Top Turkish Series
Turkish Drama
Turkish series have become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers across continents. These Turkish drama productions blend emotional storytelling with rich cultural elements, creating a unique genre that resonates with international audiences. Research shows that Turkish series like Muhtesem Yuzyil, Dirilis: Ertugrul, and Fatmagulun Sucu Ne? are especially popular in regions like the Middle East, Latin America, South Asia, and the Balkans. Their high production value, engaging scripts, and universal themes—such as love, betrayal, justice, and honor—make them appealing to a broad audience.
Among the top Turkish series, Muhtesem Yuzyil stands out for its historical drama, while Ask-i Memnu and Kara Sevda are known for romantic storytelling. Ezel, a gripping tale of revenge and redemption, enjoys a cult following, especially in South America and Eastern Europe. Some Turkish dramas have achieved more success abroad than domestically, such as Binbir Gece, which became a sensation in Chile, or Fatmagulun Sucu Ne?, praised for its social message in Argentina and France.
What sets Turkish drama apart is the episode format—often 120 to 150 minutes—allowing deep character development and complex narratives. Viewers in countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Spain, and the United States have embraced these series, often leading to local remakes or dubbed versions. Turkish series not only dominate streaming platforms but also influence tourism, with fans traveling to visit filming locations in Istanbul and beyond.
From palace intrigues in Muhtesem Yuzyil to the moral battles in Dirilis: Ertugrul, and the tragic romance of Ask-i Memnu, Turkish dramas have redefined global television storytelling, securing their place among the most-watched foreign content worldwide.
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Turkish Series
Top 10 Most Popular Turkish TV Series Outside Turkey
Based on IMDb rankings, global viewership metrics, and export data from sources like Expat Guide Turkey - Why Turkish Series Are So Popular and Wikipedia - Turkish television drama, the following are the top 10 Turkish TV series most watched outside Turkey:
| Rank | Series Name | IMDb Rating | Key Themes | Notable International Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhteşem Yüzyıl (Magnificent Century) | 8.1 | Historical, palace intrigue | Exported to over 70 countries, popular in Balkans, Middle East |
| 2 | Dirilis: Ertugrul (Resurrection Ertugrul) | 8.1 | Historical, Ottoman foundation | Massive in Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Latin America |
| 3 | Ezel | 8.6 | Betrayal, redemption, justice | Popular in Balkans, South America, sold to over 100 countries |
| 4 | Aşk-ı Memnu (Forbidden Love) | 8.1 | Romantic, forbidden love | Top ratings in Pakistan (90M final episode), Arab world |
| 5 | Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne? (What is Fatmagül’s Fault?) | 8.2 | Social, justice, trauma | 12M viewers/episode in Argentina, popular in Middle East |
| 6 | Kara Sevda (Endless Love) | 7.7 | Romantic, revenge | Most watched foreign soap in US (2M viewers/episode), Emmy 2017 |
| 7 | Binbir Gece (1001 Nights) | 7.5 | Romantic, independence | Most watched in Chile 2014, popular in Europe, South America |
| 8 | Sıla | 7.3 | Drama, family, return home | Sold to 104 countries, high ratings in Chile, Peru |
| 9 | Medcezir | 7.2 | Romantic, youth, family | Popular in Bulgaria, Iran, Pakistan, Chile, Arab countries |
| 10 | Paramparça (Broken Pieces) | 6.8 | Family, drama, sisters' struggles | Popular in Romania, Greece, Argentina, Brazil |
These series are selected based on their international export numbers, viewership metrics, and adaptations in other countries, such as Ezel being remade in Armenia, Romania, and Ukraine.
Analysis of Turkish TV Series
Turkish television dramas, commonly known as "dizi," have emerged as a global cultural force, captivating audiences worldwide with their unique blend of emotional storytelling, cultural richness, and high production values. This survey note provides a comprehensive analysis of the most popular Turkish TV series globally, their viewership patterns by country, series that are more loved outside Turkey than domestically, and evaluations of the best series in terms of social message, historical information, and romance. The analysis is based on recent data and expert insights, reflecting the state of the industry as of May 2025.
