Winter’s here and diziland has a whole host of new series ready to roll out for excited audiences as well as some changes to current shows. Here’s the latest on what’s new, what’s in the making and a listing of some of the shows we’ve been following.
First let’s bid farewell to Zumuruduanka, Maria Ile Mustafa and Cocukluk, the three shows that have run their course. Also, we have confirmation that the popular mafia drama series Cukur starring Aras Bulut Iyinemli is expected to end its four season stint in May of 2021 despite its consistently high ratings.
NEW SERIES
50m2 (Netflix)
Launches globally January 27, 2021
Getting a second chance is easy, but making use of it is more difficult than one thinks. Gölge is doing the dirty work of Servet Nadir, whom he is raised by. He, who does not remember anything about his childhood, pursues the photograph that ties him to his past. Gölge, escaping with the secrets of Servet Nadir, takes refuge in a 50 square meter tailor shop in a neighborhood named Güzelce. The inhabitants of the neighborhood believe that he is Adem, son of Adil, the tailor who has just recently died. No matter how challenging the neighborhood is, Gölge will change the neighborhood and the neighborhood will change Gölge.
Produced by BKM, directed by Burak Aksak and Selcuk Aydemir, starring Engin Ozturk.
Marasli (ATV)
Mondays beginning January 11, 2021
Maraşlı is a former Special Forces soldier turned secondhand bookstore owner. The turning point in his life is the day his daughter Zeliş is shot leaving Marasli’s with the only aim of bringing his sick daughter back to health. One day, the beautiful Mahur Türel enters Marasli’s bookshop and on that same day Mahur involuntarily gets involved in an incident. Maraşlı saves Mahur’s life and from that day on their fates are linked.
Produced by TIMS&B, Directed by Kudret Sabanci, Starring Burak Deniz and Alina Boz
Son Yaz (Fox TV)
Fridays beginning January 1, 2021
Idealistic Public Prosecutor Selim receives an offer he cannot refuse from organized crime leader Selcuk Taskin, whom he sent to prison. Selcuk will testify in the prosecutor’s case, but in return, he asks the prosecutor to protect his son. When Selim takes young man to his hometown for protection the excitement begins.
Produced by O3 Medya, directed by Burak Arliel starring Alperen Duymaz, Ali Atay, Hafsanur Sancaktutan, Funda Eryigit
Seni Cok Bekledim (Star TV)
Coming soon!
Adapted from a true story, the series is beautifully filmed and will incorporate different geographies from Qatar to Istanbul. Kadir and Ayliz live in tangent over the years but enter each other’s lives in an unexpected moment, witnessing a miracle together. At the right time, in the right place, they are drawn to the limits that the invisible hand of the universe has in store for them. They meet to create their own stories and experience their own miracles.
Co-produced by DNZ Films and Skala Yapim, directed by Sahin Altuğ and starring Özcan Deniz and İrem Helvacıoğlu
MOVIES
Azizler (Stuck Apart) (Netflix Feature Film)
Launches globally on January 8, 2021
Azizler depicts the story of Aziz, going through an existential crisis after longing for his youth. He is not happy with his work nor his private life which has been hijacked by his sister and her family. His relationship with his girlfriend after 4 years is also not in the best place and he feels the desire to end that too! He wants his freedom back and when he least expects it he will soon come across a chance to rescue himself from the black hole he’s trapped in. However he realizes this turns him into a pathological liar to a point there’s no turning back.
Written by Berkun Oya, starring Engin Gunaydın, Haluk Bilginer, Binnur Kaya, Oner Erkan, Fatih Artman and Irem Sak.
Mucadele Cikmazi (Struggle Alley) (Netflix Feature Film)
Will launch globally on March 15, 2021
In an impoverished, old neighborhood in Istanbul, brutally shaped by emigration, Mehmet is a cherished fellow who runs the solid waste warehouse in the neighborhood. He helps everyone in need – especially homeless children and teenagers since he was one too. One day Mehmet meets an 8 year old boy (Ali) who suddenly appears in his best mate Gonzales’ waste sack. Mehmet suddenly has the urge to reunite the boy with his parents; however, he doesn’t realize he becomes attached to this 8 year old child.
