Okan Yalabik – The Protector

By starrymag | July 30, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) On the television front, I am part of the cast of the local adaptation of “House” as Wilson’s character.

On stage, I am in “39 Steps,” a play that has been on for five consecutive seasons; and in “As if Met In The World (Dunyada Karsilasmis Gibi),” a play that is being staged for three seasons.

So, quite busy. [smiles]

 

Q) Please tell us what is new this season on “The Protector” and with Faysal.

 

A) It is very exciting for us, as this is the season where we will get deeper insights into the characters and revelations about the essence of the story-line. As for my character, Faysal, although he is an immortal he deeply feels all the pain that a mortal does feel; in this sense, it is quite tragic. In this season, immortality starts becoming an issue for him…

 

Q) What continues to challenge you about playing this character?

 

A) It is truly a fine line knowing deep down that you are immortal and acting in physical and emotional contact with all the mortals and trying to balance this feeling of immortality without being grotesque on screen. But it is this particular challenge that makes playing this character so special for me.

 

Q) Going into this season, was there anything you did physically to get ready?

 

A) No physical preparation was done, on purpose… As Faysal is more about the non-physical, ethereal if you will, aspects of life I chose to concentrate more on these more abstract qualities of my character.

 

Q) What are some episodes that you think viewers should especially pay attention to?

 

A) All episodes have a separate taste and zest in themselves. I, personally, cannot choose. They are so intertwined until the very last scene that it is impossible to single out an episode.

 

Q) With lots of action to the show, how do you shake off a long day of filming?

 

A) Relaxing at home after a long day is truly a blessing and quite enough for me. I have a music studio at home that takes away all the stress and fatigue.

 

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from shooting “The Protector?”

 

A) In general, we have great fun on set. For me, personally, I am glad to have met and worked with this great team, both on and off camera, most of them for the first time.

There was instant rapport with all the actors from day one. Everyone had done their homework well, and took their job seriously.

It’s also been a privilege to have worked with our DOP, Gokhan Tiryaki, who is a great name in the industry, and truly deserving of his fame. In addition, it is been a great experience working with our young, eager and very talented directors. Their approach to filmmaking has made me excited and happy.

 

Q) What do you think it is that makes this show such a fan favorite?

 

A) I think, first and foremost, it has a great story-line that successfully goes between the here and now and the eternal. It has a great group of cast members that fit their role perfectly; and the off-camera team is exceptional. But maybe, above all, the fact that all takes place in Istanbul, this ancient and yet modern city, makes it very special. I truly believe that the city is one of the core sales points of the show, if not the main one…

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) I would like to thank them for their support. As it is our dream to tell them new stories all the time, it is very important for us actors to know that the viewers are there to watch, appreciate and/or criticize our stories, but are there nonetheless.

It is truly a joint effort, a co-operation in fact, that keeps these and new stories come to life. So, thank you…