Best Turkish TV Series: Unforgettable Productions from Different Periods

In the last twenty years, Turkish TV series have become watched not only within the country but also in a wide geography from the Middle East to Latin America. But when it comes to "Turkish TV series", there is no single pattern that comes to mind: there are long-running family dramas with two and a half hour weekly episodes, half-hour broadcast platform series, and sitcoms that are engraved in the collective memory of a generation.

In this article, we selected productions from different periods and genres that both critics and audiences talked about for a long time. Our aim is not to make a complete ranking; making it easier for you to find a starting point that suits your taste.

Unforgettable comedies

Ours (1989–2002)

The series, which tells the daily life of neighbors living in an apartment building in Istanbul, remained on television for years. The production, in which an apartment building with its doorman, grocer, retiree and student is treated like a small Türkiye, was loved for its simple humor and warm characters. For those looking for nostalgia and want something to watch with the family.

European Side (2004–2009)

Written by Gülse Birsel, the series made fun of Istanbul's middle-upper class, nouveau riche, and vanity through a group of characters living in Nişantaşı. One of the strongest examples of character comedy, whose lines are still spoken in everyday language. For those who love fast, sarcastic humor.

Leyla and Mecnun (2011–2013)

The series, created by Burak Aksak, builds an absurd, surreal humor universe around Mecnun and Leyla, who were born on the same day. Although it had difficulties in the ratings during its release, it quickly gained a cult audience; This interest led to its return with new episodes years later. For those looking for a strange and poetic humor that is different from the classic sitcom.

Lie World (2012–2014)

The series, also directed by Gülse Birsel, parodies the relationships of families living in a complex based on arrogance, jealousy and ambition. He conveys social observations through exaggerated characters. If you liked the European Side, you will love this one too.

Drama and family stories

Once Upon a Time in Çukurova (2018–2022)

Set in the cotton fields and mansions of Adana in the 1950s, the period series begins with a young couple escaping to the city and falling into the world of a powerful landowner. It was talked about for a long time with its large cast, atmosphere and Hünkâr character. For those who can spare time for long-running period dramas.

An Istanbul Tale (2003–2005)

The series, which tells about the love, loyalty and family ties between two generations of a long-established Istanbul family, was one of the most popular dramas of its time. For those who love slow-moving, emotional stories and classic melodrama.

Aşk-ı Memnu (2008–2010)

The series, freely adapted from Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil's novel, tells the story of a forbidden love and the tensions within the family in a mansion on the Bosphorus. It is one of the productions that played an important role in expanding Turkish TV series abroad. For those who love classic literary adaptations and intense emotional dramas.

It's Something Different (2020)

The eight-episode Netflix series, written and directed by Berkun Oya, includes people from different parts of Istanbul; It brings together a house cleaner, a psychiatrist, a teacher and their families. It has been discussed and talked about a lot in an effort to show the social divisions in Türkiye without judgment. For those looking for a dialogue-heavy, slow and thought-provoking production.

Crime and thriller

Behzat C. An Ankara Crime Story (2010–2013)

Adapted from the novels of Emrah Serbes, the series tells the story of a police commissioner in Ankara who frequently breaks the rules and acts according to his own truth. He brought a new breath to Turkish detective fiction with his harsh language, black humor and team dynamics. For those who want a realistic, dirty city atmosphere.

Ezel (2009–2011)

The series tells the story of a man who is imprisoned after the betrayal of his friends and the woman he loves, and seeks revenge by changing his face and identity. It was loved with its story inspired by the Count of Monte Cristo, surprising chapter endings and unforgettable music. For those who love thriller and revenge stories.

Personality (2018)

Directed by Onur Saylak and starring Haluk Bilginer, the series tells the story of a retired courthouse officer diagnosed with Alzheimer's who decides to close past accounts before his memory is completely lost. Bilginer won the best actor award at the International Emmy for this role. For those looking for a short, intense and dark thriller.

