Deep in Love premiered in October in Türkiye and has been continuing its run with strong ratings. Starring Deniz Baysal and Ulaş Tuna Astepe, the series draws viewers in with its emotional depth and Black Sea atmosphere. We sat down with its director, Çağrı Bayrak, creators, Ayşe Ferda Eryılmaz and Nehir Erdem, and leading stars, Aytek Şayan, Erdem Şanlı, Zeynep Atılgan, and Onur Dilber to talk about the story’s emotional journey and what makes Deep in Love connect with audiences around the world.
Çağrı Bayrak: “In my opinion, the series’ universal success is inevitable. First of all, geography alone is an attraction. The mesmerizing nature of the Black Sea, combined with colorful characters, creates a world that easily draws the audience in. But it’s not just about the visuals; the storytelling itself is highly engaging. The emotions are strong, and the characters are deep and sincere. I believe viewers from different parts of the world will find this combination of nature and emotion very compelling. While admiring the extraordinary landscapes, they will also connect with the human depth of the characters. This series offers an experience that is not only watched but felt. And I think this is the strongest element that makes it universal.”
As the director of Deep in Love, how did the story begin for you? How did the series’ pre-production process unfold, and how long did it take? We’d love to hear some details about that process from you.
Çağrı Bayrak: I had the opportunity to read many scripts last summer. Deep in Love was the one that affected me the most and satisfied me the most. I had been wanting to work on a project set in another city for some time. It is an important principle for me to choose projects that are different from each other. This project drew me in with both its cinematographically unique location in the Black Sea region and its strong dramatic structure. My agent and I made a quick decision: “Let’s do it.” Later, I found that the writers specifically recommended me for the project. That made me proud and really deepened my bond with the series. We had approximately a two-month preparation period. Because we started with a very experienced team, everything went as planned. We went on set on September 1. The writers’ knowledge of the region greatly facilitated our work. They had warned us about the Black Sea’s nature, but interestingly, everything went in our favor. All the hardships nature brought, rain, mist, ever-changing weather, they all became factors serving our story’s atmosphere.
The entire cast of Deep in Love is very successful, and everyone seems perfectly chosen. Can you tell us about the casting process? How long did it take, and what were you looking for?
Çağrı Bayrak: The casting process progressed more smoothly and with clearer focus than I had expected. Some names were already quite clear in our writers’ minds. We first met with those actors and held auditions. We reached agreement on almost all of the names fairly quickly. There was an additional challenge specific to this project: dialect proficiency. At that point, we focused on actors who could carry the dialect in a natural and sincere way. At the first table read, it became clear how right the casting choices were. The chemistry that emerged was truly special; an authentic, organic energy that elevated everyone involved.
Both audiences and critics talked for quite a while about how perfectly Ava Yaman fit the character of Eleni. So we can’t help but ask about the process of discovering Ava Yaman and entrusting her with the role of Eleni…
Çağrı Bayrak: The first name to be finalized for the project was Ava Yaman. Even during the scriptwriting stage, our writers said they wanted to work with her. From the very beginning, it was clear that she was the right person for the character of Eleni. In the pre-production period, we worked intensively with her, especially on the dialect. She trained with a dialect coach and achieved a level of success that went beyond our expectations. Ava’s performance was so convincing that many viewers thought she was of Greek origin. This is a clear indication of how deeply she identified with the role. I truly believe that Turkish television has gained a very special talent, and that makes me extremely happy.
The Black Sea, with its geography and culture, is an ideal place for telling epic stories. It also enhances the watchability of the series. What kind of opportunities does the Black Sea offer to a director?
Çağrı Bayrak: From a cinematic perspective, the Black Sea is almost an epic landscape. The weather can clear up suddenly, or close in abruptly. This unpredictable natural condition, of course, creates challenges during shooting. But each of these challenges turns into a major visual advantage. For example, when you watch the scene with the herd of animals in the highlands in Episode 1, you’ll understand what I mean. The mist, the clouds, the shades of green, the flow of water, the rhythm of the waves… Wherever you point the camera, it’s postcard-perfect. For us, the Black Sea acted not just as a location, but almost like a character itself. From the director of photography to the art department, the whole crew played their instruments within this nature. Everything flowed in perfect harmony. We also had an amazing post-production team, who worked meticulously like artisans, and the result is this outstanding work. They are all very special people.
The original music of the series has also attracted a lot of attention, and the scenes in which the songs are used have been found very impactful. What can you tell us about the music choices and how they match the scenes?
Çağrı Bayrak: Music was never just a background element for us; it was a carrier of the story. The impact of Yüksel Baltacı’s folk songs used in the series is enormous. With his own lyrics, music, and interpretations, he brought such a spirit to our story that it would have been incomplete without him. For music selection, we decided together on the melody that best matched the mood of each scene. The contribution of a Black Sea musician to this project significantly increased its authenticity and emotional depth. These folk songs didn’t just resonate with the audience, they became part of the crew’s everyday language as well, almost like our anthem. Apart from the folk songs, the rest of the series’ music was composed by Ayşe and Ümit, and I think they did a fantastic job.
Behind-the-scenes and set videos of Deep in Love show the entire team working happily and spending time together. Could you tell us a bit about what the set is like? Also, you’re shooting episodes that need to be completed in a short time. What are the most challenging aspects for you and the crew on set?
Çağrı Bayrak: The set environment for us is not just a workplace; it has become a collective living space. From day one, we established a bond based on mutual respect and affection. Our pace is quite intense, and we are away from our homes, but this has brought us closer together. We’ve managed to create an environment where no one prioritizes their ego; everyone works for the good of the project. There is a mindset of motivating and supporting each other. One of the things that makes me happiest is that even within this intense pace, we never compromise on discipline. I am a set person; I’ve been in this world for over 20 years. This pace is not a challenge for me; it’s a way of life. In fact, I struggle when I’m away from the set. With such a strong team spirit, things like rain, fog, illness, or fatigue become just minor details for us.
Deep in Love has already become one of Turkey’s most-watched and talked-about series. Its international journey has also begun. In your opinion, what qualities of the series will most attract viewers from different countries and cultures?
Çağrı Bayrak: In my opinion, the series’ universal success is inevitable. First of all, geography alone is an attraction. The mesmerizing nature of the Black Sea, combined with colorful characters, creates a world that easily draws the audience in. But it’s not just about the visuals; the storytelling itself is highly engaging. The emotions are strong, and the characters are deep and sincere. I believe viewers from different parts of the world will find this combination of nature and emotion very compelling. While admiring the extraordinary landscapes, they will also connect with the human depth of the characters. This series offers an experience that is not only watched but felt. And I think this is the strongest element that makes it universal.
