Turkey: The Rise of Erdogan's Empire

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has grown into a political giant, reshaping Turkey more than any leader in recent times. This fascinating political documentary charts his rise from humble roots to a powerful, controversial ruler. How did he reach such heady heights, what methods has he used to quell dissent, what controversies have dogged his regime and how far is he willing to go to hang onto power?

Watch Turkey: The Rise of Erdogan's Empire and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

Turkey: The Rise of Erdogan's Empire on BBC Select

EP 1: Rise To Power
The early political life of Erdogan including imprisonment and a remarkable comeback.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is one of the most powerful rulers in Turkish history. But where did he come from? This fascinating documentary charts his rise from the popular mayor of Istanbul to a period in prison and banishment from political life. He soon reversed this ban and became a pioneering Prime Minister. But after 10 years of rule, a massive protest movement threatened to topple his government.

Ep 2: Facing Dissent
Erdogan cracks down hard on dissent, becoming the most powerful leader of modern Turkey.

After a decade in office Erdogan, once a popular ruler in Turkey, now faced a massive protest movement, coupled with a corruption scandal. This compelling political documentary looks at how Erdogan quashed dissent and consolidated his power, eventually becoming President. But soon a violent coup would put his life in danger. How would Erdogan survive this latest attempt to oust him from office?

More documentaries you might like...

Subscribe to BBC Select for hundreds of hours of thought - provoking, award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond.

Image of Ukraine flag colors and buildings in Mariupol

Mariupol: The People's Story

The people of Mariupol share powerful, shocking stories of bravery and loss in a war zone.

Image of Putin wearing sun glasses reflecting the British and US flags

Putin vs The West

The inside story on how Western leaders have struggled to deal with Putin over the years.

Stream House of Saud on BBC Select

House of Saud

Meet the prince pledging to change the world in the House of Saud

India: the Modi Question

Investigating tensions between the Indian Prime Minister and the country’s Muslim minority

Inside Taiwan: Standing Up To China

Inside Taiwan: Standing Up To China

Could China's plans regarding Taiwan put the rest of the world in extreme danger?

Rage Against the Regime: Iran

Rage Against the Regime: Iran

Extraordinary stories from eyewitnesses and survivors of the mass protests in Iran.

The Interview: Yulia Navalnaya

The Interview: Yulia Navalnaya

Yulia Navalny talks about her husband, Alexei Navalny, and reveals her future plans.

October 7th: One Year On

October 7th: One Year On

Four families in Israel and Gaza, the aftermath of October 7th and the resulting war.

Biographical documentaries

From world leaders to the kings and queens of pop culture, BBC Select tells the true-life stories of some of the most influential people of our time.

Bruce Springsteen: In His Own Words

Bruce Springsteen: In His Own Words

An exclusive, revealing insight into the life of the rock icon Bruce Springsteen.

alexander mcqueen

A Life In Ten Pictures: Alexander McQueen

The story of Alexander McQueen.

Watch A Life In Ten Pictures: Amy Winehouse on BBC Select

A Life In Ten Pictures: Amy Winehouse

The story of Amy Winehouse told through 10 photos

Stream Reclaiming Amy on BBC Select

Reclaiming Amy

The friends and family of Amy Winehouse reveal the truth about the British music icon.

Image of Roberta Flack in Sepia tone

Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly

The astonishing story of one of the biggest music stars of the 1970s: Roberta Flack.

The Real Mo Farah

The Real Mo Farah

Sir Mo Farah reveals the shocking truth about his childhood and journey to Olympic golds.

Abba

ABBA: Against The Odds

Rare footage reveals ABBA's journey to pop superstardom, told in their own words.

Coco Chanel: Unbuttoned

Coco Chanel: Unbuttoned

The story of fashion icon Coco Chanel, whose designs still represent style and power.

Trending documentaries

Trending and popular shows to watch on BBC Select

Abba

ABBA: Against The Odds

Rare footage reveals ABBA's journey to pop superstardom, told in their own words.

Decades that Defined Us

Decades That Defined Us

A far-reaching journey through the Sixties, Seventies, and Eighties using archive footage.

Royal Wives at War

Royal Wives at War

How divorcee Wallis Simpson’s battle with the Royal Family changed world events.

Stuff The British Stole

Stuff the British Stole

Marc Fennell investigates artifacts from the British Empire and the impact of colonialism.

Al-Fayed–Predator at Harrod

Al-Fayed–Predator at Harrods

Investigating alleged serious sex abuse of Harrods staff by former boss Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Phil Spencer's Stately Homes

Phil Spencer's Stately Homes

Phil Spencer takes an exclusive peek inside Britain’s most extravagant country houses.

The Apartheid Killer

The Apartheid Killer

The shocking true story of a serial killer on the loose in 80s South Africa.

The Kingdom: The World's Most Powerful Prince

The Kingdom: The World's Most Powerful Prince

The extraordinary rise of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, heir to the throne of Saudi Arabia.

BBC Select Free Trial

BBC Select is available on Amazon Prime Video Channels, the Apple TV app and The Roku Channel for only $5.99 a month. Start a 7-day free trial and watch a range of acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond. Restrictions apply*.