The Turkish TV series industry, called TV series in their homeland, became a global phenomenon in the early 1990s. For this, we need to thank “Magnificent Century” and its multi-layered nature, which is unusual for a wide audience: This historical melodrama achieved the biggest budget in the history of Turkish cinema by bringing together loves, palace intrigues and imperial wars. allowed the series to rise to the global level. The costs paid off: in the wake of the story about the golden age of the Ottoman Empire and difficult relationships, the demand for twisted, if sometimes ordinary, love stories, which Turkey knows how to do like nowhere else, has increased exponentially.
Now Eastern projects are bought by streaming services, and even the longest shows sell well in foreign countries (“Knock on my door” (episode 161), for example, was especially popular on Russian TikTok) – in sales, the Turks take second place after America. What should you watch to get closer to the famous TV series that fascinate the world and attention? In our selection of wonderful (and beautiful) Turkish projects!
“Kingfisher” (2022 –…)
A highly acclaimed melodrama with a classic “Cinderella” plot: a beauty and womanizer from a rich family falls in love with a girl from a poor but respectable family who never wants to get married. What does this have to do with a wedding? His grandfather, a respected businessman, decided to marry his unlucky grandson. One of the best Turkish TV series today, in terms of popularity it is not inferior to the same “Kapımı Çal”.
“Cranberry Sorbet” (2023)
This Turkish series, starring the stars of Magnificent Century (such as Evrim Alasya), tells the story of a couple who dreams of getting married. And the girl’s pregnancy only hastens the approach of the wedding. Only relatives get in the way of the couple’s sincere feelings.
“If you love me so much” (2023)
For those who haven’t seen enough of Kerem Bürsin aka Serkan Bolat in ‘Kapımı Çal’ (we are sure we will see his romantic roles more than once). Due to the death of his father, the main character returns to Istanbul, where he is entrusted not only with the management of a large company, but also with the care of his half-brothers and sisters. A young con artist, dreaming of finding his parents, enters the life of a rich heiress disguised as a nanny. Despite all the differences, the two have much in common: the burden of the past, family problems, and lastly, love.
“Nothing” (2021)
A crime drama about the best-educated individuals at one of the country’s most prestigious universities, heirs to fortunes with aspirations of a bright future. Chasing popularity on social networks and in the company of their peers, these men are ready to do anything.
“Game of Destiny” (2021)
The main character marries an Albanian, sincerely believing that she will be happy with her first love. True, it soon turned out that he married her only because of her Turkish citizenship, and he himself was cheating on his wife with his colleague. Deciding to win her husband’s love at all costs, she finds a job in his company, but not everything goes as she planned.
“50 square meters” (2021)
A dramatic thriller revolving around a criminal who is unique in the criminal world. After an altercation with an influential mobster, he finds himself under attack and hides in a small studio, introducing himself to the neighbors as the son of the recently deceased owner.
“The Girl Behind the Glass” (2021 – …)
Turkish series about love. The main character grew up in love and luxury, graduated from an elite university and now works as an architect at the Köroğlu Hotel, the owner of which she later marries. His life seems to be going perfectly, until secrets from his distant past suddenly emerge.
“Unfaithful” (2020)
Dramatic thriller in the spirit of the British TV series Doctor Foster. The main character is sure that she has an ideal family: her relationship with her husband is cloudless, and her little son is delighted with her successes. Everything comes crashing down when she discovers that her husband has several mistresses and plans to leave the family, taking all their property with him. Now he will have to play his own game to deceive the person he once loved.
“Knock on my door” (2020 – …)
You’ve probably come across quotes from this multi-part romantic comedy more than once on TikTok (we personally couldn’t resist watching it after that). The most interesting Turkish stories begin with the meeting of an ordinary girl and the handsome man everyone dreams of. “Knock on My Door” is no exception. So Eda works as a florist, helps her family, but she dreams of studying abroad and even getting the scholarship she has been waiting for for a long time. However, plans change when Serkan Bolat, an influential businessman, enters her life and offers her a deal. To realize her dream, she will have to pretend to be his bride.
