Whether you’re here for steamy slow burns, revenge plots that span generations, or epic family feuds that get solved (or worse, escalated) over a cup of Turkish tea—Turkish TV shows have got you covered.
With sweeping cinematography, emotional intensity cranked up to 11, and characters you’ll either fall for or want to throw a shoe at, this genre has officially gone global.
From soapy romances and historical epics to edgy crime thrillers, Turkey’s small-screen storytelling is in a league of its own.
So, if you’re ready to dive into drama, passion, and plot twists galore, here are the best Turkish series worth the binge.
Persona (Şahsiyet), puhutv/GAİN (2018 – 2024)
This gripping crime drama chronicles Agâh, a retired court clerk diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, who channels his fading memory into a chilling spree of vigilante justice.
Persona is dark, clever, and emotionally gutting, anchored by an Oscar-worthy performance from Haluk Bilginer.
With moody Istanbul streets as its backdrop, the show explores mortality, memory, and morality in a way that feels uniquely Turkish—and utterly unforgettable.
A binge that rewrites the crime genre in every twist.
Midnight at the Pera Palace (Pera Palas’ta Gece Yarısı), Netflix (2022 – 2024)
Time travel, Ottoman elegance, and Istanbul intrigue collide in this lush period fantasy.
Midnight at the Pera Palace follows Esra—a modern-day journalist—who stumbles into 1919 via a mysterious hotel room in the iconic Pera Palace.
She becomes embroiled in a historical conspiracy that threatens Turkey’s future.
It’s part historical puzzle, part whimsical romance, and totally binge-worthy for anyone fascinated by the past—and its hidden doorways.
Mr Wrong (Bay Yanlış), Fox (2020)
This cheeky romantic comedy follows Ezgi, a hopeless romantic, who unintentionally crashes into Özgür—a charming bar owner who’s emotionally unavailable.
Cue a whirlwind of mistaken identities, flirtatious banter, and swoon-worthy moments.
Mr Wrong bursts with feel-good energy, Can Yaman charm, and that signature Turkish rom-com flair. In just one season, it dished up viral chemistry and comedy that made hearts swoon across the globe.
Whether you’re team classic rom-com or secretly love a good meet-cute disaster, this series delivers all the feels with plenty of Turkish tea—and wardrobe goals.
Cranberry Sorbet (Kızılcık Şerbeti), Show TV (2022 – present)
Two families—one secular, one conservative—collide when their adult children marry, and Cranberry Sorbet becomes a simmering stew of values, generational clashes, and social expectations.
This drama drew both love and controversy, especially after a domestic violence storyline sparked censorship debates. Passionate fan campaigns even trended under #KızılcıkŞerbetineDokunma.
It’s gripping, emotional, and unapologetically Turkish—perfect for anyone who loves family drama with societal edge and feels like their own family gatherings come with subtitles.
Full Moon (Dolunay), Star TV (2017)
When culinary student Nazlı becomes the private chef of cold-hearted businessman Ferit, Full Moon swings from romantic comedy into emotional drama—like a soufflé that rises under pressure.
This one-season gem blends sizzling slow-burn romance with family secrets, stylish conflict, and a precocious kid named Bulut whose sweetness cuts through the tension.
Özge Gürel and Can Yaman light up the screen with their chemistry and charm.
It’s that summer fling you watch on repeat for the banter… and for Ferit’s brooding stares under Turkish moonlight.
Ezel, Show TV / ATV) (2009 – 2011)
Adapted from The Count of Monte Cristo, Ezel follows Ömer, a betrayed man who fakes his death and returns with a new identity to exact revenge on his former friends and love.
This edge-of-your-seat series spans two roller-coaster seasons filled with Istanbul’s dark alleys, powerful mob families, and mind-bending twists.
Kenan İmirzalıoğlu delivers a brooding performance as the titular avenger, navigating betrayal, class, and vengeance like a Turkish James Bond crossed with a Greek tragedy.
If you’ve ever cheered for a comeback drenched in style and emotional payoff, Ezel is your binge.
Ethos (Bir Başkadır), Netflix (2020)
Ethos is a bold and soulful dive into Istanbul’s social tapestry.
