Turkish TV series have long been a genre of their own for Ukrainian viewers: 1+1, Novyi Kanal and Bigudi have aired them for years. We picked the 20 best Turkish TV series that are already finished and split them into four groups: dramas, romantic comedies, historical sagas, and crime and thrillers. Each comes with years, network, seasons and episodes, plus a short spoiler-free setup.
In short
- A grand historical saga: The Magnificent Century, 4 seasons and 139 episodes.
- Enemies to lovers: Kiralık Aşk, No: 309 and Acil Aşk Aranıyor.
- For a few evenings: Aşkın Tarifi (13 episodes) or Bay Yanlış (14 episodes).
- Award winners: Family Secrets and Şahsiyet, both with International Emmys.
Turkish dramas: seven completed series
Family secrets, hard choices and strong female leads.
Binbir Gece
Binbir Gece (One Thousand and One Nights) is a romantic drama loosely inspired by the Scheherazade tales. Architect Şehrazat is raising her son Kaan alone after her husband’s death, and when the boy is diagnosed with leukemia she urgently needs money for his treatment. The only person willing to help is her boss Onur, and his offer comes with a humiliating condition. Bergüzar Korel and Halit Ergenç star; in Ukraine it aired on 1+1 and Bigudi. Why watch: a classic melodrama built around a strong central couple.
Adını Feriha Koydum
Adını Feriha Koydum (I Named Her Feriha) is a melodrama about Feriha, a doorman’s daughter who wins a scholarship to an elite university. There Emir, a wealthy student, falls for her, believing she comes from money too. Hazal Kaya and Çağatay Ulusoy star; in Ukraine it aired on 1+1, Bigudi and 2+2. Why watch: a love story tested by the social gap between its leads.
Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne?
Official trailer · “Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne?” (2010)Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne? (What Is Fatmagül’s Fault?) is a drama based on Vedat Türkali’s script, which had already been filmed in 1986. A young woman’s life is torn apart by a crime committed by the sons of wealthy families, and to keep them out of prison Fatmagül is forced to marry one of the men who were there that night. Beren Saat, Engin Akyürek and Engin Öztürk star; in Ukraine it aired on 1+1 and Bigudi. Why watch: a hard but powerful story about justice.
Anne
Official trailer · “Anne” (2016)Anne (Mother) is the Turkish adaptation of the Japanese drama Mother. Teacher Zeynep realizes that her young pupil Melek is being mistreated at home and makes a desperate decision: she takes the girl, gives her a new name and tries to become a real mother to her. Cansu Dere, Vahide Perçin and Beren Gökyıldız star; in 2017 the show won a Tokyo Drama Awards prize, and the young actress playing Melek was named best child actress. Why watch: just one season, packed with emotion.
Kadın
Official trailer · “Kadın” (2017)Kadın (Woman) is based on the 2013 Japanese drama of the same name. Bahar is left alone with two children after her husband’s mysterious death and fights every day to keep the family afloat. Özge Özpirinçci and Caner Cindoruk star; in 2018 the show won Golden Butterfly awards for best actress and best child actors, plus a special Tokyo Drama Awards prize. In Ukraine it aired on 1+1 and Bigudi. Why watch: for fans of dramas about the strength of ordinary people.
Sadakatsiz
Official trailer · “Sadakatsiz” (2020)Sadakatsiz (The Unfaithful) is the Turkish adaptation of the British series Doctor Foster. Doctor Asya seems to have a perfect life and a husband, Volkan, whom she sees as reliable and a wonderful father, until she finds another woman’s hair on his scarf. Cansu Dere, Caner Cindoruk and Melis Sezen star; in Ukraine it aired on 1+1 Ukraine and Bigudi. Why watch: a psychological drama whose tension builds with every episode.
