Turkish series: a selection of different genres for those who finally want to dive into this magnificent world

By the end of 2022, the revenue of Turkish film companies and series export services amounted to $2 million. And in their homeland, producers of dizi (this is how serial TV shows from Turkey are called) are flourishing – according to statistics, 95% of Ottomans consider watching one or two series on TV is the best leisure activity.

Thanks to which Turkish TV series filled the whole world? It is not easy to give a definitive answer. Beautiful actors, costumes and scenery, complex plots, musical accompaniment and emotion that each Turkish series is filled with – all this gives the audience a very special pleasure, for which they appreciate dizi.

We have collected for you a selection of dizi of various genres – choose and check if Turkish serial magic works on you.

One of the most popular genres of Turkish TV series. At first glance, it may seem that they are similar, but not everything is so simple. Even in light comedies to watch over dinner, the Turkish masters of serial affairs manage to portray the chemistry between the characters, and the ending is far from always predictable. Light sensations after viewing and series full of dramatic events – this is the specificity of Turkish series in the genre of romantic comedy.

A light rom-com to watch in the evening: the girl Defne marries the rich Omer to repay his debts, but feelings appear between the characters who are increasingly aflame. A complex love line, luxurious views of Istanbul, bright outfits and enchanting music – the series absorbed all the features of Turkish broadcasts. An excellent choice to start getting to know them!

The early riser is Sanem, a cheerful girl who gets up at dawn to open the store in the morning in place of her sick father. Sanem is full of ambitions and dreams, for example, she wants to publish her book. To turn all her fantasies into reality, she gets a prestigious job, not suspecting at all that she will start an office romance with her boss there. A series with a simple but catchy, light and colorful plot – just what you need on the eve of summer!

Like “Early Bird”, it is a “flyer” – this is how fans of Turkish TV shows call series that are distinguished by their simple plot, the action of which unfolds during the season hot. Yet the love of Efsun and Emir, two plastic surgeons, here, as in the truest Turkish dramas, is warm, passionate and difficult.

The Turks are also professionals in this genre – the chases and fight scenes in the frame are colorful, the temperaments of the characters add tension, which makes the series really exciting. In Turkey, the two come up with new stories and shoot remakes and interpretations of well-known Western TV projects.

Police officer Kuzgun returns to his hometown of Istanbul after an absence of twenty years. Here, under mysterious circumstances, his father has been killed, and the man is sure he knows who is behind his death, and burns with a thirst for revenge. Here, love stories are intertwined with questions about the cost of a vendetta, reflections on childhood trauma, and bloody chases.

At the center of the story are the characters who ended up in a children’s prison. Once free, the guys separate, but the murder of one of their comrades brings them closer again. The story, based on real events, tells the story of what an innocent childish prank can cost. Mafia, mad chases, endless risks with your own life and, of course, love – where else in the Turkish TV show!

Martin Scorsese’s rendition of “The Departed” consistently ranks among the most-watched Turkish TV series. Sarp and Mert are the two top police academy graduates, who not only don’t like each other, but can’t stand each other. One “but” – the characters aren’t even aware of their blood relationship. A true detective thriller full of intrigue and mystery, it is suitable for both Turkish fans and those who have just decided to delve into the world of Turkish cinema.

It’s no secret that in the Turkish mentality, the family takes first place. Of course, this is reflected in Turkish cinema. Here are the family secrets, and the enmity of large families, and the long family epics – everything we love!

Fazilet is a poor widow who understands that the only way out of poverty is to successfully marry her beautiful daughters. Hazan and Ece are complete opposites, one is a fighting “tomboy”, the other is sweet shy and his mother’s favorite. At some point, another family appears on the scene – the Egemens, whose father has two unmarried sons. This is where the family passions, characteristic of the Turdisi, begin to boil and a cunning plan appears in Fazilet’s head.

The series is about the “skeletons in the closet” of two Turkish families. The stark contrast between the luxurious life of the rich in Istanbul and that of the family in Gaziantep, a colorful but poor city in southern Turkey, catches the eye from the first shots. Well, where without family intrigues and, of course, love affairs!

Miran and Reyan are local Romeos and Juliets. The heroes’ families have been at war for a long time and Miran is tormented by a thirst for revenge for the death of his parents. In order to restore justice, he intends to seduce Reyyan and marry her in order to get closer to the enemy. However, Windy is a drama about love, so when it matters most, things don’t go as planned…

Keep the suspense going – the Turks really know how to do it! In Turkish drama series, social issues are raised and love conflicts are distorted. And even superheroes meet there!

This is the first Turkish series produced in collaboration with Netflix – a simple young man Hakan becomes a real hero, protecting his hometown – Istanbul – from monsters. The plot is reminiscent of a classic Marvel movie about superheroes, but for Turkish cinema it is something completely fresh and unusual. And Okan Yalabyk, known to everyone for his role as Ibrahim Pasha in The Magnificent Century, looks cool as a local superhero. For those who find it difficult to immediately switch to the particular world of Turdisi, “Defender” is an excellent choice!

Incredibly tense drama, vaguely reminiscent of the plot of The Count of Monte Cristo. The protagonist, unjustly, of course, condemned, goes to prison, from which he emerges a completely different person. The series constantly keeps the intrigue and speaks of the complexity of choice, death and true love – Ramis, the uncle of the protagonist, expresses many of these thoughts, acting as a certain character-reasoner. “Ezel” retains the characteristic Turkish flavor, but nevertheless clearly stands out from other series due to the controversial protagonist.

In television projects, the Turks raise not only internal, but also social conflict themes. Many works are devoted to the place of women in society, to gender inequality. The series “Guilty Without Guilt” is about rape. Fatmagül, the main character, was attacked by three men at the same time, but the perpetrators try to avoid punishment – for this, one of them marries the heroine, and the trial is over. The girl lives not only with mental trauma, but also with a broken fate – her reputation is tarnished and she cannot escape her husband’s captivity.

The historical layer is very important for Turkish television culture – the same “Magnificent Age” was created based on the events of the heyday of the Ottoman Empire. The series cannot be said to be completely authentic, but they convey the spirit of the corresponding era and underline the importance of knowing the history of the state for the mentality in Turkey.

The series is based on the novel of the same name by Nermin Bezmen and chronicles the time of the October Revolution. The love story of Crimean Tatar Seit and Alexandra, a Russian aristocrat, who left Russia together to settle in Istanbul. Part of the shooting took place in St. Petersburg and Alushta – the Russian viewer will certainly recognize their places of origin, the other part – in lively and colorful Istanbul. The series not only tells a tender love story, but also dynamically and colorfully portrays different cultures, emphasizing that a feeling unites everyone anyway.

The series transports viewers to the time of the birth of the Ottoman Empire: Ertugrul is the father of Osman I, one of the founders of the state. The individual fates of people are woven into the historical context, the campaigns of conquest resound with lines of love. Sets and costumes should be noted separately: luxurious outfits are sewn by hand, and horse camps are made in full size – you will definitely feel the spirit of that time.

The sequel to the epic about the Ertugrul dynasty, which occupies the same high position on streaming services as the first installment of the saga. This time, Ertugrul’s son, Osman I, heir to the throne, is at the center of the story. It is thanks to the reign of Osman that the country will become a great power – a series about what preceded this, about the origins not only of the state, but also of Islam, and most importantly – about humanity .