The first prayer scene was shot after the conquest – Mehmed: Fetihler Sultânı
Over 100 volunteers from across Türkiye took part in filming the first prayer scene in Hagia Sophia for the April 22 episode - We came to say we were there too.
A powerful moment in the historical series Mehmed: Fetihler Sultânı, airing every Tuesday on osmanonline.live, is bringing viewers even closer to history—not just through the screen, but in person. For the upcoming episode set to air on April 22, the production recreated a monumental event: the first prayer in Hagia Sophia following the conquest of Constantinople. What made this scene especially meaningful was the inclusion of real-life volunteers from across Türkiye.
History Recreated with Real People
In a remarkable move to build a spiritual and emotional bridge with its audience, the producers invited volunteer participants—ordinary people, not professional actors—to take part in the filming of this landmark scene.
The volunteers, some of whom traveled from distant cities, gathered not just to be on set, but to feel part of the legacy. As one participant put it,
“We came to say we were there too.”
Before filming began, both volunteers and actors took part in a symbolic walk to Hagia Sophia, echoing the momentous occasion that forever changed the course of Ottoman and world history.
Producer Eyüp Gökhan Özekin: “Everyone Came with Spiritual Motivation”
Series producer Eyüp Gökhan Özekin, who has been the driving force behind the show’s authentic storytelling, revealed that the idea to include volunteers originally came up during discussions about key moments in the series, such as the carrying of the ships over land or the conquest scenes. But ultimately, they decided on the prayer scene for its symbolic depth and simplicity.
“At first, we said everyone in the scene should be a volunteer. Then we realized managing such a large crowd might be difficult, so we limited it,” Özekin explained.
They initially opened applications for 33 people, representing the number of prayer beads in a rosary. But the response was overwhelming.
“Although the system crashed three times, we received more than 2,000 applications. Everyone came with a spiritual motivation,” said Özekin, who also donned a costume and joined the scene himself.
Eventually, the number of volunteers grew to over 100 people. As the atmosphere on set filled with awe and emotion, it was clear: this was more than a scene—it was a living tribute to history.
More Than a Series—A Movement of Memory
Mehmed: Fetihler Sultânı has consistently drawn praise for its faithful reenactments, emotional depth, and attention to historical detail. But this latest gesture goes a step further by inviting everyday citizens to experience and embody the stories they grew up learning about.
This collaborative effort between professionals and volunteers brings community, history, and storytelling together in one frame—offering not just a show, but a moment viewers and participants will never forget.
As the first prayer echoes through Hagia Sophia once more on screen, audiences can know it’s not just actors playing a part—it’s the people of Türkiye standing shoulder to shoulder in reverence.
