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Episode Notes This week, we welcome a very special guest to Dizi Friends: Pınar, an artist, yoga teacher, and Eda’s yoga teacher of eight years, who recently stepped into the world of acting with a small role in Kanal D’s Daha 17. Living in Bodrum, Pınar decided to take a chance on something completely new and started applying for auditions. That leap eventually led to her playing a veterinarian in the series. We talk about what the experience was really like, what surprised her about being on a dizi set, and whether seeing the industry from the inside changed the way she looks at Turkish series. The conversation also opens up into something bigger: creativity, yoga, embracing change, and the importance of allowing yourself to be a beginner again. And of course, we still talk dizis — including Pınar’s love for Taşacak Bu Deniz and Muhtemel Aşk. Come for the behind-the-scenes stories. You might leave wanting to try something you’ve been putting off for years. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Season 6 is here. 🎧 For our premiere, we’re looking ahead to the new Turkish series arriving in September; who’s starring, what the stories are, and which projects are already reminding us of something we’ve seen before. We discuss: Aşk ve Taht Güneşin Doğduğu Yer Mercan Köşk Hamal Anne Yarısı Sevdam Karadeniz (the movie Eda mentions while talking about this series: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1330591/) Adana Ayazı Ömür Usta Tuzlu Kahve Başkalarının Hayatı Haysiyet İyilik Öğretmeni Karakuyu Along the way, a bigger pattern starts to emerge. With production costs high and the financial risks of launching a new dizi even higher, many producers seem increasingly reluctant to take creative chances. Familiar stories, recognizable formulas and concepts that resemble previous hits can feel like the safer bet. And then there’s the other strategy: cast a major star and hope the audience follows. We talk about why a famous lead can absolutely help a project get attention but also why star power alone cannot compensate for a weak premise, poor character development or writing that simply isn’t there. Because ultimately, no matter how impressive the cast list looks, the story still has to work. Which September projects have our attention? Which ones already feel a little too familiar? And will the new season give us something genuinely surprising? Welcome to Season 6 of Dizi Friends. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Pack your bags because this week, Dizi Friends is going back to 2015. 🎧 It was a very different moment for Turkish television, and in this episode we look back not only at the dizis we were watching, but at the world they were airing in. We start with a little time travel. What did 2015 feel like in Turkey, the US and around the world? What were we watching, talking about and living through and why does that era already feel so distinct from where we are today? Then, of course, we get to the dizis. We revisit: Poyraz Karayel Aşk Yeniden Kiralık Aşk Kara Sevda Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem From romantic comedies and angsty melodramas to crime stories and major historical productions, 2015 gave us a lineup that feels surprisingly varied in hindsight. But this isn’t only a nostalgia episode. We also talk about how the business of making dizis has changed: production models, budgets, advertising, episode structures and the pressures shaping Turkish television today. Were dizis actually better in 2015, or do we just remember them that way? And what has the industry gained and lost over the last decade? Expect nostalgia, industry talk, lots of comparisons and, naturally, plenty of opinions. Light spoilers for the series discussed. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes After talking about it for what feels like forever, we finally recorded our Turkish streaming recommendations episode. 🎧 This week, we step away from traditional network dizis and look at Turkish series and films available on digital platforms — from dramas and romantic comedies to darker stories, star-driven projects and easy weekend watches. On the series side, we talk about: Platonic (Platonik: Mavi Dolunay Oteli) Another Self (Zeytin Ağacı) (Eda's article: https://www.dizidoktoru.com/zeytin-agaci-will-take-you-back-to-your-roots-1) Kübra Old Money (Enfes Bir Akşam) To Love, to Lose (Ayrılık da Sevdaya Dahil) Like There’s No Tomorrow (Yarın Yokmuş Gibi) And for films, we cover: Sonunda Sen (Love at Last) Private Lesson (Özel Ders) Yaz Evi (Summer House) Last Call for Istanbul Love Tactics (Aşk Taktikleri) Make Me Believe (Sen İnandır) Godspeed (Yolun Açık Olsun) We share what we liked, what we’d recommend, who each title might appeal to, and which ones are better approached with slightly adjusted expectations. If you’ve been looking for Turkish content beyond weekly television — or just need something new for your watchlist — this episode is for you. Light spoilers for some of the titles discussed. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes After a two-month break, Dizi Friends is back — just in time for the return of summer rom-coms on Turkish television. ☀️🎧 In this episode, Eda and Maha take a closer look at two of the season’s new romantic comedies: Doğanın Kanunu and Muhtemel Aşk. We share our first impressions, discuss what works, what does not, and whether either series can bring back the charm, chemistry, and escapism we associate with a classic summer dizi. We also briefly check in on Daha 17 and Altı Üstü İstanbul because that is pretty much everything currently on offer. Are summer rom-coms finally making a comeback? Do these new series have enough personality to keep us watching? And what makes a lighthearted dizi feel genuinely fun rather than simply familiar? Expect first impressions, honest criticism, friendly banter, feminist propaganda, and plenty of opinions after two months away from the microphones. Light spoilers for the series discussed. