10 Must-Watch Turkish Shows Available on Netflix - MovieWeb
Although dramas and international content have increasingly become popular in recent years due to the arrival of streaming, as well as globalization, Turkish television shows have become some of the biggest winners. Türkiye has had some heavy-hitting movies in the past few years, especially due to the work of filmmakers like Nuri Bilge Ceylan, but the television dramas became more popular across the Middle Eastern and Arab world, then spread with the diaspora. Now, these shows are watched throughout the globe.
Despite Turkish being relatively learned in classrooms outside the Turkic world, the language and cultural barriers are easily overcome. From tense melodramas to epic historical dramas packed full of action and fights, these Turkish dramas have been establishing their own unique tropes and a name for themselves.
Up until recently, they've been harder to find with English subtitles, but due to their popularity, platforms like Netflix have been taking notice, gradually increasing the Turkish television presence on the platform for audiences to consume. That said, whether you're a novice or seasoned in this realm of television, these are some of the must-watch Turkish shows to watch on Netflix.
10 As the Crow Flies (2022-Present)
Released in 2022, As the Crow Flies shows what happens when obsession elevates to the next level. Its main character is a young woman who is a devoted fan of a newsroom anchor, but she decides to take her obsession to the next level. She manages to get her way into working with him, but when she gets what she wants, she realizes there are some negative impacts related to everything she's done up to this point.
Why It's Great
As the Crow Flies isn't known for its plot, as it can be pretty generic and predictable at times, but the actors' performances elevate the scripts they have. The casting is really good in this show, and it is surprisingly high quality despite the setbacks with the story.
9 The Club (2021-203)
The second season of The Club premiered in 2023, but this Netflix original series initially came out two years prior, in 2021. Set in 1950s Istanbul, the main character, Matilda, is an ex-convict and Sephardic Jew preparing to move to Israel. When she learns her daughter is in trouble, Matilda begins working at a club that puts her at odds against some powerful people in the city.
Why It's Great
The Club's main character belongs to an ethnic and religious minority in the country, making this kind of television series a form of representation as well. The Club is unafraid to bring up topics that other Turkish dramas avoid politically, making it a fascinating, must-watch series if one is interested in this kind of history.
8 Midnight at the Pera Palace (2022-Present)
2022's Midnight at the Pera Palace consists of one season so far, as Season 2 is in the midst of filming, but it has a fascinating topic. Its main character is an orphaned journalist writing a piece on the Pera Palace Hotel, and when she learns about a young woman who committed a heroic act in the 1910s, she discovers one of the hotel rooms is a portal to the past. When she goes to bed, she finds herself thrust in Istanbul in 1919, which is a completely different world.
Why It's Great
As a period piece about time travel, Midnight at the Pera Palace is incredible. It's one of the best Turkish shows when it comes to the era it's depicting, and its story is fine-tuned as well. While it might seem a little far-fetched in the beginning, the Netflix series finds its groove pretty quickly after the first few episodes.
7 Who Were We Running From? (2023)
Released in 2023, Who Were We Running From? takes its subject matter literally with its title. A mother and daughter live on the run, moving from hotel to hotel, and the daughter has no idea why her mother keeps moving them around like this. As it turns out, her mother has her reasons, but it will take the entire miniseries to uncover the truth behind their situation.
Why It's Great
Mystery surrounds the story of Who Were We Running From?, and one of the most refreshing aspects of the Netflix series is its discussions on the patriarchal society in Turkey. While the story might be hit or miss, this is a television show worth checking out at least once.
6 Shahmaran (2023-Present)
A series that was released on the streaming platform in 2023, Shahmaran is named after the mythical creature of the same name. A young woman is haunted by the disappearance of her grandfather, and heads to confront him in Adana. But on the way there, she comes across the Mar, who believe in the folklore and legends of the Shahmaran. Although she doesn't believe in these fairy tales, she's going to learn there is some truth to it.
Why It's Great
For those who might not know a lot about Turkish and Iranian folklore, this is a series that might serve as a perfect gateway into such a rich culture. The story is very interesting because of how it weaves together the contemporary world and folklore, making it a compelling watch for some.
5 Another Self (2022-Present)
In Another Self, three friends decide to take a trip to the city of Ayvalik, which is located on the western coast of Turkey facing Greece. There, they aim to heal themselves spiritually and medically from everything that's been ailing them, as they're all coping with trauma to some degree. Some of it is generational, as one character is dealing with the fact her family was impacted by the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s.
Why It's Great
The story behind Another Self is deeply refreshing and brilliant at times in how it touches upon sensitive subjects that aren't brought up in mainstream discussions. In a country grappling with immense changes and trauma in the last century, shows like these are needed now more than ever.
4 Fatma (2021-Present)
In Fatma, an ordinary cleaning lady is brought into an incredible series of circumstances after the disappearance of her husband. As she tries to find out what happened to him, to restore the life they once had, she ends up committing a murder in the process. Fatma realizes this could ruin her life, so in order to cover up the crimes she's committed, she does even more.
Why It's Great
Although some might dismiss dramas in general due to their plots, especially when it comes to romance, Fatma's premise is unique for a Turkish genre. Well-written and executed, this is an underrated Netflix show that deserves more recognition on the global stage.
3 The Tailor (2023)
Across three seasons, all released in 2023, The Tailor is packed full of drama and is juicy with gossip. Its main character is a famous Turkish tailor who has been hired to make a wedding dress for his best friend's fiance, but as he takes on the job, many secrets are about to be uncovered. The show grapples with mental illness and differences within families and people, making it an ideal watch for those looking for a unique twist on the typical Turkish drama.
Why It's Great
The Tailor can be unconventional, but it keeps audiences wanting more — hence why more seasons keep coming out from the show. At times, this is a television show that even feels like more of a movie because of the cinematography, enhancing the viewing experience even more throughout.
2 The Gift (2019-2021)
Turkish actor Beren Saat stars in Netflix's The Gift, which was released in 2019. Since then, it has run for three seasons, and it has been confirmed the third season is the final one. Saat portrays Atiye, who constantly draws a symbol for fertility without knowing its meaning. A painter and teacher, in the midst of one of her art showings, an archeologist discovers an artifact that has the same exact symbol Atiye has been drawing for years.
Why It's Great
Although The Gift might begin to lose steam for some viewers by Season 3, the show has been praised for how well it mixes elements of fantasy into its plot. Led by a cast that acts really well, this is a series that one becomes invested in without even wanting to when pressing play for the first time.
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