Period and date

Magnificent Century (2011–2014)

The series, which tells about the interior of the palace during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, the relationship with Hürrem Sultan and the power struggles, was widely watched both at home and abroad with its great production. Although there are debates regarding its historical accuracy, it left its mark on a period with its costumes and large cast. For those who love palace intrigue and period drama; It is useful to watch it as fiction rather than as a source of historical information.

Highlights of recent years

Innocent Apartment (2020–2021)

Inspired by a real case in the book of psychiatrist Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu, the series tells the story of four siblings living with an obsession with cleanliness and the traumas of the past. When Han, one of the main characters, consults a psychiatrist, the pain that has been hidden in the family for years is gradually revealed. He attracted attention for trying to address mental health without trapping it in melodramatic patterns. For those who love family drama and psychological stories.

Leaf Fall (2006–2010)

Adapted from Reşat Nuri Güntekin's novel, the series tells the story of the disintegration of the family of Ali Rıza Bey, a retired and honest civil servant, in the face of changing values ​​and the fast life of Istanbul. It extends the central conflict of the novel into a lengthy television narrative. For those looking for a classic melodrama about generational conflict, family honor and social change.

Like (2021–)

The comedy, shot for the broadcast platform, starring Ahmet Kural and Murat Cemcir, is based on two friends turning ordinary everyday situations into an absurd chain of logic. The chapters are short and largely self-contained. If you like verbal humour, protracted arguments and strange but familiar characters, don't miss one of the most quoted domestic comedies of recent years.

Valley of the Wolves (2003–2005)

The series, which started with the story of Polat Alemdar, an intelligence officer who infiltrated the underworld by changing his identity, became one of the most effective examples of mafia and action dramas on Turkish television. In the following years, it continued under different names and moved into cinema. The first period is mostly based on characters and the rules of the underworld. For those who love hard action and loyalty themed stories; Watch with the knowledge that it contains violence.

Which according to whom?

• Something comfortable for the family: Ours.
• I want to laugh: European Side, False World; For more absurd humor, Leyla and Mecnun.
• Short and intense: Personality is Something Different.
• Detective: Behzat C.
• I want to get buried in a long story: Ezel, Aşk-ı Memnu, Once Upon a Time in Çukurova.

How to deal with long episodes?

In classic television series, episodes can exceed two hours. Since this time is equivalent to a movie, you do not have to watch an episode in one sitting. Splitting the episode into two makes viewing much more sustainable, especially on weeknights. Broadcast platform productions, on the other hand, are a more practical option during busy periods, as they generally proceed with 30-50 minute episodes.

Things to consider when starting an old TV series

Some of the long-running Turkish TV series reach several hundred episodes. Before starting such a series, knowing roughly how many episodes there are and how the finale was received will prevent you from being disappointed later. Some TV series may have extended their story or ended it suddenly due to ratings; In this case, watching the first seasons and quitting is a legitimate choice. In addition, in some productions, the cast changes significantly in the following seasons. If you keep a list of what you watched, you won't lose track of where you left off; how to keep a watch list There are practical methods for this in our article.

frequently asked questions

I want to recommend Turkish TV series to my foreign friend, which one should I start with?

Short and universally themed productions attract attention more easily: Personality and Another are good options. Among the long dramas, Aşk-ı Memnu and Magnificent Century, which are already known abroad, are well-known names.

Is it still fun to watch old TV series?

The image quality may not be as bright as today's productions, but the humor of TV series such as Bizimkiler or Avrupa Yakası still works because it is based on the characters.

Is there a list for Turkish movies?

Yes, best Turkish movies In our article, we have collected important films from Yeşilçam to the present day.

Where can I watch these series?

Many of them are available in the channels' own digital archives or on legal broadcast platforms. Since rights change over time, it is best to check the current status.

last word

Turkish TV series are like a small archive that shows how we tell different faces of the same country in different periods. Choose one from the list, give the characters time to warm up in the first few chapters. If you want to follow new and popular productions Trends page is a good start.