This eight-episode gem brings together characters from wildly different walks of life—from a conservative cleaner to a secular psychiatrist—each facing their own personal struggles.
The series doesn’t rely on glitz but instead delivers emotional complexity with cinematic quiet power. It challenges stereotypes and sparks thoughtful conversations about identity, religion, and empathy.
It’s a Turkish drama turned collective self-reflection, beautifully paced and deeply human. If you want gerçekte hissettiren dizi (a show that actually makes you feel something), start here.
50M², Netflix (2021)
A gritty yet quirky thriller that turns mistaken identity into a full-blown existential adventure.
Gölge, a brooding hitman, crashes into a tailor shop, fakes being the deceased tailor’s son, and suddenly—he’s part of the community.
This tight 8-episode series serves equal doses of action, mystery, and unlikely warmth under Istanbul’s gritty streets. It’s the kind of genre mashup that’s both chilling and oddly cozy.
Your next watch if you crave drama with a heartbeat and a wardrobe change.
Another Self (Zeytin Ağacı), Netflix (2022 – 2024)
When three lifelong friends retreat to a seaside town, they don’t expect spiritual revelations, buried trauma, and emotional breakthroughs sparked by past secrets.
Another Self follows Ada, Sevgi, and Leyla as they confront their deepest pains under the Turkish sun.
This series is soaked in atmosphere and emotional honesty. A beautiful reminder that friendships can mend wounds—and sometimes making peace with your past is the only way forward.
As the Crow Flies (Kuş Uçuşu), Netflix (2022 – 2024)
As the Crow Flies blends ambition, envy, and the harsh glare of fame in modern Istanbul.
Aslı, a resourceful yet edgy journalism grad, weasels her way into the newsroom of respected anchor Lale—only to wake up trapped in a swirling vortex of power plays and masked intentions.
Spanning three seasons, the show’s glossy visuals and sharp performances (especially from Birce Akalay and Miray Daner) make it binge-ready.
It’s newsroom chaos meets psychological warfare, with cocktails, betrayal, and gaslit glory.
If TV satire had Ottoman roots, As the Crow Flies would be its sleek, vengeful heir.
The Club (Kulüp), Netflix (2021 – 2023)
Set against the shimmering yet crumbling backdrop of 1950s Istanbul, The Club follows Matilda, a newly freed convict and Sephardic Jew, as she tries to reconnect with her estranged daughter by taking a job at an elite nightclub.
This two-part period drama dives into Turkey’s multi-cultural history, draped in vintage suits, Ladino songs, and emotional power struggles.
It’s literally history wrapped in glamorous sorrow—with matriarchal strength and forbidden disco hummed in three languages.
Stylish, intelligent, and deeply emotional, The Club makes the past feel alive—and heart-poundingly cinematic.
The Steppe (Bozkır), BluTV (2018 – present)
When a child’s murder shakes a small Turkish town, actor‑turned‑cop Seyfi and rookie Nuri enter a web of lies, secrets, and power.
The Steppe is a slow-burn crime drama streaming on BluTV—equal parts atmospheric thriller and rural noir.
With dusty streets, muted emotions, and conspiracies that run deep, it feels like reading crime fiction while staring at a faded map of Anatolia.
The moody tone, realistic pacing, and stellar chemistry keep you hooked episode after episode.
It’s not melodrama—it’s mooddrama, in the best possible “I can’t sleep until I know whodunit” kind of way.
The Gift (Atiye), Netflix (2019 – 2021)
Mystery, mythology, and surreal visuals collide in this Netflix fantasy hit.
The Gift follows a painter whose life spirals after discovering a cosmic symbol at ancient Göbekli Tepe.
Across three seasons, it delves into reincarnation, secret orders, and self-discovery—all while traversing mystical landscapes and modern Istanbul.
Beren Saat anchors the series with a haunting performance, carrying the show’s eerie atmosphere and spiritual depth.
Get ready for goosebumps, ancient secrets, and art that really paints your soul.
