Every long-running TV tradition has a canon: the series that defined its style, launched its stars or traveled far beyond its home country. For Turkish television, that canon mostly comes from the years between 2006 and 2017, when the format of long weekly episodes, big ensemble casts and emotionally intense stories became established and began selling around the world.
We call a series a "classic" here if it ended several years ago and either won major recognition, launched major careers, or became a reference point that newer series are still compared to. The eight below are arranged by the year they first aired. Episode counts refer to the original Turkish broadcast, and episodes typically run 90 to 150 minutes. Older series tend to be slower and more dialogue-driven than modern ones, so settle in for a longer build.
At a glance
| Series | First aired | Episodes | Why it is a classic |
| Sıla | 2006 | 79 | An early hit about love and tradition |
| Asi | 2007 | 71 | A defining rural love story |
| Forbidden Love | 2008 | 79 | Adapted from a classic novel |
| Ezel | 2009 | 71 | A Golden Butterfly winner, widely remade |
| Magnificent Century | 2011 | 139 | The biggest Turkish export of its era |
| Karadayı | 2012 | 115 | Five Golden Butterfly categories |
| Broken Pieces | 2014 | 97 | A defining family-and-secrets drama |
| Endless Love | 2015 | 74 | First Turkish International Emmy winner |
The mid-2000s: tradition and love
1. Sıla (2006 to 2008)
Set between Istanbul and Mardin, Sıla tells a love story complicated by tradition and family expectations. It aired on ATV for three seasons and 79 episodes. Cansu Dere and Mehmet Akif Alakurt starred.
Why watch: it shows how Turkish drama handled clashes between tradition and personal choice before the glossier modern look arrived.
2. Asi (2007 to 2009)
Set in a rural part of Antakya, Asi follows a young woman and a powerful local man whose families are on opposite sides. It had 71 episodes over two seasons. Murat Yıldırım played Demir, with Tuba Büyüküstün as Asi and Çetin Tekindor in the cast.
Why watch: it is a template for the love-across-a-feud story, and for the careers of its leads.
2008 to 2011: ambition and adaptation
3. Forbidden Love (2008 to 2010)
Based on an 1899 novel by Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil, it ran for 79 episodes on Kanal D. It follows a young woman who marries a wealthy older man and then falls for someone she should not. Beren Saat, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ and Nebahat Çehre starred, and it made stars of its young leads.
Why watch: it proved that a serious literary adaptation could be a mass-audience hit.
4. Ezel (2009 to 2011)
An adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo that ran for 71 episodes over two seasons. It won the Golden Butterfly for Best Turkish Series in 2010, and later versions were made in Mexico, Romania, Iran, India and the Arab world. Kenan İmirzalıoğlu, Cansu Dere and Yiğit Özşener starred.
Why watch: it is a revenge thriller with a strong plot, and it shows how far Turkish stories travel.
5. Magnificent Century (2011 to 2014)
The story of Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem ran for 139 episodes over four seasons and has reportedly aired in more than 50 countries. Halit Ergenç and Meryem Uzerli played the leads. It took many liberties with history and attracted public criticism in Turkey.
Why watch: it is the series that introduced many international audiences to Turkish drama.
2012 to 2015: the modern prestige era
6. Karadayı (2012 to 2015)
Set in the 1970s, Mahir Kara goes undercover as a trainee lawyer to free his father and falls for the judge. It had 115 episodes over three seasons on ATV, won five Golden Butterfly categories and was nominated for an International Emmy in 2014. Kenan İmirzalıoğlu and Bergüzar Korel starred.
Why watch: it combines a retro setting, a legal thriller and a classic romance.
7. Broken Pieces (2014 to 2017)
Two families are bound together by past events and secrets, over 97 episodes and three seasons on Star TV. Nurgül Yeşilçay, Erkan Petekkaya and Ebru Özkan led the cast.
Why watch: it is a good example of the twisty family drama that Turkish television does so well.
8. Endless Love (2015 to 2017)
Kemal and Nihan, from different social classes, are separated by circumstances and meet again years later. It ran for 74 episodes over two seasons on Star TV. In 2017, it became the first Turkish series to win the International Emmy for Best Telenovela. Burak Özçivit and Neslihan Atagül starred. Read our Endless Love review for a full look.
Why watch: it is the definitive modern Turkish romance for many viewers.
How to approach older series
- Expect a slower pace. Older series spend more time on conversation and atmosphere.
- Check the length. Several of these have more than 70 episodes. Our guide to seasons explains how to plan.
- Pick by genre. Choose Ezel for revenge, Magnificent Century for palace intrigue and Sıla or Asi for classic romance.
- Treat the productions as time capsules. The fashion and technology help date them, and that is part of the charm.
You can find more in our editors' Best Series Ever collection or sorted by top rated shows. If you are new, start with our best Turkish dramas for beginners and the best Turkish period dramas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Turkish drama of all time?
Magnificent Century and Endless Love are two of the best known internationally. Magnificent Century has reportedly aired in more than 50 countries, and Endless Love won an International Emmy.
Which Turkish drama won an International Emmy?
Endless Love won the International Emmy for Best Telenovela in 2017.
Are old Turkish dramas worth watching?
Yes, if you enjoy slower, character-driven stories. The classics are often more dialogue-heavy than recent series.
Which classic is best for a first-time viewer?
Ezel has a clear revenge plot that is easy to follow, and Endless Love is a good choice for romance fans.
Why do the same actors appear in many classics?
A small group of leads carried the industry's biggest hits, which is why names like Kenan İmirzalıoğlu and Cansu Dere appear in more than one series on this list.