Produced by OGM Pictures, directed by Can Ulkay and starring Cagatay Ulusoy, together with Emir Ali Dogrul
Leyla Everlasting (Netflix) (Feature Film)
Launched December 4, 2020 globally
One marriage, two loves, three troubles, nine lives Leyla…Adem (Haluk Bilginer), decided to end his 20 years marriage with Leyla (Demet Akbag) for his gorgeous mistress Nergis (Elcin Sangu). But it seems that it is nearly impossible to get rid of Leyla naturally. And if he doesn’t find a solution, his forbidden lover Nergis will slip through his fingers very soon. Beside his love life, Adem has to deal with Mr. Mahdum (Firat Tanis) who is after Adam’s antique handwritten manuscript and his jealous lawyer Greed (Alican Yucesoy).
By Ezel Akay…. Starring Haluk Bilginer, Demet Akbag, Elcin Sangu, FFiratırat Tanis and Alican Yucesoy.
IN THE WORKS
Kibris Ada Kisi (TRT1)
There’s little information about this new upcoming series, but we have been so impressed with Serkan Cayoglu in series like Yeni Hayat and Halka, that we thought we’d list it as a placeholder.
Produced by TMC Film (Muhteşem İkili, Nefes Nesefe) Directed by Hakan İnan Starring Serkan Cay and Pelin Karahan.
The series will consist of 26 60-minute long episodes and filming will begin in January.
Working Title: Club (Netflix)
The series tells the story of Matilda who is a seamstress working at the most revolutionary nightclub in 1955 Istanbul, and the mother of Rasel who was unaware of her mother’s existence up until the day Matilda was pardoned and released from prison. Matilda tries to manage the super-egos of club manager Orhan, her boss Celebi and visionary artist Selim meanwhile trying to mend the relationship with her daughter who is about to fall for the notorious casanova Fistik Ismet. A heaven for the customer, a hell hole for the workers, the club will transform with Matilda’s arrival. It will become a home for those who live another character, maybe the best family is the one that’s formed by those who have never had a family.
Produced by O3 Medya, directed by Zeynep Gunay Tan and Seren Yuce and starring Gokce Bahadir, Baris Arduc and Salih Bademci
Bir Denizalti Hikayesi (A Submarine Story) (Netflix)
This fast-paced action adventure story is brought to life by Atasay Koc, Cansu Coban and Sami Berat Marcali and Jason George as the lead writer. A free-spirited dive instructor and marine biologist, Arman, is set to join in a research mission aboard a submarine. However, when the world is threatened by a natural catastrophe from solar rays, Arman and his science crew need to get onboard a military sub to survive. As Arman and his crew try to figure out what’s happening to the world he also questions what the true mission of this submarine is. This Netflix Original is expected to have 8 episodes and will begin filming at the end of January. More details here.
Produced by OGM Pictures, directed by Tolga Karacelik and starring Kivanc Tatlitug
Love 101 Season 2 (Netflix)
Season 1 ends on a time jump, where Eda and Isik are remorsefully reminiscing on lost chances and a life story that may not have done justice to an idealistic stance they took when they were teenagers. Season 2 will take up where it left off, with a focus on the continuing life stories of the five friends, Kerem, Osman, Eda, Isik and Sinan, who in the first season became partners in crime as they take a stand against a system that often punishes liberty of thought.
Filming for Season 2 has been completed but Netflix is yet to announce a release date.
Produced by Ay Yapim, directed by Umut Aral and starring Mert Yazıcıoglu, Kubilay Aka, Alina Boz, Selahattin Pasalı, İpek Filiz Yazıcı, Pınar Deniz, Kaan Urgancıoglu and more.
Yesilcam (BluTV)
The CEO of BluTV suggests that the show will go to the 1960s and portray that magical period of Turkish filmmaking by focusing on the life of a filmmaker, Semih Ateş, who says “I make a movie, patients get better, the season changes”. The 2 season long series of 20 episodes (10 episodes per season), is already written and will go into filming on January 10, 2021. It will tell a “story of rebirth during the Yesilcam golden age”. More details on the project available here.
Produced by ES Films, directed by Cagan Irmak and starring Cagatay Ulusoy, Afra Saracoglu, Gungor Bayrak, Ayta Sozeri, Altan Erkekli, and more.
AWESOME CURRENT SHOWS
Sadakatsiz (Kanal D)
New Episodes beginning Wednesday January 13, 2021
This well written and well acted series is an adaptation of the BBC series Doctor Foster. Just like all Turkish adaptations, it’s far more intricate than the original. Asya is a successful doctor and she has a perfect life with her husband and her son.But after finding a blonde hair on her husband’s scarf, everything changes. She investigates her husband’s cheating and realizes all the people she trusted in her life have lied to her. That’s when all the fun begins!