Love 101 (Aşk 101), Netflix (2020 – 2021)
Teen misfits, friendship missions, and Y2K nostalgia collide in this irresistibly goofy teen drama.
Set in 1998 Istanbul, Love 101 gathers four high school misfits on a noble quest: make their beloved teacher fall in love so she’ll stay at their school.
Over two heartwarming seasons, they navigate crushes, identity, and first love with diner hangouts and 90s fashion flair.
It’s scattered, emotional, and hilarious—and it captures the chaos of adolescence by giving us the squad goals we always needed.
A Round of Applause (Kuvvetli Bir Alkış), Netflix (2024)
This existential dramedy is as quirky as its title.
A Round of Applause follows Mehmet, a man stuck between past trauma and an oddly bizarre present, where his inner child still wants applause.
This six-episode psychological gem expertly balances melancholy and dark humor—wrapped in warm family dysfunction and surreal beats. It’s not your typical drama; think therapy meets dinner table chaos.
If existential dread sounded like a punchline, A Round of Applause is the punch—sharp, comedic, and weirdly comforting.
Shahmaran (Şahmaran), Netflix (2023 – 2024)
Dive into Turkish myth reimagined in Shahmaran, a spellbinding Netflix fantasy drama.
Șahsu, a psychology lecturer thrown into a mysterious prophecy, becomes entwined with Maran and a secret community that adores a mythical half-woman, half-snake creature.
With its cinematic landscapes, emotional mythology, and a résurgence of folklore, the series blends romance and supernatural intrigue in a way that feels both timeless and modern.
Thank You, Next (Kimler Geldi Kimler Geçti), Netflix (2024 – 2025)
Thank You, Next follows Leyla Taylan, a freshly single lawyer navigating Istanbul’s high-stakes dating scene—with stylish flair and fierce friends in her corner.
Filled with fashion, heartbreak, and messy intellectual charm, it’s part sex comedy, part friendship anthem—dramatizing what happens when your ex, a fling, and a divorce client all re-enter your life at once.
If you love modern Turkish rom-coms with aesthetic overload and emotional crochet, Thank You, Next is glossy chaos—and emotionally satisfying drama in equal measure.
The Tailor (Terzi), Netflix (2023 – present)
In The Tailor, a celebrated Istanbul-based tailor must hide the fact that his mentally disabled father—blissfully innocent but socially stigmatized—is living with him.
When a woman fleeing an abusive relationship crashes into his life, secrets begin unraveling in beautifully tailored chaos.
The series masters brooding mystery, melancholic costumes, and emotional secrets layered like fabric. Every dinner conversation is loaded, every stitch might conceal betrayal, and the plot sews tension into your soul.
It’s noir energy with a Turkish couture twist that you’ll binge faster than you can say “pattern matching.”
Back Streets (Arka Sokaklar), Kanal D (2006 – present)
Back Streets is classic Turkish prime-time: hard-bitten cops, criminal hijinks, family drama, and endless plotlines across Istanbul’s shadowy alleys.
Boasting over 19 seasons and 700+ episodes, it’s like Law & Order: Istanbul meets soap-opera pace—over-the-top action, heartwarming teambonding, and continuity glitches so legendary they’ve become part of the charm.
It’s nostalgia in motion, comforting viewers with familiar characters and story arcs that stretch longer than your favorite family saga.
You may forgive the logic errors just to keep watching the team fight crime and water cooler gossip.
The Last Emperor (Payitaht: Abdülhamid), TRT (2017 – 2021)
The Last Emperor takes viewers back to the intricate web of late Ottoman politics and palace intrigue.
The series chronicles Sultan Abdülhamid II’s fight to preserve his empire amid internal dissent and external threats.
With regal costumes, high-stakes diplomacy, and a deep dive into late-19th-century geopolitics, it’s like The Crown—but with more janissaries and less palette.
It’s a compelling watch for anyone who loves history, power dynamics, and a dose of Turkish regal grandeur.
Valley of the Wolves (Kurtlar Vadisi), Show TV / Kanal D (2003 – 2005)
Welcome to the Turkish underworld—where the suits are sharp, the stakes are high, and the action is pure chaos.
