The universe of Turkish soap operas and series is only growing, and it is now possible to find them more and more on the main streaming services. Check out 19 suggestions to watch right now and find out where to watch each one.
App to watch Turkish soap operas:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=serie.diaryturk2021
Another option:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=turki.espanove32
Recommended Turkish series and where to watch them on famous streaming platforms.
1. Love and Honor
Episodes: 9
Gender: romance, drama
Where to see: Globoplay
The newest addition to the Globoplay catalog in 2023, this Turkish soap opera has become a streaming viewing phenomenon. The plot follows Yasemin, a law student who grew up in an orphanage. Today, she struggles to care for her younger brother Murat, who has a hearing impairment.
Yasemin works at an events company, trying to carve out her space in the world and gain Murat's tutelage. However, it needs to deal with the obstacles of a sexist society. At one of the events he is working at, he ends up meeting businessman Cem. For others, Cem is a man with an established and successful career. But he has painful childhood memories that made him have great difficulty trusting people. The meeting will change both their lives.
2. The Legend of Shahmaran
Episodes: 8
Gender: romance, fantasy, mystery, supernatural
Where to see: Netflix
This 2023 Turkish soap opera introduces us to Sahsu. The young woman's mother was abandoned by her grandfather many years ago. As an adult, Sahsu decides to return to the city of Adana to confront her mother's father. Her plans end up being interrupted when she finds herself involved in strange events related to a mysterious legend.
In the city, she meets a native community called Mar, who say they are descendants of Shahmaran, the half-woman, half-snake entity, seen as one of the greatest symbols of love and wisdom. Unbeknownst to her, the Mar were awaiting her arrival to complete a historic prophecy. And his life changes forever when he meets Maran, a young man seen as “the chosen one” of the prophecy.
3. Sen Çal Kapımı
Episodes: 52 (2 seasons)
Gender: comedy, romance
Where to see: HBO Max
To the delight of Sen Çal Kapımı's many fans, the soap opera entered the HBO Max catalog in 2023. To get a sense of the strength of this series, in 2021 it defeated Brazilian soap operas in the Produ Awards and won the title of best soap opera in the world. Another reflection of its success was the fact that the end of the series was the most talked about on social media, surpassing the closure of productions such as Game of Thrones.
The plot follows the young landscape architecture student Eda Yıldiz and the arrogant Serkan Bolat. Always dedicated, Eda ends up losing her scholarship when Serkan's company cancels funding. Angry at the businessman, she tries to confront him. A great hurt with her then boyfriend and the attempt to still graduate make her accept the strange proposal that Serkan makes to her: pretending to be his fiancée for two months in exchange for the scholarship. But what starts as a hateful relationship will turn into something more.
4. The Famous Tailor (Terzi)
Episodes: 7
Gender: drama, romance, mystery
Where to see: Netflix
Renewing its catalog of Turkish soap operas, in 2023 Netflix launched The Famous Tailor, which soon became among the most watched productions on streaming in several countries. In the plot, we meet Peyami, a renowned tailor who inherits the business from his grandfather, from whom he also took talent for the craft. In addition to the pain of losing a loved one, the man now has to deal with a dark family secret that he discovered after receiving the inheritance.
Things start to get even more complicated when Esvet, his best friend's fiancée, comes to him to ask him to make her wedding dress. However, the three keep big secrets and now unexpected feelings also begin to develop.
5. Bitter Earth
Episodes: 91
Gender: romance, drama
Where to see: Globoplay
This series has achieved great success in more than 50 countries. In Brazil, the production was added to the Globoplay catalog in 2023 and has already attracted many viewers. The plot takes place in the 1970s and follows the couple Züleyha and Yılmaz. After Yilmaz commits a crime to save Zuleyha, the two decide to flee Istanbul. To do so, they hide their true identities and pretend to be brothers.
The couple end up finding shelter and employment on a farm in the interior of Turkey, in Çukurova. Things begin to get complicated, however, when Demir, the son of the farm owner, falls in love with Züleyha and starts doing everything to win over the young woman. The rural serial won over fans of the genre with its many twists and romance.
6. Eternal Love (Kara Sevda)
Episodes: 74
Gender: romance, drama
Where to see: HBO Max
This was the first Turkish series in the country's television history to win an Emmy (Best Soap Opera category). The 2017 production made history on Turkish television and can now be seen on HBO Max. The plot follows Kemal, a young man from a humble family without big dreams, and Nihan, a girl from a rich family, but who never cared about material goods and never fit in with the pressure of high society.
