ATV Distribution heads to MIPCOM 2025 with a strong slate of new dramas. Among the highlights is Queen of Tears, the Korean adaptation starring globally recognized talents Hande Erçel and Barış Arduç, which has just launched in Türkiye. The lineup also includes Waves of Love, another fresh debut of the season. Ahead of the market, we sat down with Müge Akar, ATV’s Head of Sales, to discuss the company’s latest dramas, recent sales highlights, the ongoing success of The Nightfall and The Ottoman, and their expectations for this year’s edition.
Before we talk about ATV’s highly anticipated new series, could you give us a recap of 2025? How would you summarize this year?
2025 has been a year of strong competition in the Turkish drama industry, and we are proud to have stood out with high-quality content. As we approach the final quarter of the year, the new broadcast season in Türkiye has just begun, marking the start of an exciting new chapter. During this period, we launched the second season of Hidden Destiny (Can Borcu), a series that left a strong impression in its first season and continues to capture attention. We also premiered Waves of Love (Gözleri Karadeniz) and are now preparing to introduce new projects. Among them, Queen of Tears (Aşk ve Gözyaşı) will soon be meeting audiences in the local market.
Could you also share some of the recent sales highlights?
Our recent sales demonstrate how Turkish dramas continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. The Nightfall (Bir Gece Masalı), starring Burak Deniz and Su Burcu Yazgı Coşkun, was recently licensed in Spain, Chile, and Panama. Hidden Destiny (Can Borcu) has expanded its presence across Europe with new sales to Croatia, Romania, and Albania. And most recently, Broken Wings (Kanatsız Kuşlar) was licensed to the United States, while the format rights were sold to Portugal.
Meanwhile, Queen of Tears and Waves of Love were both acquired in the MENA region, underlining the growing global demand for our catalog.
2025 has been a year of strong competition in the Turkish drama industry, and we are proud to have stood out with high-quality content.
Let’s move to your upcoming drama Queen of Tears. The series brings together Hande Erçel and Barış Arduç, two stars with a huge global fan base, and it is adapted from the successful Korean series of the same name. How would you describe the series in your own words?
Queen of Tears (Aşk ve Gözyaşı) is a deeply emotional and universal love story. It follows Selim, the legal director of a major corporation, and his wife, Meyra, the heiress of a powerful family. Despite their privileged lives, their marriage suffers under the weight of family expectations, corporate rivalries, and hidden pressures. As emotional distance grows between them, Selim considers walking away, until he discovers Meyra’s life-threatening illness. This revelation forces them to face long-suppressed truths and rediscover the love they thought was lost. At its core, the series explores resilience, honesty, and the ultimate test of choosing to stand by one another in the face of illness, secrets, and social pressures.
What are your expectations for its international journey, and have you seen any early interest ahead of its official launch at MIPCOM 2025?
We are officially launching Queen of Tears at MIPCOM 2025. Although the series has not yet aired, the powerful narrative, combined with the quality of production evident even in the teaser, has already drawn attention from international buyers. The early feedback has been very encouraging, and we will be sharing exciting announcements very soon.
The teaser for the series has already attracted significant global attention. Beyond the popularity of the lead cast, what do you see as the key selling points for international buyers?
The series has several elements that make it stand out internationally. First and foremost, it is a universally appealing love story, romantic, emotionally intense, and full of suspense. The theme of rediscovering love under extraordinary circumstances is one that resonates with viewers everywhere. In addition, the series is visually elevated by the stunning scenery of the Bosphorus, while its high production values and the strength of the supporting cast bring further depth and quality. Together, these elements create a package that is both commercially attractive and emotionally powerful.
This year, we are participating in MIPCOM with one of the strongest lineups we have ever presented. Queen of Tears, Waves of Love, and The Nightfall represent fresh, powerful stories with strong international potential. At the same time, titles like The Ottoman showcase our ability to deliver long-running dramas with sustained global appeal.
Another highly anticipated title in your lineup is Waves of Love (Gözleri Karadeniz), starring Halit Özgür Sarı and Özge Yağız. Could you share your insights into the story? What are your expectations for its international journey?
Waves of Love has been created in the tradition of classic Turkish drama, which continues to perform strongly in international markets. The story begins in the Black Sea region and evolves as the characters’ paths cross in Istanbul, where their destinies intertwine. The emotional depth of the story is enriched by the chemistry between Halit Özgür Sarı and Özge Yağız, which we believe will strongly connect with audiences. Given its traditional storytelling style and universal themes, we expect it to perform well across many territories.
How have sales for The Nightfall been performing internationally so far? Which regions have shown the most interest in the series?
The Nightfall has seen a very positive reception internationally. While there has been interest from multiple regions, Europe has been particularly responsive. The series has been licensed in Romania, Spain, Bosnia, and Hungary, showing its ability to travel widely across the continent.
Which genres in your catalog tend to perform best in international markets? Are there specific regions where certain types of dramas are particularly popular in terms of sales?
Our catalog is highly diverse, which allows us to respond to a wide variety of market demands. Historical dramas tend to perform particularly well in Asia and Europe, where there is strong interest in epic, period storytelling. On the other hand, classic family dramas remain highly popular in Latin America, where emotional, character-driven narratives resonate strongly with audiences. This range ensures we can always find the right fit for each region.
Beyond your new dramas, The Ottoman continues to be one of ATV Distribution’s standout titles, now entering its 7th season with consistently strong ratings. This season also introduces the globally recognized star Mert Yazıcıoğlu to the cast. How do you see this new season shaping the show’s international journey?
The Ottoman is one of our flagship titles, and we are proud of its continued success. The addition of Mert Yazıcıoğlu brings fresh energy and international recognition to the series, which will only expand its global reach. This season, the story moves deeper into the aftermath of the empire’s foundation, providing viewers with both historical depth and compelling drama. We believe the combination of strong ratings, a loyal audience base, and new talent will reinforce the show’s position as one of the most important Turkish dramas on the global stage.
Finally, we are here at MIPCOM, the most important content market of the year. What are your expectations for this year’s edition?
This year, we are participating in MIPCOM with one of the strongest lineups we have ever presented. Queen of Tears, Waves of Love, and The Nightfall represent fresh, powerful stories with strong international potential. At the same time, titles like The Ottoman showcase our ability to deliver long-running dramas with sustained global appeal. We look forward to sharing these projects with our partners and believe they will play a key role in shaping the next wave of Turkish drama across the world.
This exclusive interview with Müge Akar was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIPCOM 2025 issue.
