When you first read Valley of Hearts, what did it make you feel, and what aspects of the project impressed you the most?
Genco Özak: When I first read it, Esat’s unique language immediately caught my attention. I value characters that are open to growth and transformation, and Esat is one of those. He’s unaware of many things in the story… As he starts learning the truth, I believe he’ll go through a major transformation, and this journey is very exciting for me.
Esat seems to have had a childhood where he was overly protected and spoiled by his mother and grandmother. Yet he’s in constant conflict with his father, and comes across as the spoiled son of the family, though deep down, he seems to be trying to prove himself to his father. How would you describe Esat?
Genco Özak: He has a kind of inner emptiness stemming from his father’s emotional distance, and this is one of Esat’s strongest motivations. Yes, Esat wants to prove himself to his father, he wants his father to love him. He may act like he doesn’t care about anything, but that’s really his way of creating a safe space for himself. Esat’s definitely not just some clueless kid. 🙂
Genco Özak: “Esat is a character who experiences a sense of deprivation despite living in such wealth and luxury. Much of his behavior in the story is driven by this lack of love. ”
Esat is even willing to risk harming the family business just to put Cihan in a difficult position. But we can’t be too mad at him, he’s also quite an entertaining character. Which of his traits did you focus on most when developing Esat as a character?
Genco Özak: Esat is a character who experiences a sense of deprivation despite living in such wealth and luxury. Much of his behavior in the story is driven by this lack of love. His outgoing nature and sarcasm make him interesting and fun to watch, but these traits are also part of his defense mechanism.
Overtime, Esat will discover that he has siblings, which will lead him into new crises and dilemmas. Valley of Hearts is a series that explores family, conflicts, love, and struggle across all its characters. What lies ahead for Esat, and what are the initial feedbacks from viewers regarding him?
Genco Özak: I think we’re having fun. I enjoy playing Esat on set, and the audience enjoy watching him too. As the story progresses, I believe Esat’s wounds will start to come to light, and we’ll all get to meet the wounded child behind his mask.
You are in Cappadocia for Valley of Hearts, a truly exceptional place. How is it living and working in Cappadocia?
Genco Özak: I’m as happy as I’ve been on all my projects; anywhere I work happily and peacefully is a good place for me. Cappadocia’s stunning landscape, the balloons, horseback riding, fairy chimneys, and delicious food are all great.
Valley of Hearts will be introduced at MIPCOM, one of the world’s most important content markets. What would you like to say to your audience in Türkiye and around the world?
Genco Özak: I see messages from many countries around the world on social media, and it makes me so happy. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our work resonate across different languages and regions. The one thing I’d like to say to everyone is: Keep watching us. 🙂