When they meet, the attraction is immediate. After experiencing an overwhelming love, however, Kemal needs to leave Istanbul due to work, and the two end their relationship, before Nihan can reveal a big secret to him. After five years, Kemal returns to the city. Nihan is now married in an arranged marriage, but Kemal is determined to live up to what he left behind.
7. Erkenci Kuş
Episodes: 51
Gender: romance, comedy
Where to see: YouTube (official channel)
If you've heard at least a little about Turkish series, you've most likely heard something about Erkenci Kuş. This series became a phenomenon on YouTube, where the episodes were made available and had millions of views. The plot follows the potential – and unlikely – couple Sanem and Can.
She dreams of becoming a writer, but is forced to accept a job at an advertising agency to avoid an arranged marriage. He is one of the agency owner's sons. Although he is passionate about photography, he needs to take over the company when his father leaves due to health problems. The two end up meeting at a company event. From then on, each episode leaves us rooting for the couple to come to fruition.
An initial dislike, the lies of those who don't want to see them together, the greed of Can's brother, and the mystery of a supposed spy within the agency are some of the difficulties the two go through.
8. Woman's Strength (Kadin)
Episodes: 81
Gender: drama, romance, mystery
Where to see: HBO Max
Bahar is a simple woman. When she meets the man she believes to be the man of her life, Sarp, the two fall madly in love and it doesn't take long for them to get married. In the following years, the couple had two children and led the life of their dreams. Unfortunately, Bahar sees everything turn into a nightmare when Sarp dies in an accident.
After many chapters that gave the impression that the novel was just a romance, a twist surprises the audience: Sarp's death was not an accident, but a homicide. The question of “Who killed Sarp” becomes the focus of the following episodes, leaving the viewer breathless with each new plot twist.
9. Black Money Love (Kara Para Aşk)
Episodes: 54 (164 in the international version)
Gender: romance, drama
Where to see: Netflix
This award-winning Turkish series brings a plot full of suspense and drama that has won over fans all over the world, reaching 107 countries. Praised by some as one of the most addictive Turkish series, the production follows young detective Omer Demir. With a sense of justice motivated by his father's early death, Omer sees his life turned upside down when his fiancée is found dead in a big businessman's car.
Determined to find the culprit, he discovers that the vehicle belonged to the father of a young jewelry designer named Elif Denizer. The two end up joining forces to find out who the killer is, but the relationship becomes intimate and troubled. Full of romance and big twists along the way of the investigation, the series does not disappoint.
10. Çatı Katı Aşk
Episodes: 16
Gender: comedy, romance
Where to see: YouTube (official channel)
The story of this series begins by introducing Aysen, a beautiful young woman who was adopted by a loving family who never let her lack for anything. When they start to experience financial problems, she and her brother Demir try to help in different ways, getting different jobs and deciding to rent their property to a couple.
That's where we meet Ates and Yasemin. He left behind his family's fortune to live as he wishes instead of obeying his father's demands. She is experiencing financial problems and needs help from her parents. When they discover the property for rent at a good price, they both become interested. However, the family only accepts one couple to rent the house.
The two then decide to pose as newlyweds and convince the family of their lie. Problems begin when Ates and Aysen become interested in each other, at the same time that Yasemin and Demir also begin to get closer.
11. Mucize Doktor
Episodes: 16
Gender: comedy, romance
Where to see: HBO Max
This series introduces us to Ali, a young man with Savant Syndrome, a rare condition that involves different developmental disorders, including autism. But those who are diagnosed with the syndrome also stand out for incredible intelligence and great abilities. The production's plot follows Ali's path to becoming a doctor, needing to overcome obstacles such as prejudice and some limitations of his condition.
If you found the plot of the series familiar, it was no surprise. This production is a complete remake of the acclaimed South Korean series Good Doctor, from 2013, which also had an American version starring actor Freddie Highmore. Just like the series that inspired it, Mucize Doktor was highly praised by critics and audiences.
12. Unspoken Truths (Hatirla Gönül)
Episodes: 10 (33 in the international version)
Gender: drama romance
Where to see: YouTube (official channel)
Fatmanur is a beautiful and kind music teacher. Kadir is a literature teacher always dedicated to the education of his students. The passion is immediate when they meet, and what follows is a romance that makes the viewer sigh.
Their plans to get married, however, face several adversities. Fatmanur's father does not accept the relationship, and Kadir has to move to Istanbul, where he has to deal with the challenge posed by his new students. The two continue to fight for this love.