Valley of the Wolves follows Polat Alemdar, an undercover agent trying to infiltrate the mafia, and it’s been called Turkey’s answer to James Bond.
The series was a cultural phenomenon and sparked multiple spinoffs and movies.
It’s the kind of show that practically invented Turkish political-thriller swagger. Buckle up—it gets wild.
The Prince (Prens), BluTV (2023 – present)
Royal comedy? Yes, please. The Prince is a satirical gem set in a fictional Balkan kingdom where a spoiled heir—impossibly clueless and totally unprepared—must suddenly rule.
The series throws palace politics into full-blown absurdity, poking fun at monarchy tropes, toxic masculinity, and post-modern chaos.
It’s The Great meets Turkish absurdism, served with a crown and a shot of espresso. Bonus: the production design is ridiculously fun, and the dialogue is sharp enough to cut royal silverware.
If you’re into power, parody, and palace-level pettiness, The Prince reigns supreme.
Forbidden Love (Aşk‑ı Memnu), Kanal D (2008 – 2010)
Sin, scandal, and Istanbul opulence collide in Forbidden Love, the original Turkish seduction saga.
It’s a tale of a young beauty, Bihter, who marries into a wealthy Istanbul family only to fall for her husband’s nephew, which became cultural lightning.
This forbidden affair tore hearts and rewrote Turkish TV rules with jaw-dropping twists and tragic romance.
Beren Saat and Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ’s electrifying performances turned the show into a global obsession—think afternoon tea with a cinematic dash of dramatic betrayal.
If you measure drama by broken hearts per minute, this one’s peak.
My Little Girl (Kızım), TV8 (2018 – 2019)
My Little Girl follows Demir, a slick conman whose world turns upside-down when he’s saddled with custody of his preternaturally clever daughter Öykü, after her aunt vanishes.
The emotionally charged drama blends tear-jerking father-daughter moments with moral redemption arcs and romantic angst. Beren Gökyıldız charmed audiences as Öykü, and Bugra Gülsoy anchored the show’s gritty vulnerability.
It’s a Turkish soap with soul, reminding us that parenting can sneak up on you—and heal wounds villains didn’t know they had.
North South (Kuzey Güney), Kanal D (2011 – 2013)
Two brothers—one hothead, one idealist—compete for the same woman and each other’s approval in Kuzey Güney.
This brotherhood-laced melodrama became a Turkish telenovela staple. It’s layered with rivalry, class conflict, and sizzling tension as they navigate love and betrayal in Istanbul’s glittering but unforgiving background.
Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ’s brooding charm as Kuzey and Buğra Gülsoy’s steady cool as Güney made this show a ratings titan—and your next binge when you need a drama fix with broody hearts and high stakes.
Winds of Love (Rüzgarlı Tepe), Kanal 7 (2023 – 2024)
Winds of Love is a classic Turkish romantic drama where heirloom estates collide with revenge and long-lost love.
It unfolds in a rural setting full of secrets, betrayals, and dramatic plot turns. Viewers were divided—some binge-watched the chemistry and countryside angst, while others complained the heroine narrowly escaped being killed in every episode.
Despite the chaos, it ruled the comfort-cable niche with its lush beats and forbidden romance.
Think seasonal drama vibes, melodrama, and Turkish sunsets—perfect for when you want love, tension, and a bit of “finally, they’re together (maybe).”
The Lizard (Kertenkele), ATV (2014 – 2016)
Meet Kertenkele: master thief, charming trickster, and secret hero who’s always one heist ahead of the cops.
The Lizard spans three action-packed seasons full of stunt work, neighborhood loyalties, and comedic disguises. Think Robin Hood meets Turkish flair—with capers, heart, and unexpected redemption arcs sprinkled throughout.
Kertenkele’s double life got viewers rooting for the crook who stole watches—and hearts.
It was crime, comedy, and community wrapped into one, proving even liars can have loyalties—and that sweaters are easier to change than your morals.
Vendetta (Kan Çiçekleri), Kanal D (2022 – 2025)
Feuding families, arranged marriages, and a vengeance that’s never on mute.
