After a three-month summer break, Turkish television kicked off the new season this September. Around 35 dramas are expected to hit the screens this year, including 20 new Turkish series. However, the overall number of series continues to decline due to shrinking ad revenues and fewer productions during the summer.
Before diving into the new Turkish series, let’s take a quick look back at last season. Over the course of nine months, a total of 44 series aired with 860 episodes. However, only 14 of them were renewed for another season. Twelve of those returned in September, while The Ottoman and Secret of Pearls will premiere later in the season.
Last season’s most-watched series, Far Away, reached the highest ratings in the past four years with an average of 13.23 across 28 episodes, and kicked off its new season on September 15. One Love, which had been a top contender in the ratings throughout its first three seasons, returned for its fourth on September 12. Also making strong comebacks this September are The Shadow Team, which surprised viewers last season with a 40% ratings jump, Eshref Ruya, one of the most-watched new shows, and An Anatolian Tale, which has stayed in the Top 5 throughout its five-season run.
Early Premieres
- Waves of Love (ATV / ATV Distribution) – Starring Halit Özgür Sarı and Özge Yağız, this new Turkish series centers on Azil, whose life takes a dramatic turn after learning he is the lost heir of the powerful Maçari family. It premiered on September 2 and now airs on Tuesday nights in Türkiye.
- Reborn (Star TV / OGM UNIVERSE) – With Sibel Taşçıoğlu, Deniz Çakır, Lizge Cömert, and Kerem Bürsin leading the cast, the story revolves around the emotional fallout between two families after a heart transplant from a wealthy girl to a girl from a poor background. The series made its debut on September 7, and continues to broadcast on Sunday nights.
New Premieres
- Queen of Tears (ATV / ATV Distribution) – A Turkish adaptation of the Korean hit Queen of Tears, this drama follows a couple on the verge of divorce whose relationship is unexpectedly rekindled after a health crisis. The series debuted on September 19, airing Friday nights in Türkiye.
- Children of Paradise (TRT 1 / TRT Sales) – This new Turkish series follows a former mafia boss suffering from memory loss, who starts a whole new life in a remote village. The series premiered on September 15 and airs on Monday nights in Türkiye.
- Dynasty of Love (Show TV / Global Agency) – Featuring Akın Akınözü and Serra Arıtürk alongside Erkan Kolçak Köstendil and Ercan Kesal, this drama dives into the power struggles within a family that runs a major bus terminal. The drama launched on September 11 and airs on Thursday nights in Türkiye.
- Halef (NOW TV / Inter Medya) – the series follows Serhat, a successful surgeon caught between two women due to a long-standing blood feud. The series made its debut in Türkiye on Thursday, September 18.
- Envy (NOW TV / MADD Entertainment) – Starring Özgü Namal, Selahattin Paşalı, Mehmet Günsür, and Hafsanur Sancaktutan, the series follows Seniha, a woman cast out by society, whose life is entangled in jealousy and manipulation. Kıskanmak rolled out on September 16 and airs Tuesday nights in Türkiye.
- Stranger in the Mirror (ATV / ATV Distribution) – Starring Simay Barlas and Onur Tuna, the story centers on Azra, the daughter-in-law of one of the country’s wealthiest families. Her seemingly perfect life takes a dramatic turn as she disappears with her daughter, triggering a life-altering chain of events.
New Turkish Series Coming Later This Season
- A.B.İ. (ATV / ATV Distribution) – Marking Kenan İmirzalıoğlu’s return to television after seven years, this series follows a surgeon who comes back to his hometown after a long absence, only to confront unresolved pasts and hidden truths.
- Deep in Love (TRT 1 / TRT Sales) – From the creators of Lifeline, this new drama is set in the Black Sea region and stars Ulaş Tuna Astepe, returning in a leading role.
- Terra Rossa (Show TV / Eccho Rights) – With globally acclaimed actor Engin Akyürek in the lead, this series revisits a long-standing blood feud between two wealthy families.
- Kadife Kelepçe (Show TV) – Featuring Seda Bakan, Uğur Güneş, Ahsen Eroğlu, and Celil Nalçakan, the series follows Aydan, a hairdresser from a working-class neighborhood who suddenly finds herself the owner of a high-end beauty salon.
Kanal D’s New Drama
- Sins and Roses (Kanal D / Kanal D International) – Starring Murat Yıldırım and Cemre Baysel, the series follows Serhat, a businessman forced to confront the secrets his wife has been hiding. As Zeynep enters his life, he finds himself drawn into a journey filled with betrayal and hidden truths.
NOW TV’s Fresh Titles
- Sahtekârlar – Starring Burak Deniz and Hilal Altınbilek, the series revolves around the dangerous alliance between lawyer Ertan and con artist Reyhan. Written by Family Secrets creator Sema Ergenekon and directed by Ali Bilgin.
- My Beautiful Revenge – (Madd Entertainment) Led by Burçin Terzioğlu, this drama follows a teacher who returns to her hometown and is forced to confront her past in a gripping tale of revenge.
- Lies After Lies (Calinos Entertainment) – In this Korean adaptation, Funda Eryiğit and Caner Cindoruk star as a mother and father in a story about a woman fighting to reunite with her daughter through a web of lies and emotional struggle.
- A Mother’s Oath (Global Agency) – Reuniting Deeply stars Özge Özpirinçci and Salih Bademci, this series marks the duo’s first prime-time appearance with a powerful new drama.
This article was written by Burak Sakar.