Global Popularity and Export Trends
Turkish TV series have seen a remarkable rise in international popularity, with Turkey becoming the third-largest TV series exporter globally in 2024, according to Türkiye Today - Most-watched Turkish TV series worldwide. Global demand surged by 184% between 2020 and 2023, far outpacing the growth of Korean dramas, driven by their long episode lengths (typically 120-150 minutes) and focus on family, love, and societal issues. These series are exported to over 100 countries, with significant markets in the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
The appeal lies in their ability to bridge cultural divides, offering universal themes like betrayal, redemption, and romance while showcasing Turkey's rich traditions and history. For instance, historical dramas like Muhteşem Yüzyıl and Dirilis: Ertugrul resonate with audiences in Muslim-majority countries, while romantic dramas like Aşk-ı Memnu and Kara Sevda attract viewers in Latin America and the Balkans.
Romantic Turkish Series
Turkish Series Most Watched by Country
The global reach of Turkish TV series varies by region, with specific series dominating in certain countries due to cultural, linguistic, and historical ties.
Spain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt: In 2023, series like Ezel and Muhteşem Yüzyıl topped viewership charts, reflecting their broad appeal in both European and Middle Eastern markets
Latin America: Binbir Gece was the most watched series in Chile in 2014, saving the channel Mega from bankruptcy, while Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne? had 12 million viewers per episode in Argentina, highlighting its massive popularity
Pakistan: Aşk-ı Memnu achieved 90 million viewers for its final episode, and Dirilis: Ertugrul is a cultural phenomenon, often dubbed and widely discussed on social media
Balkans: Muhteşem Yüzyıl was the most watched series in Bosnia and fourth in Serbia in January 2013, reflecting historical and cultural ties
US: Kara Sevda broke records as the most watched foreign soap opera, with 2 million viewers per episode and 4 million for the finale, aired via Univision for the Hispanic community
Russia, Ukraine: Kara Sevda and Ezel were highly popular, with adaptations and high viewership numbers, reflecting the appeal of Turkish dramas in Eastern Europe.
India: Adını Feriha Koydum was the first Turkish drama to succeed, with high ratings on Zindagi in September 2015, and Aşk-ı Memnu was remade as "Paabandh Ishq"
This regional variation underscores the adaptability of Turkish series, often dubbed or subtitled to fit local languages and cultures.
Why Turkish Series Are So Popular
Research suggests several Turkish TV series are more popular abroad than in Turkey, often due to their universal themes and lack of domestic competition.
Muhteşem Yüzyıl (Magnificent Century): Exported to over 70 countries, it was more popular in the Balkans, Middle East, and Latin America, with viewership often exceeding domestic ratings due to its historical appeal.
Binbir Gece (1001 Nights): Most watched in South America, particularly Chile, where it saved a TV channel from bankruptcy, indicating higher international appreciation.
Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne? (What is Fatmagül’s Fault?): Had 12 million viewers per episode in Argentina, far surpassing its domestic viewership, reflecting its global resonance on social issues.
Kara Sevda (Endless Love): Broke records in the US with 2 million viewers per episode, a feat not matched domestically, and won the 2017 Emmy for Best Telenovela.
Dirilis: Ertugrul (Resurrection Ertugrul): While popular in Turkey, it has a massive following in Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where it is often dubbed and culturally embraced, with viewership numbers far exceeding domestic figures.
Ezel: Highly popular in the Balkans and South America, with adaptations in Armenia, Romania, and Ukraine, suggesting stronger international appeal.
Aşk-ı Memnu (Forbidden Love): Topped ratings in Pakistan with 90 million viewers for the final episode and was widely loved in Arab countries and Western Europe, often more than in Turkey.
This global popularity is partly due to the series' ability to connect with audiences through shared cultural values and the lack of competing local content in some regions.