When Dilan and Baran must marry to end a century-old feud, they find themselves stuck between tradition and genuine connection—while their meddling uncle keeps reigniting the conflict.
It’s Ottoman‑vibe romance with land, legacy, and love tangled in every word. If you enjoy Turkish emotional intensity, Vendetta delivers heartbreak and hope with every episode.
Blooming Lady (Bahar), Show TV (2024 – present)
Blooming Lady is the ultimate second-chance drama about a brilliant housewife rediscovering herself.
Bahar, once a dedicated doctor, put her career on hold for family—until a health scare forces her back into residency, under the wings of her husband (Chief Surgeon) and alongside her son.
With heart-tugging moments, powerful reinvention themes, and a dash of medical suspense, the show is about self-empowerment in stylish scrubs.
Love Is in the Air (Sen Çal Kapımı), Fox (2020 – 2021)
This Turkish rom-com, also known as You Knock on My Door, soared into hearts nationwide with a textbook enemies-to-lovers twist.
Eda, a determined landscape architecture student, loses her scholarship thanks to Serkan, a cold powerhouse architect. So he proposes a fake engagement to help him get back at his ex-girlfriend and for her to get a job at his company.
That temporary plan quickly transforms into romantic chaos, complete with skyscraper offices, stolen glances, and fake-fiancé-level tension.
Hande Erçel and Kerem Bürsin blew up on social media, the show broke Twitter records (even out-tweeting Game of Thrones), and audiences couldn’t get enough of the fake romance that turned real.
Love for Rent (Kiralık Aşk), Star TV (2015 – 2017)
This beloved rom-com follows Defne, a spunky waitress who “rents” a fake fiancé in the form of wealthy Ömer to win back her scholarship—and unexpectedly steals hearts instead.
Kiralık Aşk delivered office romance, clever banter, and fashion inspo galore.
With Barış Arduç and Elçin Sangu’s chemistry powering every awkward embrace and narrowly avoided heartbreak, the show became a timely classic.
Think “rich guy fakes love, catches real heart”—only with Istanbul’s florals, coffee, and constant flirtation fueling the fire.
Mother (Anne), Star TV (2016 – 2017)
A Turkish remake of the Japanese drama Mother, this emotional powerhouse follows Zeynep, a substitute teacher, who rescues Melek, a 7-year-old suffering abuse, and the bond that transforms both their lives.
It’s raw, compassionate, and cinematic, delivering maternal love wrapped in suspense. The series was a hit locally and internationally, earning Turkey’s heart (and global viewership).
It’s less TV drama, more emotional rescue mission—proof that the fiercest heroines don’t wear capes; they just love harder.
Wounded Love (Vatanım Sensin), Kanal D (2016 – 2018)
This sweeping historical drama follows Colonel Cevdet during the Turkish War of Independence, blending personal sacrifice with national turmoil.
Featuring Halit Ergenç and Bergüzar Korel, Vatanım Sensin delivered epic wartime plots, forbidden love, and political loyalty clashes.
With its stirring sense of patriotism, sweeping cinematography, and emotional arcs that could make Stone Cold Steve Austin cry, it’s at once a love letter and a battle hymn to Turkey’s birth.
Sapphire (Safir), ATV (2023 – 2024)
Set against the mesmerizing landscapes of Cappadocia, Sapphire brings family secrets and forbidden love to life.
As the Gülsoy family floods back together to preserve their legacy, romantic tension brews between brothers and a servant-turned-wife, and everything shatters one fateful night.
With sweeping visuals, multilayered drama, and love tangled in lineage, Sapphire does Turkish prime-time like a masterclass in emotional suspense.
It’s historical intensity with a modern twist—and yep, it’ll rip your heart out before putting it right back.
Daydreamer (Erkenci Kuş), Star TV (2018 – 2019)
If you love your rom-coms with a healthy dose of chaos, Daydreamer is the Turkish delight you’ve been craving.
Sanem is a quirky, free-spirited dreamer who ends up working at a fancy ad agency—and falling for the brooding, motorcycle-riding creative director, Can.
Fake identities, workplace mishaps, slow-burn tension… it’s all here, wrapped in sunshine and Istanbul charm.
