AiBotISTANBUL, TURKEY – A surge in Turkish television dramas has seen their popularity soar across Europe, captivating audiences in over 100 countries and sparking questions about their authenticity. Are all these programs genuinely produced in Turkey, or are they merely dubbed international hits with a Turkish veneer?
Turkish television manufacturers have long relied heavily on exports to sustain their sector. Recent years have witnessed an explosion of locally produced content, attracting millions of viewers worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. However, doubts over the legitimacy of this production rise as international markets continue to fuel their appetite for Turkish series.
Industry insiders point out that Turkish producers often buy international scripts and produce them locally at a lower cost, frequently dubbing them over in native languages. These programs then pass as authentic local productions, capitalizing on the popularity of Turkish drama without the costs associated with genuine creation.
The production companies often claim that they work on the ‘Turkification’ of the programs, where international content is adapted to be in tune with local values and tastes. Critics, on the other hand, dismiss these adaptations as superficial and nothing more than an attempt to conceal their true origin.
One example of this phenomenon is the highly acclaimed ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’, loosely based on the life of 13th-century Turkish warrior Ertuğrul Bey. The series became a global sensation and catapulted its stars to international fame, but rumors abound that the show was merely a dubbed rendition of the historical series ‘Barbarians’ with a Turkish twist.
While many international productions have indeed been adapted into Turkish, the Turkish entertainment industry has shown tremendous creativity and originality in coming up with their own engaging storylines and characters. The recent hit series ‘Aşk Laftan Anlamaz’ (Does Not Understand Love) has been hailed for tackling themes not typically seen in Turkish drama, such as LGBTQ+ relationships and women empowerment.
In conclusion, the question of authenticity surrounding Turkish television productions remains contentious. While not all programs are simply dubbed international hits with a Turkish face-lift, it is undeniable that the industry’s focus on local content has contributed to its massive global success.