How Did Last Season Go?
As another season of Turkish television comes to an end, the screens once again offered a picture of changing viewing habits and the competitive strength of new productions. The 2025/2026 season was marked by the continued presence of long-running series, while also demonstrating that new Turkish series could quickly build strong audiences.
A total of 36 series completed the 2025/2026 season. Deep in Love topped the ratings with a season average of 13.55, while Far Away ranked second with a second-season average of 13.24. The results showed that the top of the ratings was no longer reserved exclusively for established series: new productions with compelling stories could also reach the highest levels of the ratings.
The rise of Deep in Love was particularly noteworthy. The series opened with a rating of 4.52 before climbing to 17.52 during the season. Far Away, meanwhile, began its second season at 13.93 and finished with an average of 13.24, highlighting the importance of maintaining a consistent performance throughout the season.
Among the new series, Underground, Sevdiğim Sensin (You Are the One I Love), Eshref Ruya and A.B.İ. stood out with season averages of 8.40, 8.14, 7.50 and 7.31, respectively. These results suggest that a new series’ success depends not only on the rating it achieves with its premiere episode, but also on its ability to win over viewers and maintain their interest throughout the season.
| Series | Season Average | Premiere | Peak | Episodes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deep in Love | 13.55 | 4.52 | 17.52 | 31 |
| 2 | Far Away | 13.24 | 13.93 | 15.90 | 35 |
| 3 | Underground | 8.40 | 5.59 | 10.35 | 16 |
| 4 | Sevdiğim Sensin (You Are the One I Love) | 8.14 | 5.84 | 10.19 | 15 |
| 5 | Eshref Ruya | 7.50 | 8.09 | 10.26 | 34 |
| 6 | A.B.İ. | 7.31 | 9.98 | 10.64 | 18 |
| 7 | One Love | 7.09 | 6.33 | 9.11 | 35 |
| 8 | Sins and Roses | 6.65 | 3.88 | 8.27 | 32 |
| 9 | The Shadow Team | 6.31 | 5.58 | 7.75 | 36 |
| 10 | Halef | 5.81 | 3.95 | 8.09 | 35 |
As a result, the 2026/2027 season will see two different groups competing in the same race: series attempting to preserve the success they achieved last season and new productions trying to build their own audiences. This makes one of the biggest questions of the new season whether the balance established last year will remain intact.
Returning Series in the New Season
Among the series continuing their television journeys in the 2026/2027 season, several of last season’s top performers stand out. Far Away, Deep in Love, Sevdiğim Sensin (You Are the One I Love), Sins and Roses, One Love, Ugly, Underground, Halef, A.B.İ., An Anatolian Tale and The Shadow Team will all return to screens for the new season.
Summer Series Are Also Part of the Competition
The summer of 2026 produced a more active landscape on Turkish television than in previous years. Torn Apart, Different Lives, Love, Probably and Nature of Love occupied the screens during the summer months, preventing the season from becoming a quiet period. In particular, Torn Apart demonstrated that summer series can also attract a substantial audience.
One of the questions surrounding the new season will be whether these productions, which premiered during the summer, will continue their television journeys into the autumn and winter. If they manage to maintain their performances, productions originally planned as summer projects could become part of the main-season competition, further weakening the traditional divide between summer and winter television.
Although Nature of Love, which became the most-watched program of the day with its third episode, will leave the screen following a decline in ratings, Torn Apart is set to continue during the winter season.
New Series Coming in the New Season
More than 20 new Turkish television series are expected to meet audiences during the 2026/2027 season. The new projects cover a wide range of genres, from family dramas and historical productions to crime stories and romantic series.
Kanal D
Haysiyet (Dignity)
Produced by Süreç Film, Haysiyet (Dignity) follows a family in a major city as they struggle to preserve their values and honor. The series explores power, reputation and conscience, and stars Kerem Alışık, Doğukan Güngör, Reha Özcan, Merih Öztürk, Nergis Öztürk and Burak Çelik. Directed by Eda Teksöz, the series is written by Leyla Uslu Oter and Cem Akyoldaş. The cast has completed its table read and initial filming, and the first promotional video has already been released.
