Netflix may be the first streaming service to appreciate the popularity of Turkish drama, but it isn’t the only one. Disney + and Hulu together are creating quite a library of Turkish series, some already streaming and others in the works. As of now, there are 5 series with English subtitles that are either currently streaming or in the works to stream in 2023 on one or the other streaming service. Disney + has many others in the pipeline, but its not clear whether they are directed only to Turkish audiences or they will be available in English as well. As their status becomes clear, we will update this post.
Kacis
The series follows a war photographer Mehmet and a group of journalists from different countries captured by ISIS in Syria. In the series, a group who secretly cross the border to do research, fall into the hands of this radical terrorist organization following a raid. The series starring Engin Akyurek and Irem Helvacioglu was released in 2022 and is available for viewing on Hulu as well as Disney+.
El Turco
El Turco tells the story of Balaban Hasan, a soldier who served in the Janissary army, which consisted of European slaves who had converted to Islam. After the Battle of Vienna in 1683, Balaban Hasan settles in Moena in northern Italy, where he is nicknamed El Turco by the local people. The series stars Can Yaman as Balaban Hasan and Greta Ferro among others. The series is inspired by the novel “El Turco – II. Viyana Kusatmasinin Bilinmeyen Yönleri” by Orhan Yeniaras. In the novel, the Ottoman intelligence officer Balaban Aga, who was found wounded during the Second Siege of Vienna and rescued by the people of Moena, settles in their village and organizes a successful peasant uprising against the overlords who overtaxed the people. This novel tells the extraordinary story of Balaban Aga, but also the unknown aspects of the Second Siege of Vienna. The series produced by Ay Yapim and distributed by Disney + will air sometime in 2023.
Between the World and Us
Ilkin worries that her boyfriend, a famous actor, is no longer in love with her. One day, she decides to reach out to him from a fake social media account and almost creates the woman who can seduce her lover. The series features Demet Özdemir and Buğra Gülsoy. This MF Yapim production is currently streaming on Hulu.
Ben Gri (The Choice)
Fuat, a successful and respected lawyer tries to avenge an incident that happened to his daughter. In doing so, Fuat confronts the darkness within himself as he responds to mysterious phone messages that change his world. The crime drama series featuring Timucin Esen and Ebru Ozkan among others is available on Hulu.
Ataturk
This mini series tells the story of the life of the great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk the founder of the Turkish republic. The series stars Aras Bulut Iyinemli as the leader and Songul Oden as his mother. The mini series is scheduled to air on Disney + on October 29, 2023 on the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish republic. The six episode series was filmed over four weeks in North Macedonia. The series is directed by Mehmet Ada Öztekin and produced by Lanistar Media and O3 Medya from Turkey.Atatürktells the story of Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was educated in Bitola from 1896 to 1898. The cast also includes Esra Bilgiç, Mehmet Günsür, Berk Cankat, Darko Peric, and more. Around 1,500 extras of different ages from Bitola participated in the shooting.
Amazon with Filmbox
Most of us are familiar with the excellent Turkish movies that are available on Amazon Prime, but the streaming service has recently partnered with Filmbox (a subscription streaming service) to air Turkish series as well. Currently, the Amazon/Filmbox collaboration is airing iconic series such as Kurt Seyit ve Sura, Icerde, Kara Sevda, Karadayi and more.
Here are the series available on Amazon Prime w/Filmbox.
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