The Most Popular Turkish Soap Opera, Ranked

Choose the opera you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:52
In a vibrant cafe nestled in the heart of Istanbul, a lively debate ensues among friends over which soap opera captures the essence of Turkish drama the best. With so many shows depicting intricate relationships and dramatic cliffhangers, everyone has their fervent favorite. This common scenario underscores the relevance of having a dynamic, community-driven ranking system to see which soap opera truly resonates with audiences. By casting a vote on your preferred series, you contribute to a real-time leaderboard reflecting current popular opinion. This continual flux of preferences provides a fresh perspective with each visit, keeping fans engaged and informed. Whether you're a devoted follower eager to see your favorite show rise in the ranks or a newcomer curious to see what the fuss is about, your participation shapes this ongoing narrative.

What Is the Most Popular Turkish Soap Opera?

  1. 1
    84
    votes
    This historical drama set in the Ottoman Empire became a massive hit in Turkey and internationally, with its lavish production values and compelling storyline.
    Magnificent Century (Muhteşem Yüzyıl) is a popular Turkish historical drama television series that aired from 2011 to 2014. The show is set in the 16th century Ottoman Empire and tells the story of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his reign. It follows the political intrigue, love affairs, and power struggles within the palace walls, showcasing the opulence and grandeur of the era.
    • Genre: Historical drama
    • Original release: 2011-2014
    • Setting: 16th century Ottoman Empire
    • Main characters: Suleiman the Magnificent, Hürrem Sultan, Ibrahim Pasha
    • Number of seasons: 4
  2. 2
    25
    votes
    This drama revolves around a young woman who is wrongfully accused of a crime and seeks justice. It was popular for its strong acting and social commentary on gender violence.
    Fatmagül'ün Suçu Ne? (What is Fatmagül's Fault?) is a Turkish television series that aired from 2010 to 2012. It is based on a novel written by Vedat Türkali and revolves around the life of Fatmagül, a young woman who becomes a victim of a gang rape in a small seaside town. The series follows her journey as she seeks justice, love, and healing in the face of immense adversity.
    • Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance
    • Original Language: Turkish
    • Number of Seasons: 2
    • Number of Episodes: 80
    • Broadcast Network: Kanal D
    Fatmagül'ün Suçu Ne? in other rankings
  3. 3
    26
    votes
    Kara Sevda
    Ay Yapım · Public domain

    Kara Sevda

    Kemal Uzun
    This romantic drama tells the story of two star-crossed lovers from different social classes. It was praised for its emotional depth and performances.
    Kara Sevda is a popular Turkish television series that aired from 2015 to 2017. It is a romantic drama that revolves around the challenging love story between Kemal and Nihan. The series portrays their passionate love, filled with obstacles and sacrifices.
    • Genre: Romantic Drama
    • Original Release: 2015-2017
    • Country of Origin: Turkey
    • Language: Turkish
    • Number of Seasons: 2
    Kara Sevda in other rankings
  4. 4
    19
    votes
    This drama follows the complicated love story between a poor girl and a wealthy boy, with themes of family drama and class differences.
    The Girl I Loved (Bir Cocuk Sevdim) is a popular Turkish soap opera that aired from 2011 to 2013. It revolves around the story of a teenage girl named Gonul, who falls in love with her older stepbrother, Yusuf. The series explores the challenges and conflicts they face in their forbidden love, as well as the complex dynamics within their family. The show takes viewers on an emotional journey filled with romance, drama, and suspense.
    • Genre: Drama/Romance
    • Original Network: Fox
    • Original Release: September 19, 2011 - June 24, 2013
    • Total Seasons: 2
    • Total Episodes: 69
  5. 5
    11
    votes
    This classic drama from 2008 is still popular for its portrayal of forbidden love and societal expectations. It has been remade several times in different countries.
    Forbidden Love (Aşk-ı Memnu) is a popular Turkish soap opera based on the novel of the same name by Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil. It tells the story of Bihter, a young woman who enters a forbidden love affair with her older husband's nephew. The series explores themes of love, passion, betrayal, and societal expectations.
    • Original release: 2008 - 2010
    • Genre: Drama, Romance
    • Number of episodes: 79
    • Based on: Aşk-ı Memnu novel by Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil
    • Lead actors: Beren Saat, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Selçuk Yöntem
  6. 6
    16
    votes
    This crime drama follows a man who seeks revenge against those who wronged him in the past. It was praised for its gripping storyline and suspenseful twists.
    Ezel is a Turkish drama TV series that aired from 2009 to 2010. It tells the story of Omer, a young man who seeks revenge on his friends who betrayed him years ago. The series follows Omer's transformation into Ezel, a mysterious and charismatic figure, as he meticulously plans his revenge.
    • Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller
    • Original Network: Show TV
    • Original Release: September 28, 2009 – June 21, 2010
    • Total Episodes: 71
    • Running Time: Up to 130 minutes (1 episode)
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    This drama is based on a classic Turkish novel and tells the story of a young woman who becomes a governess for a wealthy family. It was praised for its strong performances and period setting.
    Lovebird (Çalıkuşu) is a Turkish soap opera that aired from 2013 to 2014. It is a romantic drama series based on the classic novel of the same name written by Reşat Nuri Güntekin. The story is set in the early 20th century and revolves around the life of Feride, a young and intelligent woman who becomes a teacher in a small town. Through her experiences, the series explores themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations.
    • Original Release: September 2013 - May 2014
    • Based on: Çalıkuşu novel by Reşat Nuri Güntekin
    • Genre: Romantic drama
    • Setting: Early 20th century, small town
    • Main Characters: Feride, Kamran, Samiha, Azelya
  8. 8
    5
    votes