Karakuyu (Dark Well)
Produced by OGM Pictures, Karakuyu (Dark Well) is a story of justice and revenge set in Divriği, Sivas. The story begins when Prosecutor Ferda returns to her hometown after being forced to flee years earlier because of an honor killing. Directed by Nezaket Coşkun and written by Deniz Akçay, the series is set to be one of the new season’s major dramas rooted in Anatolia.
Show TV
Cevher (Genius)
Produced by Fabrika Yapım, Cevher (Genius) is the Turkish adaptation of the French series High Intellectual Potential (HPI). Combining crime and comedy, the series follows a character whose extraordinary intelligence allows her to solve cases in unconventional ways. Viewers will be curious to see how the original format is adapted for Turkey.
Sevdan Bir Ateş (A Love Like Fire)
Produced by CNP Film, Sevdan Bir Ateş (A Love Like Fire) takes its story to the dramatic and enchanting landscape of Cappadocia. The series follows Mirza, the eldest son of the influential Kozaklı family, and Leyla, whose passionate and impossible love defies the passing years. Directed by Murat Saraçoğlu and written by Eda Tezcan and Selda Akın, the series stars Murat Ünalmış and Özge Özacar.
Star TV
Tuzlu Kahve (Salted Coffee)
Produced by Poll Films, Tuzlu Kahve (Salted Coffee) follows Gözde, a member of one of Istanbul’s established families, and Mehmet, a holding heir returning from the United States. The young couple wants to get married, but bringing their very different families together becomes the central conflict of this comedy-drama.
The series stars Eda Ece and Buğra Gülsoy, alongside a large ensemble cast including Nebahat Çehre, Binnur Kaya, Şevval Sam, Yasemin Ergene, Sarp Apak, Ceren Moray, Enis Arıkan, Hatice Aslan, Nergis Kumbasar, Melis Fis, Cengiz Bozkurt, Nevra Serezli and Settar Tanrıöğen.
Başkalarının Hayatı (Other People’s Lives)
Produced by Ay Yapım, Başkalarının Hayatı (Other People’s Lives) is a Turkish adaptation of the Mexican series Rubí. The story centers on Hülya, a university student who dreams of entering the wealthy and privileged world she admires. Determined to escape poverty and build a life of wealth, she uses her beauty and ambition to achieve her goals. The series explores class differences and the pursuit of status.
Eylül Lize Kandemir, Doğa Bayram, Burak Berkay Akgül, Demirhan Demircioğlu and Mehmet Aslantuğ lead the cast.
Bir Hayat Hikayesi (A Life Story)
Produced by Bozdağ Film, Bir Hayat Hikayesi (A Life Story) follows Hayat, a woman devoted to her autistic son Savaş. Played by Hazal Subaşı, Hayat faces a difficult emotional journey as her relationship with her husband Fergan changes and she encounters Doctor Çağrı. Family, sacrifice and finding the strength to rebuild one’s life are at the heart of the series.
NOW
Centilmen (The Gentleman)
Produced by MF Yapım, Centilmen (The Gentleman) follows a powerful woman who raises the grandson she has kept hidden from everyone and transforms him into a true gentleman against the backdrop of major wars. Written by Mustafa Becit, the series explores family bonds and generational conflict.
Ömür Usta (Master Ömür)
Produced by Ay Yapım, Ömür Usta (Master Ömür) tells the story of Ömür, whose husband leaves the house to buy bread and never returns. Left to raise her children alone, Ömür must fight to rebuild her life from scratch.
Written by Çağla Kızılelma and directed by Hilal Saral, the series stars Nurgül Yeşilçay, Bülent İnal and Gonca Vuslateri, alongside Enes Koçak, İbrahim Selim, Gülçin Kültür Şahin, Pınar Çağlar Gençtürk, Sude Zülal Güler and Zerrin Sümer.
Sevdam Karadeniz (My Love, the Black Sea)
Produced by Mia Yapım, Sevdam Karadeniz (My Love, the Black Sea) follows the forbidden love between Kuzey and Zeyşan, grandchildren of two powerful families whose feud has lasted for generations. Forbidden love, revenge and family secrets lie at the center of the story.