Çalıkuşu
Çalıkuşu (The Wren) adapts Reşat Nuri Güntekin’s novel. Feride loses her mother early, studies at a French boarding school and, after her father’s death, is left in her aunt’s care; she falls for her cousin Kamran, who does not take her seriously. Fahriye Evcen and Burak Özçivit star. The show was cancelled before the story was finished. Why watch: a handsome drama based on a classic Turkish novel.
Romantic comedies: from enemies to lovers
At first the leads can’t stand each other, and you can guess the rest. Light viewing for the evening.
Kiralık Aşk
Kiralık Aşk (Love for Rent) is a romantic comedy about Defne, a waitress who urgently needs money to pay off her brother’s debt. Businessman Ömer’s aunt offers her a deal: marry him and then leave him. Barış Arduç and Elçin Sangu star; in Ukraine it aired on Novyi Kanal and Bigudi. It also appears in our list of Turkish love series. Why watch: the classic enemies-to-lovers setup.
Acil Aşk Aranıyor
Acil Aşk Aranıyor is a romantic comedy about Nisan, a young and clumsy doctor. On her first day in a new place she quarrels with her neighbour Sinan, and at the hospital it turns out he is the colleague she will be assisting. Duygu Yetiş and Serhat Teoman star; in Ukraine it aired on Novyi Kanal. Why watch: light and short, only 24 episodes.
No: 309
Official trailer · “No: 309” (2016)No: 309 opens with a video will: a wealthy grandfather promises a share of the family company to the first grandchild who marries and has a child. Onur and Lale meet on a mixed-up blind date that ends in hotel room 309, and three months later Lale finds out she is pregnant, so they have to get married. Demet Özdemir and Furkan Palalı star. Why watch: a marriage of convenience and plenty of family intrigue.
Bay Yanlış
Bay Yanlış (Mr. Wrong) is a romantic comedy about Ezgi, who has reached thirty without meeting the right man, and Özgür, owner of a popular Istanbul restaurant who stopped trusting women long ago. They meet after getting into the same taxi, and Özgür offers to help Ezgi with advice. Can Yaman and Özge Gürel star. Why watch: just 14 episodes, perfect for a few evenings.
Aşkın Tarifi
Official trailer · “Aşkın Tarifi” (2021)Aşkın Tarifi (Recipe of Love) is a comedy drama about Fırat, the cook at a cosy kebab restaurant, whose life changes after he follows the advice of TV’s “Doctor Love”. Fate brings him to an elegant French restaurant and its owner, Naz. Kadir Doğulu and Serra Arıtürk star; in Ukraine it aired on Bigudi in 2025. Why watch: a light story about cooking and two very different worlds.
Historical Turkish series
Sultans, nomads and a 19th-century detective.
Muhteşem Yüzyıl
Muhteşem Yüzyıl (The Magnificent Century) follows Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem, known in Ukraine as Roxelana, along with the fight for the throne and life in the harem. Screenwriter Meral Okay said most of the plot is fiction, though it is based on historical events. In Ukraine it aired on 1+1 from 2012; similar shows are collected in our list of shows like The Magnificent Century. Why watch: a grand saga full of palace intrigue.
Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem
Official trailer · “Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem” (2015)Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem continues the saga with a new generation. At its centre is Kösem Sultan, favourite of Sultan Ahmed I and mother of two future sultans, Murad IV and Ibrahim I; the story begins in 1603, when young Anastasia is brought to the palace. Beren Saat and Ekin Koç star; in Ukraine it aired on 1+1 and Bigudi. Why watch: if you want more after The Magnificent Century.
Diriliş: Ertuğrul
Official trailer · “Diriliş: Ertuğrul” (2014)Diriliş: Ertuğrul (Resurrection: Ertuğrul) is a historical adventure series set in the 13th century. It centres on Ertuğrul, father of Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire, as he leads his Kayı tribe through wars and shifting alliances in Anatolia. Engin Altan Düzyatan and Esra Bilgiç star; the story later continued in Kuruluş: Osman. It is also in our list of Turkish historical series. Why watch: for fans of epic battles and long sagas.
