Valley of the Wolves () is the original television series, created by Osman Sınav, which followed a Turkish intelligence agent working under the assumed identity of Polat Alemdar (played by
Necati Şaşmaz) who attempts to infiltrate the Turkish mafia. The 97-episode series aired from 2003 to 2005.
Valley of the Wolves: Iraq Valley of the Wolves: Iraq () is a controversial 2006 spin-off film, directed by
Serdar Akar, which follows Polat Alemdar (Necati Şaşmaz) and his team as they go to
northern Iraq during its
occupation to avenge the death of Turkish soldiers. Its reported
anti-Americanism and
antisemitism attracted interest from American and European media and other organizations, such as the
Anti-Defamation League. Released in Turkey on , it was one of the year's highest-grossing Turkish films.
Valley of the Wolves: Terror Valley of the Wolves: Terror () is a short-lived spin-off television series which follows Polat Alemdar in his attempts to infiltrate Kurdish-separatist militant networks in Turkey. The first episode (which aired on February 8, 2007) had good ratings, but its political content and violence triggered a harsh response from the
Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK). The series was then cancelled, sparking controversy about
censorship in Turkey.
Valley of the Wolves: Ambush Valley of the Wolves: Ambush () is a television series produced after the cancellation of the previous series. Airing on
Show TV,
Star TV,
ATV Kanal D and
Mesaj TV Meltem TV from April 20, 2007 to June 16, 2016, the series had good ratings. Polat Alemdar wages a vigilante struggle against four Turkish families who control the country's economy and helps Ahu Toros, a young businesswoman who lost her father. Polat has a rival, İskender Büyük, and marries Ebru Duru. Two other protagonists are Memati and Abdülhey; Memati is a former criminal associate of Süleyman Çakır, and Abdülhey is a Turkish intelligence agent. Aron Feller is an ex-CIA agent attempting to exert influence in Turkey. Polat kills İskender Büyük, and loses Ebru; their young daughter is taken by Aron Feller to be raised as a Christian in the US. After İskender's death, Polat and his team fight Kurdish terrorists associated with the
Kurdistan Workers' Party. Ersoy Ulubey wants to seize Turkey with terrorism and his relationships with family leaders such as Haşim Ağa, İzzet Ağa, and Yaşar Ağa, creating the Templars (a secret society). Polat maintains his relationship with the
İhtiyarlar (the Elders), who see him as Turkey's protector. Polat kills Ersoy and Aron Feller, and Süleyman Çakır's family returns from a six-year absence. A new character, Kara, had also worked for the Elders. Other new characters include Beyefendi, Mete Ağır, Memduh Baba, Şeref Zazaoğlu, and Mete Aymar. Memati and the "White Hair" of the Elders are killed by the Templars. Polat and his friends, in shock after Memati's death, are unable to take revenge. The Elders choose Adil Eşrefoğlu as their new White Hair. Adil is the brother of Doğu Eşrefoğlu, and the brothers and Aslan Akbey created the Valley of the Wolves mission. A new youth team, the Regional KGT, comes to Turkey to help Polat complete his mission. Polat is forced to kidnap Adil, who tells him that he used to be like Polat in his youth. Adil says that he formed the KGT with Doğu, and trained Aslan Akbey. Sencer, an Elder, is revealed as the mastermind behind the murders of Memati and the former White Hair. Sencer and Adil are executed by the Elders, who are executed in turn. Akif and foreign minister Hoca conspire to make Polat appear dead to everyone but the Elders, and Polat is chosen as the White Hair. Cahit joins the Templars, meets Safiye Karahanlı, and tries to win her confidence. Abdülhey is found by Hoca mourning Polat's death. Cahit meets Margaret Theodora, and is introduced to Maestro Ronald and Inspector Kane. Two Elders are murdered by the Templars, and Cahit learns that someone other than Maestro Ronald is their leader. Kara's grandchild has been murdered by Poyraz, and Kara seeks revenge; Polat and Kara kill Poyraz. Cahit (Polat's bodyguard when he was the White Hair) is summoned by Timur to a meeting; Polat wants to surprise Cahit, but accidentally shoots him. The Templars learn that Abdülhey was vice-president of the Elders, but are still in the dark about Polat. After Inspector Kane's death, UN member Mr. Key takes revenge by murdering Margaret and many others. Polat forms Black Flag (a military team) to help other sympathetic countries, with Kara its commander. A meeting is planned in Cyprus, where the Templar leader will be present. Cahit demolishes the place and leaves with Kara. Abdülhey is killed by a bomb planted in the KGT office, and Kara is injected with
Ebola. Mr. Key is murdered by Akif. Turkish baron Fehmi Kuzuzade tries to form a council to rule Turkey, but is assassinated by Polat. New antagonists include John Smith, Tilki Andrei, Sagir, and Sadık Britani. Professor Martin (a friend of Safiye) was a Templar leader, and plans to destroy Polat's family and kidnap Elif. Ömer dies of a heart attack during daily prayers, and Nazife is poisoned by Professor Martin. Polat is kidnapped by the Templars, whose leader offers him the Turkish leadership. He escapes; he and Cahit kill the Templar leader and arrest his staff. Polat marries Leyla, who is killed in an explosion on their honeymoon.
Muro: Damn the Humanist Inside Muro: Damn the Humanist Inside () is a 2008 spin-off film directed by
Zübeyr Şaşmaz and starring
Mustafa Üstündağ and
Şefik Onatoğlu as two revolutionaries recently released from prison who stumble across an illegal organization run by a former friend. Released in Turkey on , it was the year's third-highest-grossing
Turkish film.
Valley of the Wolves: Gladio Valley of the Wolves: Gladio () is a 2009 spin-off film directed by
Sadullah Şentürk which follows retired security intelligence agent Iskender Buyuk (Musa Uzunlar) as he strikes back against his former employers by revealing all he knows about
Operation Gladio. "It addresses Turkey’s years-long adventure with the deep state and illegal formations nested within the state" and "aims to provide an opportunity for movie fans to closely look at the 'deep gangs' that attempted to stir and divide Turkey with subversive plots," according to Betül Akkaya Demirbaş in ''
Today's Zaman''. Released in Turkey on , it was the year's fifth-highest-grossing
Turkish film.
Valley of the Wolves: Palestine Valley of the Wolves: Palestine () is a 2011 spin-off film directed by
Zübeyr Şaşmaz which follows Polat Alemdar (Necati Şaşmaz) and his team as they go to Israel to bring down an Israeli military commander who planned and conducted an attack on a Gaza aid flotilla.
Valley of the Wolves: Homeland Valley of the Wolves: Homeland () is a 2017 spin-off film directed by
Serdar Akar which is set during the
2016 Turkish coup attempt. During an operation in Iraq, Polat Alemdar and his team obtain a map of Turkey showing several strategic locations, including military bases, special operations centers, and a border town near Syria. They discover that a coup attempt is being planned inside the country, while a large military force is simultaneously positioned near the border, waiting to launch an attack. Polat Alemdar and his team, working with loyal state institutions, attempt to uncover and prevent both the internal coup and the external military operation. ==Cultural influence==