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes This week on Dizi Friends, Eda and Maha do something a little different: We create our own dizi. From casting and tropes to storyline, timelines, and even marketing, we imagine what our perfect Turkish series would look like. Set between Ankara and Istanbul, Second Chances follows a group of university friends whose lives reconnect years later; bringing old dynamics, new relationships, and unfinished stories back to the surface. Expect: familiar tropes with a twist, multiple love stories (yes, we went there), past vs present timelines and a surprisingly detailed take on how a show like this should actually be marketed. This episode is part storytelling, part industry commentary and a little bit of manifesting. Tune in and tell us: would you watch Second Chances? Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes This week on Dizi Friends, Maha and Eda explore a question we don’t often stop to ask: What actually makes a great leading man? Using Ozan Akbaba as a starting point, we unpack the qualities that make certain actors feel… different on screen. From charisma and presence to emotional control and casting choices, we look at what makes a performance truly compelling—and why some leading men stay with us long after the episode ends. We also touch on how leading men in Turkish TV have evolved over time, and why audience expectations might be shifting. Is it about power? Vulnerability? Or something harder to define? *The movie we mention as a trivia at the ending is "Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım" starring Türkan Şoray and Kadir İnanır. Thank you for listening! See you in the next episode and let us know if you would like to listen to an episode about iconic Turkish movies. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes This week on Dizi Friends, Maha and Eda explore a noticeable shift in Turkish television: Why do so many new series revolve around crime, violence, and mafia-style narratives? We discuss several recent projects, including: Aynı Yağmur Altında – A show that sparked debate due to a controversial early scene and its reliance on shock-driven storytelling. Sevdiğim Sensin – A series with emotional potential about a young woman rebuilding her life in Istanbul, yet framed within darker narrative elements. A.B.İ. – An age-gap romance entering an already crowded dramatic landscape. Yeraltı – Another love story built around a mafia-centered world. Rüya Gibi – A promising show featuring a refreshingly different protagonist (a hairdresser), which concluded at episode 13 as darker themes took over. We also briefly mention Eşref Rüya ** and discuss broader concerns about how excessive violence might influence younger viewers. This episode is not about criticizing individual creators. It’s about recognizing a pattern. We ask: Why has “crime” in Turkish TV become almost synonymous with “mafia”? Is shock value replacing layered storytelling? Are audiences growing tired of violence-heavy narratives? And what does this trend say about the current state of the industry? Crime stories can be powerful. But does every story need a mafia backdrop? Join the conversation and tell us: Are you experiencing mafia fatigue too? Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Two friends, many dizis, and an accidental Christmas special. 🎄✨ This week Eda and Maha start with what they’ve been watching, then wander happily into colors, words, creativity, and cozy holiday traditions. What we watched this week Eda: Halef Uzak Şehir Go Türkiye series: An Istanbul Story Kıskanmak Maha: Uzak Şehir Go Türkiye series: An Istanbul Story Veliaht Güller ve Günahlar We talk about what’s working (and not working) in these shows, how our expectations are changing as viewers, and why some dizis keep pulling us back even when they drive us crazy. From there, we go full “seasonal special” with some current cultural obsessions: Pantone picking Cloud Dancer (white) as Color of the Year Dictionary.com choosing “6–7” as Word of the Yea Maha’s experience at a“Bedazzling” book event and how using our hands (crafts, making things, handwriting) can quietly feed our creativity Eda's thoughts on Christmas as a non-Christmas person – not celebrating it religiously as Muslims, but still loving the lights, decorations, and the shared joy of the season Maha's thoughts on Christmas as someone who celebrates it and what makes it so special And of course, we had to end with comfort Christmas movies: Eda’s picks: -The Holiday -The Holdovers -The Chronicles of Narnia -The Muppet Christmas Carol -How the Grinch Stole Christmas Maha’s picks: -While You Were Sleeping -Home Alone -Miracle on 34th Street -Mickey’s Christmas Carol -The Chronicles of Narnia Cozy chats, light dizi spoilers, and lots of inspiration for what to watch next. 🎧 Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes We’re back for Season 5! In this episode, Eda and Maha catch up on the chaos of returning Turkish dizis and the wave of shiny new projects. We talk about why Uzak Şehir is quietly setting the benchmark for what a good dizi can be, why Eşref Rüya and Bahar are breaking our hearts for all the wrong reasons, and how Kızılcık Şerbeti has managed to lose both its premise and most of its cast. Then we dive into the new kids on the block: Güller ve Günahlar (we like it… but the ethics are messy), Veliaht (with Maha’s takes), Halef (which Eda absolutely despises), Sahtekarlar (we’re weirdly curious), Kıskanmak (full of potential with some sharp criticism), Aşk ve Gözyaşı (why we think it’s on its way out), plus quick thoughts on Çarpıntı, Ben Leman, Sakıncalı, and Taşacak Bu Deniz. If you love Turkish dizis, character drama, and a bit of ranting with love, this one’s for you. As always thank you for listening and make sure you follow us on social media to keep up with our new episodes. