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10 Turkish Dramas That Could Conquer New Markets Through Remakes

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10 Turkish Dramas That Could Conquer New Markets Through Remakes

Audiences have evolved over the years, but one thing remains unchanged: their appetite for captivating storytelling. The Turkish “dizi” industry cracked the code earlier than most and has kept viewers glued to their screens ever since.

The ever-devoted viewers of Turkish dramas are drawn to the familiar — stories that seamlessly intertwine emotion and tradition. In recent years, Kanal D International has been instrumental in expanding the global reach of these rich Turkish stories, making remarkable strides with titles like Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne? (Fatmagül), Siyah Beyaz Aşk (Price of Passion), and Aşk-ı Memnu (Forbidden Love).

From lucious cinematography to emotionally charged storylines, Turkish dramas boast a pedigree that resonates across borders, finding loyal audiences in diverse regions.

As more countries continue to invest heavily in local content, breaking into new territories has never been more challenging. Yet the global appeal of Turkish dramas remains undeniable. These series offer a universal package, weaving together themes of family conflict, forbidden love, class divisions, buried secrets, the pursuit of justice, and more—themes that transcend cultures and languages.

The success of original Turkish productions has organically led to a growing trend: the remake boom. In recent years, we’ve seen a steady rise in remakes of Turkish dramas, many of which have gone on to become hits in their new homes — a testament to the timeless strength and adaptability of Turkish storytelling. While Latin America (LATAM) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions have led the charge in adapting beloved Turkish classics, the carefully crafted nature of these stories makes them ripe for adaptation virtually anywhere in the world.

In search of titles that offer a solid foundation to stories that resonate with the audience? Look no further than Kanal D International's remake-friendly catalog of Turkish dramas: 

Original Title: Fatmagül'ün Suçu Ne
Producer: Ay Yapım
Adapted In: India, Netflix worlwide

Synopsis: A young woman named Fatmagül from a humble coastal town sets out to seek revenge on a group of men who raped her. Forever changed by the incident, Fatmagül is abandoned by her fiancé Mustafa and forced to marry one of the rapists. The story revolves around Fatmagül fighting for justice while falling in love with innocent Kerim in time.

Original Title: Aşkı-ı Memnu
Producer: Ay Yapım
Adapted In: US, India

Synopsis: In a modern retelling of Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil’s classic, the affluent Ziyagil family is shaken when Adnan’s new wife, Bihter, ignites a forbidden affair with his nephew, Behlül. Set in their grand Bosphorus mansion, this secret relationship disrupts the family dynamics, leading to a cascade of deceit and betrayal that threatens to unravel their lives.

Original Title: Zalim İstanbul
Producer: Avşar Film
Adapted In: Mexico, Portugal

Synopsis: Agah and Seher, from the same hometown but different worlds, strike a deal that intertwines their families. The wealthy Karaçay family, hiding dark secrets, collides with the modest Yılmaz family, leading to a clash of values. As buried sins resurface, their lives are forever changed, navigating a perilous journey from Antakya to Istanbul.

Original Title: Güllerin Savaşı
Producer: Med Yapım
Adapted In: MENA

Synopsis: Gülru, a young girl from the slums, has always admired Gülfem, the lady of the mansion where her father works. Her life changes when Gülfem’s former lover, Ömer, a doctor recently returned from abroad, takes an interest in her. Gülru seizes the chance to replace Gülfem, leading to a fierce battle for power and love between them.

Original Title: Dilek Taşı
Producer: Pastel Film
Adapted In: Mexico

Synopsis: In 1980, Mustafa, a struggling factory worker, flees arrest after his pleas to save his wife’s life are rejected. Leaving his daughter Cemre in an orphanage, she is adopted by the sinister Rona family. Mustafa infiltrates their home, uncovering their dark plans with the help of Figen, the housekeeper, as they fight to reunite.

Original Title: Annem
Producer: Gold Film
Adapted In: Mexico

Synopsis: Musa and Zeynep once shared a happy marriage, but after discovering Musa’s infidelity, Zeynep divorced him without revealing her pregnancy. She raised their daughter, Gonca, alone, telling her Musa had died. Musa, now a successful politician, remains unaware of his daughter. Everything changes when sixteen-year-old Gonca discovers her father is alive, uncovering long-hidden secrets.

Original Title: Haziran Gecesi
Producer: Gold Film
Adapted In: Mexico

Synopsis: Havin, a struggling college student, attends a lavish party as a call girl and falls for Baran, a wealthy heir. After a car accident leaves her severely injured, Baran’s mother offers Havin money to disappear, forcing her to fake her death. Years later, Baran, now married to Duygu, encounters Sibel, a woman who looks like Havin, disrupting his life once again.

Original Title: Siyah Beyaz Aşk
Producer: D Productions
Adapted In: Ukraine

Synopsis: Ferhat, a hitman with a dark past, works for his criminal uncle, Namık. Aslı, an idealistic surgeon, crosses paths with him after operating on one of his victims. To save herself, she’s forced into marriage with Ferhat. Despite their opposing worlds, a passionate love unexpectedly blossoms, intertwining the life of a healer with that of a killer.

Producer: Ay Yapım

Synopsis: Kuzey and Güney, two brothers with starkly different personalities, are both in love with the same woman, Cemre. When an incident between them leads to Kuzey’s imprisonment, he takes the blame for a crime Güney committed. After four years, Kuzey returns, and their choices in an unforgiving world put their lives and their love for Cemre to the test.

Original Title: Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki
Producer: D Productions

Synopsis: In the 1960s, Ali, a sea captain, disrupts his family’s life when his affair with Dutch woman Caroline is revealed. Tensions escalate, culminating in Ali’s wife Cemile stabbing Caroline during an unexpected visit. Cemile’s subsequent arrest throws the family into turmoil. Ali must confront the devastating consequences of his actions and the unraveling of his family life.