Produced by Medyapim and Mednova, directed by Neslihan Yesilurt, Benal Tahiri and Levent Turkan and starring Cansu Dere and Caner Cindoruk
Alev Alev (Flames of Fate) (Show TV)
New Episodes beginning Thursday January 7, 2021
Three women, three fates… Cemre tries to escape her violent marriage. Rüya is a privileged socialite. Çiçek loses her identity and her beauty. Their paths cross during a tragic fire and nothing is the same after that. This is a story of finding yourself, continuing on the road to discovery, and seeking justice and true love. You can read a review here.
Produced by Ay Yapim (Kerem Catay), features the music of Toygar Isikli and is directed by Ahmet Katiksiz, starring Hazar Erguclu, Dilan Deniz and Demet Evgar
Sen Cal Kapimi (Fox TV)
Saturdays 8 pm Turkey time
The hit romantic comedy Sen Cal Kapimi follows the magical love story between Serkan Bolat (Kerem Bursin), a rigid and unyielding businessman, and Eda Yildiz (Hande Ercel), a free spirited and ambitious student. Although Eda hates Serkan for bringing her academic career to an abrupt halt, she finds herself contractually bound to him in a fake engagement. Will she win back her scholarship, and will Serkan stave off a threat to his family’s holding company, or will they just fall hopelessly in love in spite of themselves? Read an early review here.
Produced by MF Yapim, directed by Altan Dönmez and starring Kerem Bursin and Hande Ercel
Kirmizi Oda (TV8)
Friday, January 1st 8 pm Turkey time
The events of the series revolve around a psychological clinic, and the stories and attitudes of a group of psychiatric patients who frequent it, and who lived different events between pain and joy. The series is narrated by one of the psychiatrists who own the clinic and supervises their follow-up in her effort to treat them. Kirmizi Oda or “The Red Room” is a social drama drawn from real events and issues. It is adapted from a book entitled “Kirmizi Oda”. Read our review here.
Produced by OGM Pictures, directed by Cem Karci, starring Binnur Kaya
Masumlar Apartmani (TRT1)
Tuesdays 8pm Turkey time
On the outside Han is a young, handsome and charismatic businessman, but on the inside he is filled with his family’s painful memories and tragedy. After returning from the U.S., he devotes his life to his sisters and his father. His sisters suffer from psychological problems ranging from OCD to bedwetting to self harm as a tragic consequence of their childhood traumas. Han isolates himself from any social activity or any kind of joy until the day he sees Inci and immediately falls in love with her. For the first time in his life, Han will seek out his happiness. Read our review here.
Produced by OGM Pictures, directed by Çagri Vila Lostuvali, Çigdem Bozali, Ender Mihlar and starring Farah Zeynet Abdullah and Birkan Sokullu
CONSISTENT OLD TIMERS
Hercai (ATV)
New episodes beginning Sunday January 10, 2021
This fairy tale love story is completing its third season and has a loyal Turkish and international fanbase. Hercai tells the impossible love story of Reyyan, granddaughter to the Şadoğlus, one of Midyat’s most powerful families, and Miran, a wealthy businessman who seeks to avenge the death of his parents. After a rocky second season, the third season took off with fresh blood (directors and actors), fresh story lines and a converging of secrets. The series has moved from its long standing Friday night time slot to Sundays. You can read more about the series here, here and here.
Produced by Mia Yapim, directed by Ali Ilhan, starring Akin Akinözü, Ebru Şahin, Ayda Aksel, Serhat Tutumluer
Sefirin Kizi (Star TV)
Mondays at 8pm Turkey time
Sancar is a son of a sharecrop farmer and Nare is the daughter of an ambassador. They love each other since childhood and have a dream of marrying each other. When they do marry, Sancar discovers that Nare is a victim of rape. His unexpectedly harsh response upon learning this, causes Nare to leave on their wedding night.
Some say she fell into the sea and died, some say the sapphire girl fled to Europe. A local poet makes a song for them and their unhappy story becomes folklore. After 8 years, Sancar decides to move on with his life, but Nare appears on his wedding day with his daughter Melek. A review for Season 1 is here.