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes In this special Spotlight Chat, we welcome our first male guest — a therapist and lifelong dizi fan — to talk about the psychology of Turkish TV. We explore why dizis are so addictive, how emotional storytelling creates connection across cultures, and why familiar characters like the “wounded protector” or “resilient caregiver” strike such a chord. From Poyraz Karayel to Kiralık Aşk, from Istanbul memories to cross-cultural insights, this conversation goes beyond fandom into healing, nostalgia, and everything in between. As always we love to hear from you, please follow us on social media and let us know what we should talk about next! Find us as "Dizi Friends" on X, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Bluesky. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes This week, Maha and Eda dive into a pressing question: "Have Turkish TV series lost their magic, or is it an industry problem?" Following the cancellation of Çift Kişilik Oda, the girls felt compelled to unpack why romantic comedies—a genre once loved both in Turkey and abroad—are now struggling to survive. Once guaranteed hits, romcoms have faced a sharp decline in ratings and nearly all new titles since 2022 have been canceled early. Could the rise of streaming platforms be part of the issue? Are TV channels falling behind? Or is the genre simply out of touch with what audiences want? 🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful (and passionate!) conversation on the fate of Turkish romcoms, the changing dynamics of the dizi industry, and what it all means for creators and viewers alike. 💬 Let us know your take on social media—and don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow dizi lovers. That’s how we grow our community of Dizi Friends! 📲 Find all our links & socials here: https://linktr.ee/dizifriendspodcast Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes In this premiere episode of our new Career Deep Dive series, we explore the evolution of Çağatay Ulusoy’s journey — from his breakout role as Emir in Adını Feriha Koydum to becoming a leading figure in Turkey’s streaming revolution with projects like The Protector, Yeşilçam, Kübra, and The Tailor. We unpack the turning points, image shifts, acting style, and the impact of his latest drama Eşref Rüya. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious about one of Turkey’s most intriguing actors, this episode dives deep into what makes Çağatay’s career so unique. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes This week's episode is about Eşref Rüya. Eda and Maha explore the mafia romance genre, take a look at the main characters and do some analysis on each. They also make some predictions about the second season. Let us know what are your thoughts about Eşref Rüya in general. Did you enjoy the season finale? What are your expectations? Dizi Friends is on X and Instagram as well as Tiktok and Bluesky. Reach out to us, we're always excited to hear from you :) Here's a link to Eda's essay about Eşref Rüya: https://edasavaseri.medium.com/eşref-rüya-and-the-three-musketeers-of-istanbul-dc19937690ce Time Stamps: 00:00:00 - 00:12:00 Our thoughts on the mafia romance genre 00:12:00 - 00:26:38 Analyzing Eşref Tek 00:26:38 - 00:34:53 Analyzing Nisan/Rüya 00:34:53 - 00:48:17 Analyzing Çiğdem 00:48:17 - 00:56:40 Analyzing Kadir 00:56:40 - 01:00:19 Gürdal, Faruk and Müslüm 01:00:19 - 01:19:05 Season 2 Predictions 01:19:05 - 01:25:25 Closing words As always, thanks for listening! See you on our next episode! Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

Episode Notes This week Eda and Maha have two special guests, Rachel and Janina. Rachel is from New Zealand and Janina is from Estonia. They are Eda's first dizi friends and therefore have a special place in Eda'a heart. Highlights from the episode: 03:18 - 05:39 Rachel introduces herself. 05:39 - 07:08 Janina introduces herself. 07:08 - 11:54 Janina's first dizi is "No 309". "Benim Tatlı Yalanım" also gets a mention. 11:54 - 13:17 Rachel's first dizi is "Sen Çal Kapımı". 13:17 - 18:20 How they would describe the dizi community during the pandemic 18:20 - 22:35 How different is the dizi community now 22:35 - 22:50 Mention of "Ateşböceği" - a cute romcom we recommended before 22:50 - 26:30 Mention of k-dramas and dizi edits 26:30 - 28:25 The effect of good translation 28:25 - 29:00 The new romcom: "Çift Kişilik Oda" 29:00 - 34:29 How the girls feel about mafia dizis and "Eşref Rüya" 34:29 - 36:17 Kuzgun is mentioned 36:17 - 38:21 Over the top villains that become boring ("Yargı" and "Uzak Şehir" mentioned) 38:21 - 40:03 "Maraşlı" is mentioned. 40:03 - 41:26 Elimi Bırakma mentioned 41:26 - 45:00 Their favorite actors (Son Yaz, Burcu Biricik, Gözde Cığacı, Aslı İnandık) 45:00 - 48:37 Janina recommends Oregon and 10 Days of a Curious Man on Netflix 48:37 - 51:12 What they would tell someone who is just starting watching dizis 51:12 - 53:49 Eda gives her thanks 53:49 - 56:13 Final thoughts As always thank you for listening and please follow us on social media to get the latest news on our podcast! Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co