I am no stranger to watching foreign movies & TV. Cinema nouveau was my jam during my 20’s. And while not all the movies that were shown there were foreign language, it was really the only place I could get my fix for foreign film before the likes of Netflix came along. But enough about that, let’s talk Turkish television.
I was mindlessly enjoying TikTok one day when I came across a video speaking about how awesome (and addictive) Turkish Tv shows are. And of course I was like “How do I get into this?”. My addictive personality needed it! This prompted me to search Netflix for the shows mentioned in the video I saw. Unfortunately nothing was found, which lead me to do LOTS of Googling & of course more Tik Tok video searches.
I’ve been in this love affair with Turkish TV for a few months now, & I think I have a few tips, & more importantly recommendations that I think you will appreciate.
Firstly, I believe there is some sort of censorship when it comes to television in Turkey. All kinds of alcohol and smoking scenes are generally blurred, although I didn’t find this as much on Netflix. Blood & wounds were also not shown much, but were instead blurred. Then when it comes to kissing (on the lips) & sex, there was little to none of that. This is considered to be obscene and “against moral values”. For the most part, sex is implied. For example, a couple walks into a hotel room, & the next morning the bed is all crumpled. Although, in one of the Netflix shows I watched there was a couple who were seen rolling around in bed, so I don’t know exactly how strict these rules are; or if they may rather be suggestions instead. Toxic masculinity is a common occurrence in most of these shows, be warned. Lastly, let’s talk about the length of each episode. Let’s just say I was shook that most shows run each episode for at least an hour, sometimes longer!
What I’ve watched so far…
Yer Gök Ask (Love Is In The Air)
While I find the acting in this show extremely cringe-worthy, I have enjoyed the show quite a bit. It follows 2 sisters; one grief-stricken from the loss of her child, and the other who is for lack of a better word, an opportunist. Grief-stricken Toprak is hired by a wealthy family to be the wet nurse for the motherless son of Yusuf, a handsome businessman. Her sister Havva falls in love with Yusuf, & the rest of the story is pretty much just lots of drama.
Where to watch: Netflix
Episodes: 112 episodes are split over 3 seasons. I’m only 42 episodes in, & to be honest I’m not captivated enough to watch the show every day, so I watch it every now & then, which is probably why I’m not that far in.
Duration per episode: 45 minutes – 1 hour.
Sol Yanim (My left side)
This is very much a fall from grace storyline. A mother & daughter adjusting to living a life disgraced by the wrong doing of the husband/father. The daughter, Serra is tasked to tutor the rich, & handsome Selim. The show is very much also about the haves & have-nots, which is actually a common occurrence is Turkish TV. This show was so good to watch, & very much binge-worthy. I can’t wait for more!
Where to watch: YouTube | Playlist HERE
Episodes: 12 episodes in season 1. Season 2 will hopefully be on the way soon.
Duration per episode: 2 hours
Iyi Günde Kötü Günde (Happily Ever After)
Wedding planner Leyla was left at the altar by Sarp a few years back, & they meet for the first since then when she has to plan his wedding to her bosses daughter. Talk about awkward! The show follows the characters learning how to interact with each other after the heartbreak that is still very fresh for Leyla. They also have to fight the feelings they have for each other, as well as hide that they even know each other from Sarp’s fiancé. There was this weird day dreaming stuff very now & then, but overall it was a very cute watch.
Tik Tok video 1 | Tik Tok video 2
Where to watch: YouTube | Playlist HERE
Episodes: 6 episodes. Cancelled after 1 season. I was very sad, but still happy there was some closure.
Duration per episode: 2 hours
Siyah Beyaz Aşk (Black & White Love)
This is by far the best show I have watched thus far. Siyah Beyaz Aşk follows Asli, a doctor who found herself in a bad situation & is forced to marry Ferhat, a handsome mafia enforcer/leader. I was extremely captivated by the show, & by the love story. Maybe I need therapy, but I was low-key rooting for this forced marriage to work out from the very beginning. The actress who plays Asli, Birce Akalay is also from Love Is In The Air mentioned above. Really loved the chemistry here. Fans have been rooting for these two to be back on screen again since the show ended in 2018.
