Top 7 Turkish Series
for Beginners: From
Ertugrul to Ethos
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| Engin Altan Duzyatan (r) stars as the Ottoman admiral Oruc Reis in Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean |
The country offers a wide variety of entertainment, including melodramatic soap operas, fantasy dramas, and historical epics.
Turkish dramas, from historical blockbusters like Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean to character-driven series like Ethos, have attracted a massive global following.
These popular shows, known as diziler, are also boosting Turkey’s economy, with expectations that the TV industry could generate $1 billion a year by 2023.
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The rapid rise of Turkish dramas was evident when the Urdu-dubbed version of Ertugrul launched on YouTube in May 2020 and gained 10 million subscribers within five months.
Popular series are officially translated into Arabic, Urdu, Kyrgyz, Spanish, and additional languages, making Turkish TV one of the country’s leading cultural exports.
In total, these dramas reach nearly 650 million viewers worldwide, including a massive audience in the Arab world.
The popularity of Turkish drams has also drawn criticism, with shows such as Ertugrul accused of promoting a glorified version of Ottoman-era history that contradicts narratives embraced in former Ottoman territories.
Following strained relations between Turkey and Arab countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE after the Arab uprisings, religious authorities in those states issued rulings prohibiting or discouraging viewers from watching Turkish series.
Despite the debate, public curiosity continues to grow. To guide new fans, Middle East Eye has put together a list of must-watch Turkish dramas for beginners.
1. Resurrection: Ertugrul (Diriliş: Ertuğrul)
This 150-episode hit series, first released in 2014, is one of Turkey’s most internationally successful dramas. Set in 13th-century Anatolia, it follows Ertugrul, the legendary forefather of the Ottoman dynasty.
Though historical details about him are limited, the show draws on Ottoman origin stories, portraying Ertugrul as the son of Suleiman Shah, leader of the migrating Kayi tribe.
Throughout their journey toward Anatolia, Ertugrul and his warriors face Mongols, internal betrayal, and Crusader remnants. The narrative also features his romance with Halime Hatun, which begins after he rescues her from Templar captors.
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| Ertugrul is set in 13th century Anatolia during the Crusades and Mongol invasions (AA/TRT) |
Following his father’s death, Ertugrul takes on leadership of the tribe and begins laying the foundations of the beylik that would later evolve into the Ottoman Empire under his son, Osman I.
Its sequel, Establishment: Osman (Kuruluş: Osman), continues the story by following Osman as he carries forward his father’s mission.
Despite the franchise’s widespread popularity, critics have accused the series of promoting “neo-Ottoman fantasies” and serving as an instrument of Turkish soft power in the wider Islamic world.
Such criticisms appear to have done little to deter fans: the Urdu-language YouTube channel alone amassed more than 5 billion views within 18 months of its launch.
2. Persona (Şahsiyet)
Known in Mexico as El Asesino del Olvido, Persona is the latest Turkish drama to be adapted into a telenovela, joining the ranks of Kara Para Aşk (Black Money Love), reimagined as Imperio de Mentiras, and Ezel, adapted as Yago for Mexican audiences.
The series centers on Agah Beyoğlu, a man in his 60s whose life begins to unravel after he forgets to feed his cat, resulting in its death. A visit to a psychiatrist confirms his fears: he is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Confronted with the prospect of losing himself to the illness, Beyoğlu also sees an opportunity—to settle old scores while he still can. With careful planning and steely resolve, the retired court clerk embarks on an intricate campaign of vengeance, taking justice into his own hands.
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| Haluk Bilginer (L) won a best actor International Emmy award for his leading role in Persona |
The 11-episode detective drama is directed by Onur Saylak, with Haluk Bilginer delivering a celebrated performance as Agah Beyoğlu—a role that earned him an International Emmy.
In his calculated campaign of vengeance, Beyoğlu leaves cryptic notes on his victims’ foreheads, each intended for Nevra (played by Cansu Dere), a determined female detective.
As Nevra unravels the clues and works to solve the murders, she is forced to confront hidden aspects of her own past—secrets she had long hoped to leave buried.
3. The Protector (Muhafız)
Netflix’s first original Turkish series ventures into the rarely explored realm of sci-fi fantasy, blending high-octane action with historical intrigue and romantic drama.
Based on the novel Karakalem ve Bir Delikanlının Tuhaf Hikayesi (A Strange Story of Charcoal and a Young Man), the show follows Hakan, a man in his 20s who works at his father’s antique shop in Istanbul’s bustling Grand Bazaar.
As Hakan’s ordinary life collides with a hidden world of ancient secrets and dark forces, he discovers a destiny that will force him to protect not just his city, but the fate of the world.
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| The Protector is Netflix's first originally produced Turkish series (Netflix) |
The ambitious Hakan dreams of a life beyond his father’s shop and soon becomes involved with the enigmatic property tycoon Faysal Erdem, who is overseeing a renovation project at the Hagia Sophia.