Filinta
Official trailer · “Filinta” (2014)Filinta was the first Turkish detective series set in the Ottoman era. Filinta, an investigator attached to the Ministry of Justice in late 19th-century Istanbul, solves crimes and uncovers plots; a replica of old Pera, complete with its tram, was built for the shoot. Onur Tuna plays the lead. Why watch: a period drama and a classic detective story in one.
Crime and thrillers
Revenge, investigations and two International Emmys.
Ezel
Official trailer · “Ezel” (2009)Ezel is a crime thriller loosely adapted from Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo. Ömer Uçar is betrayed by his closest friends and the woman he loves, and he returns as Ezel to take revenge. Kenan İmirzalıoğlu and Cansu Dere star; the story is set in present-day Istanbul. Why watch: a revenge story that is hard to pause.
Kara Para Aşk
Official trailer · “Kara Para Aşk” (2014)Kara Para Aşk (Black Money Love) is a crime drama. Police inspector Ömer arrives at the scene of a crash and finds his fiancée Sibel in the car next to a stranger named Ahmet; refusing to believe it was an ordinary accident, he starts his own investigation. Engin Akyürek and Tuba Büyüküstün star. Why watch: a detective story and a melodrama in one.
Şahsiyet
Official trailer · “Şahsiyet” (2018)Şahsiyet (Persona) is a crime drama written by novelist Hakan Günday. Retiree Ağah, 65, learns he has Alzheimer’s disease, while homicide detective Nevra does not yet suspect that their paths have long been leading to each other. Haluk Bilginer won the 2019 International Emmy for Best Actor for playing Ağah. Why watch: the first season is just 12 episodes of about an hour each.
Family Secrets
Official trailer · “Family Secrets” (2021)Family Secrets (Yargı) is a psychological thriller and legal drama. Respected prosecutor Ilgaz and young lawyer Ceylin cross paths over a murder case and are forced to work together to find the real culprit. Kaan Urgancıoğlu and Pınar Deniz star; in 2023 the show won the International Emmy for Best Telenovela. Why watch: a twisty investigation and a strong lead duo.
Where to start
- Kiralık Aşk: if you want light romance with a classic setup.
- Family Secrets: if you prefer investigations and a twisty plot.
- The Magnificent Century: if you are ready for a big historical saga.
More Turkish stories are in our lists of Turkish love series, Turkish historical series, shows like Love Is in the Air and shows like The Golden Boy (Yalı Çapkını).
FAQ
Which Turkish series should I watch first?
For a light evening, Kiralık Aşk or No: 309; for drama, Anne or Kadın; for crime, Family Secrets or Ezel.
Which Turkish series are enemies-to-lovers stories?
On our list: Kiralık Aşk, No: 309, Acil Aşk Aranıyor and Bay Yanlış. You will find more in our list of shows like Love Is in the Air.
Are all these series finished?
Yes, all 20 Turkish series on the list have aired in full; the most recent ended in 2024 (Family Secrets). Çalıkuşu was cancelled before its story was finished.
Which Turkish series are the shortest?
Aşkın Tarifi (13 episodes), Bay Yanlış (14 episodes) and Şahsiyet (12 episodes in its first season). For comparison, The Magnificent Century has 139.
Are there spoilers?
No. We only describe the setup and general facts about each show.
How we chose
We put this list together for anyone just discovering Turkish TV or looking for what to watch after a favourite: there are melodramas, light comedies, costume sagas and crime shows. Our picks are based on viewer reviews, critics’ scores and our own viewing experience. We deliberately left out most of the best-known love stories, which you will find in our separate list of Turkish love series.
Sources
- Muhteşem Yüzyıl (Wikipedia)
- Kiralık Aşk (Wikipedia)
- Fatmagül’ün Suçu ne? (Wikipedia)
- Şahsiyet (Wikipedia)
- Family Secrets (2021 TV series) (Wikipedia)
Facts about the other series were checked on Wikipedia on November 9, 2026.
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