Tik Tok Video 1 | Tik Tok Video 2
Where to watch: Turkish123.com | Be warned there are like 10 ads/pop ups before you can actually get to watch the show.
Episodes: 32 episodes. Cancelled but gave us closure. I was happy.
Duration per episode: at least 2 hours.
Kördüğüm (Intersection)
I started watching this show, purely because I needed a fix of Ibrahim Çelikkol after completing Siyah Beyaz Aşk. This man won me over as a violent mafia man, & now he’s playing a single father in love with yet another doctor. I had to watch it lol. The show follows Ali Nejat, who just found out he is the father to a son, Kaan. This is a love story that examines modern relationships, & also addresses the rich/poor divide. I’ve really enjoyed the show, but decided to Google something I shouldn’t have, & now I’m annoyed & don’t want to watch until I get over this feeling. Talk about invested!
Where to watch: Netflix
Episodes: 31 episodes over 3 seasons. I am unsure if there is a 4th season coming.
Duration per episode: 2 – 2.5 hours
Where to watch Turkish TV dramas?
Turkfans| Free or Paid membership
YouTube
Netflix
What’s on my WATCHLIST…
I’ve included a few Tik Tok video links for the shows so you can see a quick snippet.
- Son Yaz (Last Summer) | Tik Tok
- Erkenci Kuş (Daydreamer) | Tik Tok
- Sadakatsiz (Unfaithful) | Tik Tok
- Kiralık Aşk (Love for Rent) | Tik Tok
- Masumiyet (Innocence) | Tik Tok
- Yeni hayat (New Life) | Tik Tok
- Güneşin Kızları (Sun’s Girls) | Tik Tok
- Zemheri (Love Storm) | Tik Tok
- Halka (The Circle) | Tik Tok
- Doğduğun Ev Kaderindir (My Home my Destiny) | Tik Tok
- Hayat Bazen Tatlidir (Bitter Sweet Life) | Tik Tok
- Kis Gunesi (Winter Sun) | Tik Tok
- Zalim Istanbul (Ruthless City) | Tik Tok
- Afili Aşk (Love Trap) | Tik Tok
- Zümrüdüanka (Phoenix) | Tik Tok
- Menajerimi ara (Call My Manager) | Tik Tok
- Dayan Yüreğim (Stay in my Heart) | Tik Tok | Tik Tok 2
- Sen çal kapimi (You Knock On My Door) | Tik Tok 1 | Tik Tok 2
- Aşk Laftan Anlamaz (Love Doesn’t Understand Words) | Tik Tok
Tik Tok accounts I follow that share Turkish TV drama content:
This was so fun for me to do, I hope it has been helpful for you! I will definitely do more of these when I watch some of the shows on my watchlist. And please do let me know if you have watched any shows based on my recommendations.
Thanks for the list & recommendations! I currently watch 3 different series which run on Etv and eExtra which are dubbed in Afrikaans. Loved Siyah Beyaz Aşk too!!
I could so see myself watching Siyah Beyaz Ask again soon. I haven’t watched anything else that came close to it so far. So glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 YAY!
Watched Intersection a while back and obsessed is an understatement… I did a marathon over a weekend and due to the lengthy episodes I managed 2.5 seasons. This was pure bliss, but I was hungry by Monday morning, needed proper food
Right now Im too mad at Ali Nejat to watch LOLOLOL. But I could def see myself doing a marathon at a later staged once I’ve completed the show. Siyah Beyaz Ask is def on my radar for a marathon session soon. I genuinely enjoyed it. I think you’d like it if you enjoyed Intersection.
I loved Dolunay and Kara Sevda..going to watch your recommendations
Been hooked on these Turkish series, their storylines are so good.
Loving the soaps on e and e extra, they in afrikaans my fav being bittersoet, doodsonders and stiletto vendetta. Watched Black and White love on there aswell it was called Bergeeters. Have you watched the ones in Afrikaans Brett? I love the afrikaans they use and enjoy the dialogue
Don’t laugh but I don’t speak a word of Afrikaans 🙈
I’ve heard lots about the soaps you are speaking about on e. Everyone seems to rave about them!