But their paths take a dramatic turn when Hakan discovers a magical shirt, thrusting him into a battle against dark forces determined to destroy Istanbul.
Now in its fourth season on Netflix, the series has captivated audiences with its mix of adventure, fantasy, and high-stakes drama.
4. Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (Barbaroslar: Akdeniz’in Kılıcı)
Another treat for fans of Turkish history—and of Ertuğrul in particular, with Engin Altan Düzyatan returning to a leading role—Barbaros plunges viewers into the high seas of the 16th century.
The historical fiction series follows Hayrettin Barbarossa, famously known as Redbeard (played by Ulas Tuna Astepe), an Ottoman corsair who rises to become an admiral of the Ottoman Navy under Sultan Suleiman I.
Born as Hizir Reis on the island of Lesbos to an Orthodox Christian Greek mother and an Ottoman soldier, Barbarossa and his three brothers all took to the sea, their lives shaped by adventure, loyalty, and the turbulent politics of the Mediterranean.
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| Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean is the latest Turkish historical show, this time following the adventures of a 16th century corsair (ES Films) |
The historical drama traces how Barbarossa and his brother Oruc Reis (played by Engin Altan Düzyatan) forged Ottoman supremacy in North Africa, defending their territories against French and Spanish forces.
Currently airing on TRT 1 in Turkey, the series is also being distributed globally by the network. Its first episode, available in Turkish on YouTube, had already garnered seven million views at the time of publication, signaling strong international interest.
5. Ethos (Bir Başkadır)
This Turkish mini-series masterfully weaves together the lives of multiple characters to explore the social, cultural, and racial divides in modern Turkey.
In the opening episode, viewers are introduced to Meryem, a young woman from a religious family who works part-time as a cleaner for Istanbul’s wealthy. Through her interactions and those of the other characters, the series delves into the tensions, prejudices, and unexpected connections that exist beneath the city’s glittering surface.
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| Ethos is an eight-part drama that highlights the socio-cultural divide in Turkey (Krek Films) |
The series contrasts the lives of rich and poor, secular and religious, through the deeply personal stories of its characters.
Meryem begins to experience fainting spells. When a doctor rules out a medical cause, she turns to a psychologist to understand her triggers—often linked to weddings.
Her therapist, Peri, is a “white-Turk,” a term used for educated, secular Turks from old-money backgrounds, and stands in stark contrast to Meryem. Yet Peri is grappling with her own unhappiness and biases, revealing that no one is untouched by inner struggle.
Following a six-degrees-of-separation approach, the eight-part series introduces a range of interconnected characters: a religious man (a hodja) and his daughter navigating her own sexuality; a wealthy playboy chasing elusive happiness; and a former soldier confronting his past.
Though their lives are vastly different, each character seems bound by the suffering imposed by the identities they inhabit—trapped in circumstances they cannot fully escape.
6. Fatma
Fatma follows Fatma Yılmaz (played by Burcu Biricik), a humble cleaner who is faced with the heartbreaking task of informing her mobster husband, Zafer, of their son’s death—only to discover he has recently been released from prison.
Unable to find Zafer, Fatma becomes entangled in the criminal underworld he once ruled. When she kills a gang member in the process, her quiet, unassuming demeanor leads police to overlook her as a suspect, while her husband’s former associates quickly recognize her potential as an unexpected asset.
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| Fatma tells the story of a cleaning lady who ends up getting a taste for killing (Netflix) |
Thus begins Fatma’s descent into the criminal underworld, as she transforms from a timid cleaner into a ruthless assassin, propelled by the injustices and losses she has endured throughout her life.
The gripping six-episode mini-series was released on Netflix in April, quickly earning acclaim for its intense storytelling and Burcu Biricik’s compelling performance.
7. Magnificent Century (Muhteşem Yüzyıl)
Another landmark in Turkish historical fiction, Magnificent Century dramatizes the life and romances of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the tenth and longest-reigning ruler of the Ottoman Empire.
When it premiered in 2011, the series became an instant sensation, captivating millions of viewers across 72 countries with its lavish sets, intricate court politics, and sweeping love stories.
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| The historical fiction angered Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Tims Productions) |
Set in the 16th century, the lavish costume drama delves into life in the sultan’s harem, with Halit Ergenç portraying Sultan Suleyman.
In the series, the sultan is depicted as a charming womanizer and occasional drinker, who eventually falls in love with—and marries—Hurrem Sultan, a Romanian captive who rises to become one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history.
The slow-burning epic spans 139 episodes and sparked controversy at home. Then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the show as factually inaccurate and “humiliating,” warning that those who undermine national values should face legal consequences.
In contrast, President Abdullah Gül welcomed the series, praising any effort to bring historical events and figures to life on screen.
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