Charting the Waves of Love: Inside atv's Gripping New Turkish Drama

Picture this: you wake up one day to discover that pretty much everything you thought you knew about your life is a lie. That's the story of Azil’s (played by Halit Özgür Sarı) life in O3 Medya’s much-buzzed-about Turkish drama series, Gözleri KaraDeniz (Waves of Love).

A principled sea captain, Azil returns from a long voyage and, with one misstep, is pulled into a tangle of power, betrayal, and buried bloodlines. By unknowingly crossing his half-brother Mehmet’s criminal operations, Azil collides with Osman—the powerful father who once abandoned him—and Güneş, the woman he loves, now bound to the very family he never knew was his.

We had the absolute pleasure of visiting the set of atv’s “Gözleri KaraDeniz,” and watching the cast and crew bring the gripping story to life against the sweeping coastal backdrop was nothing short of unforgettable. 

Read on to see what the series' stars, Halit Özgür Sarı and Özge Yağız, had to say about what lies ahead for the series that you don't want to miss this season.

You received many offers this season, but landed on Gözleri KaraDeniz (Waves of Love). What was it about this series that made it right for you?

Halit Özgür Sarı: I don’t think there’s a single reason I can point to. For me, Gozleri Karadeniz marked the closing of one chapter and the start of a new one. The projects I was part of before—Kardeslerim, Yabani—were all jobs I loved and cherished. Now, I’m equally thrilled to meet the audience with this new series. One of the main reasons I said yes was, of course, the script. From the moment I started reading, I felt myself inside the story. It felt like the right step for the fresh page I wanted to turn. On top of that, the channel, the producer, the team, and my co-stars all played a part in making this the right choice.

Özge Yağız: I am not sure “the right fit” is exactly the phrase I would use, but what truly drew me in was the way the story deepens step by step. Every character carries their own depth as well, and that really fascinated me. We are telling a story that will keep branching out and expanding, and of course that requires time. The idea of weaving it slowly, almost stitch by stitch, and savoring it that way is what pulled me toward this project.

How would you introduce your character to someone meeting him for the first time?

Halit Özgür Sarı: Azil is calm, determined, and deeply in love.

Özge Yağız: She is loyal, warm-hearted, and very disciplined.

If you were to describe the series in three words, what would they be?

Halit Özgür Sarı: Güneş (Sun), storm, passion.

Özge Yağız: Everyone comes home.

What do you think will surprise viewers the most about this series?

Halit Özgür Sarı: The story itself. We have already aired the first episode, and now I am eagerly waiting to share the second with the audience. This time, they will get to see new dynamics unfold. And I believe the evolving relationship between Azil and Gunes will catch many people by surprise.

Özge Yağız: I believe there will be plenty of moments where viewers think, “No way, that can’t happen”—and then it does, in the very next episode. I had that same reaction while reading the scripts, and I know the audience will experience it too.

The dynamic between Azil and Gunes is one of the things fans are most excited about. Without giving away too much, can you tease about what’s to come from their relationship?

Halit Özgür Sarı: Honestly, I would love to say a lot, but it would all be spoilers. I want to keep that excitement alive… But I can say this: Azil and Gunes will have their sweet little quarrels.

Özge Yağız: Without spoiling too much—since only the first episode has aired so far—I can say it begins as a very sweet love story. But over time, it transforms into something much more fiery. It’s a relationship where they clash a lot, yet at the same time feel a powerful pull toward each other.