    Black Money Love (Kara Para Aşk)

    Meriç Acemi and Sema Ergenekon
    This thriller follows a woman who becomes involved in a dangerous world of crime and corruption. It was praised for its suspenseful plot and strong acting.
    Black Money Love (Kara Para Aşk) is a Turkish television series that aired from March 12, 2014, to July 15, 2015. It is a thrilling crime and romance drama created by Meriç Acemi and Sema Ergenekon. The story revolves around a successful and ambitious police officer, Ömer Demir, who becomes entangled in a dangerous and secretive world of gold smuggling, money laundering, and crime. As Ömer seeks to solve the mystery behind his fiancée's death, he becomes romantically involved with Elif Denizer, a jewelry designer with a hidden past. Here are ten important specs about Black Money Love:
    • International distribution: Sold to over 80 countries
    • Genre: Crime, Romance, Drama
    • Original network: ATV
    • Original release: March 12, 2014 – July 15, 2015
    • Total episodes: 54
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    This historical drama is set during World War I and follows a soldier who falls in love with a woman from the enemy side. It was praised for its attention to historical detail and emotional storytelling.
    Wounded Love (Vatanim Sensin) is a popular Turkish historical drama television series. It portrays the story of a soldier who fights in the Ottoman Army during World War I and is separated from his family and his love, only to reunite years later under vastly different circumstances. The series showcases the struggles, sacrifices, and emotions of the characters against a backdrop of war and political unrest.
    • Genre: Historical drama
    • Country of origin: Turkey
    • Language: Turkish
    • Original network: Kanal D
    • Original release: October 2016 - June 2018
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    This drama follows the complicated relationships between a successful businessman and two women in his life. It was praised for its strong acting and complex characters.
    Intersection (Kördüğüm) is a popular Turkish soap opera that aired from 2016 to 2018. It tells the story of a wealthy businessman and his complicated relationships with three women. Created by Yagmur Taylan and Durul Taylan, the series gained widespread popularity both in Turkey and internationally.
    • Original Title: Kördüğüm
    • Genre: Drama
    • Number of Seasons: 3
    • Number of Episodes: 85
    • Runtime: 120 minutes

Missing your favorite opera?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular opera

  1. Viewership ratings
    It is important to take into account the viewership ratings of the soap opera since this is an indication of how popular it is with the audience.
  2. Social media buzz
    Social media plays a big role in promoting and creating buzz for TV shows. This can be measured by the number of followers, likes, and comments on official social media accounts.
  3. Critical acclaim
    The critical reception of the soap opera is also important. Awards and nominations from reputable award-giving bodies, reviews from critics, and audience feedback could add to its popularity.
  4. Cultural impact
    A soap opera's ability to resonate with the culture and societal issues can make a show more popular with the audience.
  5. Production quality
    Well-produced shows with high-quality cinematography, costuming and sets usually have a better chance of becoming popular.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Turkish soap opera. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Opera is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2619 views
  • 200 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Opera once every 24 hours. The rank of each Opera is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular turkish soap opera

Turkish soap operas, or "dizi" as they are known in Turkey, have become increasingly popular in recent years, not only in Turkey but also in many other countries around the world. These dramas typically follow the lives of families or groups of people over a long period of time, and often deal with themes such as love, betrayal, and family relationships. One of the most popular Turkish soap operas of all time is "Muhteşem Yüzyıl," or "The Magnificent Century," which tells the story of the life and reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his harem. The show has been praised for its high production values, intricate storylines, and compelling performances by its cast. Other popular Turkish soap operas include "Kara Sevda," a romantic drama about two star-crossed lovers from different social classes, and "Diriliş: Ertuğrul," an epic historical drama set in the 13th century that follows the life of Ertuğrul Bey, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. With so many Turkish soap operas to choose from, it's no wonder that they have become such a beloved form of entertainment for audiences around the world.

Share this article