The series comes from Mia Yapım, the company behind Hercai, and features a cast largely made up of actors with roots in the Black Sea region, reinforcing its regional atmosphere. Erdem Adilce and Meltem Akçöl star, with Aytaç Çiçek directing and Özge Korkmaz and Yeşim Gülay writing the screenplay.
Anne Yarısı (Half-Sister)
Produced by NTC Medya, Anne Yarısı (Motherlike) follows a woman who takes responsibility for her late sister’s child after her sister dies in Germany. Her journey begins in Cappadocia, where family, loss and starting over come together.
The series is written by Melis Civelek, Zeynep Gür and Merve Göntem, and stars Burcu Özberk and Cihangir Ceyhan.
Adana Ayazı (The Chill of Adana)
Produced by NTC Medya, Adana Ayazı (The Chill of Adana) takes its story to the distinctive landscape of Çukurova. Strong family ties, revenge, old scores and an impossible love come together in the series, which stars Uğur Güneş.
Şapkacı Kadınlar (The Hatmaker Women)
Produced by O3 Medya, Şapkacı Kadınlar (The Hatmaker Women) is a period drama set during the years surrounding the liberation of İzmir. Written by Şükrü Necati Şahin, the series follows Ayşe, a village woman who rewrites her own destiny following the Hat Revolution and eventually becomes a style icon.
The new project from Necati Şahin, the screenwriter of Red Roses, is scheduled to premiere in January.
ATV
Güneşin Doğduğu Yer (Where the Sun Rises)
Produced by TİMSBİ, Güneşin Doğduğu Yer (Where the Sun Rises) is one of the new season’s productions set in Adana, with Burak Özçivit in the lead role. Özçivit plays Kenan Kozan, alongside Sibel Taşçıoğlu, Görkem Sevindik, Devrim Yakut and Hilal Anay.
Aşk ve Taht (Love and the Throne)
Produced by Bozdağ Film, Aşk ve Taht (Love and the Throne) is set during the reign of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, one of the most prosperous periods of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. Combining a journey from prison to the throne with romance and palace intrigue, the series stars Akın Akınözü and Merjem Šiljak.
Directed by Yağmur Taylan and Durul Taylan, the series is ATV’s major historical production for the new season.
Hamal (The Porter)
Produced by KYN Yapım, Hamal (The Porter) stars Oktay Kaynarca and Fahriye Evcen. Kaynarca is also serving as a producer on the series, which is among the most anticipated productions of the new season.
The cast also includes Erdal Özyağcılar, Hakan Karsak, Yasemin Yazıcı, Caner Cindoruk, İpek Erdem, Burak Tozkoparan, Zeynep Kankonde, Taylan Meydan, Yiğit Uçan and Sarp Akkaya.
Villa Coral
A FARO and Sinehane co-production, Villa Coral follows Cemre, whose life changes after her husband mysteriously disappears following their wedding.
Hafsanur Sancaktutan, Kubilay Aka and Bertan Asllani star in the series. At Villa Coral in Tarsus, Cemre encounters secrets, a conflict between two families and a love story that begins to blossom in the middle of the feud.
Filmed in Tarsus, Mersin, the series is another new-season production placing a regional setting at the heart of its story. Yahya Samancı directs, while the screenplay is written by Ahunur Serdaroğlu, Atilla Özel, Nalan Merter Savaş and Nuriye Bilici.
TRT 1
Evlilik Güzeldir (Marriage Is Beautiful)
Produced by Greative Film, Evlilik Güzeldir (Marriage Is Beautiful) follows marriage registrar Mesut Bahtiyar and his family life with his five very different daughters.
Directed by Şafak Bal and Serap Danış Koçak, the series is written by Baykut Badem, Hasan Tolga Pulat, Hazan Toma and Seçil Çömlekçi.
The large ensemble cast includes Fikret Kuşkan, Hande Soral, İlayda Alişan, Berk Bakioğlu, Seçkin Özdemir, Yusuf Çim, Nil Sude Albayrak, Gözde Okur, Ferit Aktuğ, Anıl Çelik, Sera Tokdemir, Hazım Körmükçü, Öznur Ön, Hande Katipoğlu, Derda Yasir Yenal, Cansu Savcı, Feride Bağ, Alper Haliloğlu, Uğur Akay, Selin Soydan, Hayal Garip, Alihan Demirbilek, Sıla Gözüm, Anastasia Geptina and Yıldız Kültür.