13. Hot Head (2022)
Episodes: 8
Gender: fantasy, mystery, action, suspense
Available: Netflix
Based on the book of the same name by Afsim Kum, the miniseries Cabeça Quente (Sicaf Kafa) takes place in a dystopian world. A disease that became known as the “semantic virus” spread throughout the world. The mental disorder is transmitted through speech and causes those who have been infected to repeat meaningless phrases, which has led to the world collapsing. Eight years after the contagion began, the Institute to Combat the Epidemic is still trying to control the spread of the virus and find a cure. The organization took control of the country and divided the entire region into quarantine zones.
In a mysterious way, linguist Murat Siyavus is immune to the disease, although he suffers hallucinations when approaching infected people. One day, he saves a child from becoming infected in public, and his immunity ends up becoming known to the Institute. The organization begins hunting him, hoping that he will be the source of a cure. But Murat runs away searching for answers and looking for his old friend Özgür Caglar, a co-worker who may know the truth about his immunity.
14. Love 101 (Ask 101)
Episodes: 8
Gender: dramatic comedy, teen drama, romance
Where to see: Netflix
At a high school, young Osman, Eda, Sinan and Kerem have always felt out of place and are known for their bad behavior at the institution. Only Professor Burcu defends them and prevents their expulsion. However, they discover that she is about to be transferred. To prevent her departure, they appeal to the marriage law, under which, once married, a woman can choose her place of work without being subject to transfers.
But Burcu doesn't even have a boyfriend. To change this, the group of friends decides to help the teacher fall in love with someone in Istanbul. The target is the new and shy school teacher Kemal. To do so, they ask Işık, a diligent and kind student, for help. What happens from then on will redefine friendships, relationships and even the way everyone involved sees life.
15.8 in Istanbul (Bir Baskadir)
Episodes: 8
Gender: drama
Where to see: Netflix
The Netflix 8 production in Istanbul brings into discussion the psychological and emotional consequences of the political, ideological, cultural and religious polarization that has occurred in Turkey since 2012. This is done through eight characters that are related in some way to the context of a clinic of psychiatry.
Religiosity, conservatism, politics, sexuality, authoritarianism, violence and social inequality are addressed in a direct and honest way. The series presents different stories and the psychological conflicts of the characters, and shows how everything mentioned above can affect their lives. An exciting series that provokes different questions in us.
16. Börü – Wolf Squad
Episodes: 6
Gender: military action
Where to see: Netflix
Another Turkish production available on Netflix, this series follows the trajectory of a special operations military division that combats the growing terrorist threat in Turkey. For those who enjoy action productions, the episodes feature visually impeccable, well-crafted and cohesive scenes.
We follow the conflicts in the tense political-social scenario in which the team finds itself involved daily. And we are introduced to the stories of each member of the group, their personal lives and what is at stake for each of them.
17. The Secret of the Temple (Atiye)
Episodes: 24 (3 seasons)
Gender: psychological horror, fantasy
Where to see: Netflix
This intriguing series follows young Atiye. Beautiful, with a loving family, a perfect boyfriend and about to take a new step in her career, she sees her perfect life take a turn when she meets archaeologist Erhan. He reveals to him a symbol of the ruins of the oldest temple on earth, the Göbekli Tepe. The problem is that the symbol connects Atiye to the temple.
From then on, she begins an unbridled search to understand this connection and what secrets are hidden by her family. Little by little, she discovers that she is dealing with universal and sacred secrets and that her life will no longer be the same.
18. 50M2
Episodes: 8
Gender: action, drama, thriller
Where to see: Netflix
Another Turkish production whose rights Netflix has already secured, this series follows the murderer Gölge. He works for a man named Servet Nadir, while also trying to unravel his own past and discover who was responsible for his parents' deaths. When Servetus hires another assassin to kill Gölge, he escapes and assumes another identity.
Now using the name Adem Yilmaz, he poses as the son of a deceased tailor, to hide from Servetus, while still trying to discover the truth. But there are more people around who could put your new identity at risk.
19. Medcezir
Episodes: 77 (2 seasons)
Gender: drama
Where to see: Playpilot
This series is the Turkish version of the acclaimed American production The OC. Here we meet young Yaman, who lives in a poor neighborhood in Istanbul, with his brother Kenan, his mother and his stepfather. Although he has always been honest and hardworking, Yaman ends up being arrested after taking the blame for his brother's car theft. In jail, he ends up meeting lawyer Selim Serez.
Something about Yaman catches Selim's attention. Believing that the young man has potential if given the right opportunities, he makes him an unexpected offer: the chance to live with Selim and his family. After being expelled from his own home, Yaman ends up accepting the lawyer's proposal. But not everything in his new life is a paradise, having to deal with a present always affected by his past.