Produced by O3 Medya, NGM, directed by Emre Kabakusak, and starring Engin Akyurek, Neslihan Atagul Dogulu and Uraz Kaygilaroglu
Bir Zamanlar Cukurova (ATV)
Thursday nights at 8 pm Turkey time
This series is completing its third season amid consistently high ratings with Turkish audiences. The series is set in the 1970s and is based on the movie “Days of Heaven”. A young couple dreaming of marriage decide to board a train to seek their destiny. In order to avoid gossip they conceal their identity and introduce themselves as siblings. When they arrive at their destination, Adana, they seek employment at a farm owned by a wealthy landowner and his mother. It is here that their story unfolds.
Produced by TIMS&B directed by Evren Karabiyik Murat Saraçoglu and Faruk Teber, starring Hilal Altinbilek and Murat Unalmis
A.Riza (Show TV)
New episodes begin Sunday January 10
Ali Riza is a simple taxi driver preparing for his sister’s wedding. Halide Gurkan is the daughter of an ex mafia chieftain. Their paths cross one fateful night when Halide gets into his cab after a quarrel with her mafia cousin. When Ali Riza intervenes his life is changed forever. The fatal shooting of his sister after this intervention leads Ali Riza down the path of the criminal underworld. But Halide’s presence complicates everything. This exciting mafia revenge drama is completing its first successful season. You can read a review of the series here.
Produced by O3 Turkey Medya, directed by Recai Karagöz and Levent Kar and starring Tolga Saritas, Ayca Aysin Turan and Ahmet Mumtaz Taylan
Ramo (Show TV)
New episodes begin Friday January 8
Ramo tells the story of a close knit family from Adana who run afoul of big Istanbul crime bosses. After the death of his sister, Ramo, the leader of the family vows vengeance and promises to do whatever necessary to destroy the Istanbul mafia. He moves his family from Adana to Istanbul and climbs up the mafia ladder. Helping him along the way, sometimes with his knowledge and sometimes without his knowledge is Sibel, the daughter of the crime boss who killed his father. This mafia love story which is completing its successful second season, is packed with action, adventure and romance. You can read a review of the first season here.
Produced by BKM, directed by Çagatay Tosun, Yagiz Alp Akaydin, Levent Kar and Mustafa Sevki Dogan and starring Murat Yildirim, Esra Bilgic and Yigit Ozsener.
Dogdugun Ev Kaderindir (TV8)
Wednesdays 8 pm Turkey time
The script is based on a true story and adapted from the novel by Gulseren Budayicioglu named “The Girl behind the Glass” (Camdaki Kiz). “My home my destiny” (Dogdugun Ev Kaderindir) is about Zeynep who comes from a poor family but has been raised by a wealthy family. Even though Zeynep’s biological parents are both alive, she lives with her foster-parents in order to have a good education. Her biological mother is a cleaning lady for her foster parents and her biological father is a construction worker. The series explores the dynamics of Zeynep’s guilt about her secret life and her biological parents’ fear of losing their daughter. And to complicate matters Zeynep must choose between Mehdi a ruffian whom she is attracted to and Faruk her high society boyfriend. Torn between her past and future, Zeynep faces a critical decision. The series is completing its second season with consistent ratings. You can read our latest review here.
Produced by OGM Medya, directed by Cagri Bayrak and Murat Öztürk, starring Ibrahim Celikkol and Demet Ozdemir
SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Akinci (ATV)
Beginning Friday January 1, 2021
Turkey’s superhero Akinci (Raider) makes its debut on January 1, 2021
Fatih is an idealistic history teacher who on the day of his graduation learns about his family history from his father’s friend Orhan – that his father was an ‘Akıncı Bey’* of Ottoman descent who was assassinated. This sacred duty, which has been going on for centuries, will now continue through Fatih. A history teacher by day and Akinci by night, with Orhan’s help, Fatih wages war against the criminal underworld that pose a threat to his country. Viewed as a folk hero, the dark forces he opposes take action to eliminate him. At the same time, the government security forces are out to stop Akıncı. His path crosses with Nergis a successful journalist trying to reveal Akinci’s identity when he saves her life on a mission and the two become close. Unbeknownst to him, Special operations police officer Cüneyt, who is part of the security forces after Akıncı, is in love with Nergis and a love triangle is created. To complicate matters even more, Nergis’ father Cevdet is one of those responsible for the evils across the country.
Produced by NTC Medya, directed by Veli Celik and starring Şükrü Özyıldız and Büşra Develi
*Akincis (raiders) were advance troops of the Ottoman Empire’s military. In war their main role was to act as advance troops on the front lines and demoralize the marching opposing army by using guerrilla tactics, and to put them in a state of confusion and shock.
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Thanks!
Thank you for the update!!