By the way, after the shooting of the series, the leading actors Hande Erçel and Kerem Bürsin started dating in real life, but in the spring of this year, they started talking about their separation on the internet.
“Mr. Error” (2020 – …)
Joyful Ezgi dreams of meeting true love, but she has no luck in her relationships with men, until one day she meets a successful bar owner who doesn’t take anything seriously. After learning about the girl’s problems, he decides to help her and becomes her “mentor” in search of her feelings.
“Windy” (2019 – 2021)
For 27 years, the main character was raised by thoughts of revenge: he could neither love nor be happy. And the future soul mate, on the contrary, believes in miracles and eternal love. One day, their paths cross, but it turns out that everything is not that simple: she is the daughter of an enemy he swore to avenge.
“Personality” (2018)
A Turkish cocktail from the TV series “Dexter” and “Breaking Bad” tells the story of a retired former medical doctor who suffers from Alzheimer’s and begins killing his abusers.
“Early Bird” (2018 – 2019)
The main character gets up early every morning and opens the store in place of his sick father – hence the nickname early bird. She also has to look for a good job to avoid marrying her childhood friend. He finally manages to find a job at the publishing house where his sister works, but the adventure is just beginning.
“Black and White Love” (2017 – 2018)
A doctor who saves people’s lives is a ruthless killer who takes these lives without blinking. Their paths cross when he is forcibly taken to a country house to operate on an injured man, but his own life is put in danger when he accidentally witnesses a murder.
“Black Love” (2015 – 2017)
Turkish version of the Emmy award-winning Romeo and Juliet. Nihan is the daughter of a rich businessman who finds himself on the verge of bankruptcy, and Kemal is the son of a simple hairdresser. They belong to different worlds, but this does not prevent the emergence of true feelings, but on the way to “happily ever after” they will have to overcome obstacles and difficulties.
“Magnificent Century. Kösem Empire” (2015 – 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHci-RkKU5k
If you liked “Magnificent Century”, this series will delight you with even greater drama and emotional intensity.
Young Anastasia entered the harem of King Ahmed I of Greece and, thanks to her beauty, received the name Mekhpeyker (Moon-faced) and the name Kösem (Most Beloved) from the Sultan. She bore 13 children to Ahmed I for 14 years and came to power after her husband’s death. She managed to surround herself with powerful allies and later became the most famous Valide (the official title of the reigning sultan’s mother), holding the title of regent three times.
“Love for Rent” (2015 – 2016)
A comedy melodrama that tells the story of a young and attractive man, successful in the fashion business, who, for the sake of profit, wants to marry a girl who has just returned from America. But their interests are different: he dreams of shining in high society, but he does not like this idea. When he meets a waiter by chance in a cafe, he decides to use this to his advantage and kisses her in front of his aunt.
“Resurrection Ertuğrul” (2014 – 2019)
A large-scale historical epic (five seasons) about the life of Ertuğrul, father of the legendary Turkish ruler Osman I. He is also called the father of the Ottoman Empire: thanks to his courage, patience and perseverance, it was Ertuğrul. Who then began great conquests, forming a powerful force. Meanwhile, we did not forget about love.
“Korolek – a songbird” (2013 – 2014)
Historical melodrama, centered on Feride, who lives with her aunt and her son. After growing up, she unexpectedly falls in love with her cousin and her secret is learned by the villagers. And then it turned out that the feelings were mutual.
“Magnificent Century” (2011 – 2014)
Perhaps the most popular Turkish TV series. Based on real events, the film tells the passionate love affair between Suleiman the Magnificent and his Slavic slave Hürrem, who went down in history as Roksolana, and the military operations during the heyday of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Meanwhile, the rise of the Turkish TV series industry started with this series.
Source: People Talk
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
