2-3% across total and key demographics, amid increased competition from other primetime dramas.^[50] Audience feedback on social media highlighted enthusiasm for the show's plot twists and suspenseful pacing, with viewers praising the intricate mystery elements that kept discussions lively online. Conversely, some segments of the audience raised controversies regarding the depiction of violent scenes and the portrayal of Turkey's justice system, critiquing the series for potentially sensationalizing real-world flaws in legal processes.^[51] In terms of accolades, Mahkum won the Best Drama award at the 2022 Seoul International Drama Awards; it had no other major award victories but notably elevated the profiles of its lead actors, including Onur Tuna and İsmail Hacıoğlu, leading to subsequent high-profile roles in other productions.^[52]