This season, Turkish dramas are all about family drama! We’re seeing stories about families living together, flawed parents, forbidden loves, constant betrayals, and even secret looks at sisters-in-law. Interestingly, these themes were already popular 10 or 15 years ago. So, why has the past made such a strong comeback on TV this season?
“Is the past a mirror of the future?” It’s hard to say, but this season, it seems that TV screens have practically surrendered to the past. Unique productions aren’t drawing in ratings, and shows reminiscent of past Turkish dramas are locked in fierce weekly ratings battles. Yet, viewers had grown tired of the same recycled concepts being served to them repeatedly and were seeking out fresh and different projects. That’s why shows like Red Roses, One Love, and Blooming Lady were preferred. However, this season, viewers surprised both producers and channels by propelling Turkish dramas similar to those they used to watch in the past to the top of the ratings charts. Series like Far Away, Valley of Hearts, My Mother’s Tale, 6 of Us, The Good&The Bad, and Leyla may offer different narratives, but they evoke feelings that remind viewers of stories they’ve seen before. This creates such a familiar feeling that, even though the actors, settings, and scripts are different, viewers feel like they’re connecting with a story they already know.
VIEWERS SEEK A SENSE OF FAMILIARITY
Why have viewers, who once sought out different and fresh Turkish dramas, started turning to ones that feel like what they’ve seen before? The main reason seems to be instability. Türkiye today feels very different from even five years ago. Changing demographics, the refugee crisis, economic turmoil, rising violence, security threats, ecological problems, and cities dominated by urban transformation are overwhelming for viewers. People wake up unsure of what the day will bring, certain only that the money in their pocket will lose value by evening. This constant uncertainty causes anxiety. As a result, viewers are seeking a sense of “familiarity” in what they watch on screen to counterbalance the unpredictability of daily life. This drives them toward new versions of projects they’ve enjoyed in the past. In other words, in uncertain times, viewers don’t want to experience the same uncertainty or take risks with the shows they watch. Instead, they gravitate toward series where they know what to expect.
NOSTALGIA FOR THE PAST
Another key reason is nostalgia for the past. There’s no longer sincerity in music, films, art, or even in our daily conversations. Everyone is simply trying to get through the day without problems and make it back home. People wear metaphorical masks, trying to live without showing their emotions. Türkiye has essentially become a country of suppressed feelings. Because of the reasons I mentioned earlier, some wake up feeling like a ticking time bomb, while others go out of their way to avoid triggering them. As a result, everyone expresses longing for the past; a country where people greeted each other, offered help, smiled, spent time with their families, and didn’t sleep full while their neighbor was hungry. In Turkish dramas, however, the reflection of today’s Türkiye is mostly seen through intrigues and drama. That’s why the feelings people miss from the past continue to find their way onto the screen.
A SHARED THEME: FAMILIES LIVING TOGETHER
One of the most significant reasons for the return to the past is the emphasis on family unity.
If someone asked what all these Turkish dramas with different stories, actors, and settings have in common, we might initially say “nothing”. However, they do share one key characteristic: families living together. Despite the challenges, pressures, or unhappiness, these families live under one roof and gather around the same table. They may sometimes invade each other’s personal space and cause frustration, but when problems arise, they stand side by side, united and supportive. Even in rural areas, it’s becoming less common for families to live together. This, in turn, provides viewers, who often feel physically and emotionally alone, with the family environment they long for.
SOCIETY’S INFLUENCE ON THE SCREEN
It seems that the heaviness of politics is impacting society, and in turn, society is shaping what appears on screen. During such times, television becomes an even stronger shared source of entertainment, with more TV series being watched this season than before. This trend reflects the growing sense of nostalgia within society.
This article was featured in Episode Magazine’s Content Americas&Natpe global 2025 issue.