The series is expected to premiere in August.
Series With No Channel Announced Yet
İyilik Öğretmeni (The Teacher of Kindness)
Produced by Ay Yapım, İyilik Öğretmeni (The Teacher of Kindness) follows Refik, an autistic teacher whose life and the lives of the people around him are transformed by his influence. The screenplay is being written by Onur Koralp and Damla Koralp.
Kaderin Cilvesi (The Twist of Fate)
Produced by Ay Yapım, Kaderin Cilvesi (The Twist of Fate) follows a woman with a past working in a nightclub who challenges her fate and struggles to rebuild her life.
Starring Neslihan Atagül, the series is written by Özlem Yılmaz and Anıl Eke, who were part of the Endless Love writing team. The project is among the most anticipated new productions, particularly as it marks Atagül’s return to television.
Susuz Yaz (Dry Summer)
Produced by Ay Yapım, Susuz Yaz (Dry Summer) is a television adaptation of Necati Cumalı’s classic novel of the same name.
Written by Sema Ergenekon, the series explores land, property and power relations, echoing the themes of Cumalı’s original work. The novel was previously adapted for the big screen by Metin Erksan in 1963, becoming one of the landmark films of Turkish cinema.
Key Trends of the 2026/2027 Season
Looking at the series being prepared for the new season, there is considerable variety in terms of genre and story, but several common themes emerge across the productions. Alongside stories centered on family relationships, power struggles, revenge and love, productions set in different parts of Anatolia and stories led by female characters are among the most notable trends of the new season.
Stories from Anatolia
The number of productions moving beyond Istanbul-centered storytelling and placing different parts of Anatolia at the heart of their narratives is particularly striking this season.
Adana, Çukurova, Tarsus, Sivas and Cappadocia shape the stories of series such as Adana Ayazı (The Chill of Adana), Güneşin Doğduğu Yer (Where the Sun Rises), Villa Coral, Karakuyu (Dark Well), Sevdan Bir Ateş (A Love Like Fire) and Anne Yarısı (Motherlike).
In these productions, location is more than a backdrop: the setting is directly connected to family relationships, unresolved conflicts from the past and the characters’ struggles to survive and rebuild their lives.
Family at the Center of Conflict
Family relationships form the foundation of the central conflict in a significant number of the new season’s series.
Although productions such as Haysiyet (Dignity), Karakuyu (Dark Well), Sevdam Karadeniz (My Love, the Black Sea), Tuzlu Kahve (Salted Coffee) and Adana Ayazı (The Chill of Adana) belong to different genres and have very different atmospheres, they share a common element: family lies at the center of their stories.
Love, Revenge and Power Struggles Intertwined
Romantic relationships in the new season’s series rarely exist as standalone stories. Love is often intertwined with conflicts between families, class differences, revenge and struggles for power.
In productions such as Sevdan Bir Ateş (A Love Like Fire) and Sevdam Karadeniz (My Love, the Black Sea), impossible romances collide with family feuds, while in Aşk ve Taht (Love and the Throne), romance unfolds alongside struggles for power within the palace.
A New Era for Historical Dramas
Historical productions remain among the genres attracting investment from Turkish television networks this season.
Aşk ve Taht (Love and the Throne) takes viewers to one of the most prosperous periods of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. With its high production expectations and expansive story world, the series stands out among the new historical productions.
The strong audience base that historical dramas have established on Turkish television over the years remains an important factor behind the genre’s continued presence in the new season.
Female Characters
Another notable feature of the new season is, as in previous years, the central role played by female characters.
In Karakuyu (Dark Well), Prosecutor Ferda returns to her hometown after escaping her past. In Ömür Usta (Master Ömür), Ömür is forced to rebuild her life with her children after being abandoned by her husband. Both characters drive their respective stories forward.
Productions such as Anne Yarısı (Motherlike) and Kaderin Cilvesi (The Twist of Fate) further reinforce the trend of placing women’s struggles and life journeys at the center of their narratives.