Erkenci Kuş became an international hit thanks to the electric chemistry between leads Demet Özdemir and Can Yaman.
It’s funny, flirty, and full of swoon-worthy stares. Basically, it’s your new favorite comfort show in waiting.
Black and White Love (Siyah Beyaz Aşk), Kanal D (2017 – 2018)
A mafia sniper and a principled doctor collide—and fall into love.
In Black and White Love, also known as Price of Passion, doctor Aslı witnesses a hit, only to be “rescued” by the perpetrator, Ferhat, who insists she marry him instead of disappearing—rom-com rules, Turkish style.
It’s dark, witty, and swoon-worthy—with guns in one hand and love declarations in the other.
If you love mafia romances, this one serves frozen hearts and warm reunions like nobody’s business.
Strawberry Smell (Çilek Kokusu), Star TV (2015)
Set in the seaside paradise of Bodrum, Strawberry Smell tells the story of Aslı, who loses her job after an accident and finds herself working at a hotel owned by the guy responsible, Burak.
This one-season rom-com is all beachy bliss, accidental romance, and gorgeous Turkish summer aesthetics.
It’s familiar (rich CEO meets underdog), but with enough strawberry-sweet tension and surfside banter to keep you hooked.
If you need lightweight romance with ocean views and serendipitous chemistry, Strawberry Smell delivers—preferably with a side of iced tea.
Black Money Love (Kara Para Aşk), ATV (2014 – 2015)
A detective and an artist bond while solving intertwined murders—and unravel the power of secrets and stolen jewels.
Black Money Love delivers suspense, romance, and moral ambiguity in elegant Istanbul frames.
Engin Akyürek and Tuba Büyüküstün’s chemistry anchored this action-packed saga with stolen diamonds, mafia ties, and emotional depth. It’s the perfect blend of mystery and melodrama, with Istanbul’s underbelly and high society clashing like diamonds on velvet.
For anyone who binges detective dramas with a side of lush emotions, this one checks all the boxes.
The Ring (Halika), TRT 1 (2019)
In The Ring, two men—from opposite sides of the law—get tangled in a dangerous web of notebooks, blood ties, and organized crime.
It’s a twisty exploration of fate, identity, and revenge. Istanbul’s dark alleys offer the perfect backdrop for betrayals that echo through generations.
As characters race to uncover who controls the “Ring,” viewers can’t help being pulled into their labyrinthine chase.
Crime, mystery, and emotional collision—Halka is Turkish noir with a pulse you won’t stop feeling.
Our Story (Bizim Hikaye), Fox (2017 – 2019)
Imagine Shameless with Istanbul flavor—and you’re halfway to Our Story.
This heartfelt saga follows Filiz, who becomes mother to her five younger siblings when her mother vanishes.
It blends struggling-class realism with romantic hope when Barış enters their lives.
It’s messy, resilient, and full of sibling dynamics that feel acutely real. Filiz’s grit, humor, and near-miraculous ability to keep her family afloat made viewers root for her from day one.
Turkish drama that hits hard in the heart—and feels a lot like home.
Endless Love (Kara Sevda), Star TV (2015 – 2017)
Great love stories never die. Endless Love is a romantic epic about forbidden class-crossed love between Kemal and Nihan, painful goodbyes, and a comeback fueled by destiny.
The show made history as the first Turkish series to win an International Emmy, and it remains a binge-worthy classic across 110 countries.
With riverside heartbreak, minefield heartbreak, and a love that refuses to fade—even through tragedy—it’s the Turkish telenovela gold standard. Bring tissues.
My Left Side (Sol Yanim), Star TV (2020 – 2021)
Class barriers, family secrets, and unexpected romance—the recipe for My Left Side.
Sol Yanim, also known as My Better Half, follows Serra, a driven scholarship student now forming a family in a new neighborhood, as she clashes (and then connects) with the wealthy heir Selim.
The chemistry is palpable, the drama is real, and the slow-burn attraction keeps you hooked.
It’s a meet-cute filtered through socio-cultural divides—distilled into one compelling season of intimacy, growth, and style.