Sen Cal Kapimi to The Gift: Turkish web series to binge-watch right now!

If you haven’t already mastered the art of reading subtitles, now would be a good time to start. We’re skipping the line for Korean dramas for these pretty impressive Turkish shows that are slowly taking over top trends on streaming sites. From crime thrillers to coming-of-age dramas, cutesy rom-coms to high-octane mythological and historic epics, rest assured, there is something for everyone here. Whether you’re already on board this hype or are just testing the waters, here are some Turkish dramas you would want to put on your to-watch list.

What is it about men and superpowers that keep us coming back for more? Delve into a world of magic, mystery and mythology with ‘The Protector’. The show follows an ordinary guy who finds his true lineage tied to a secret order, tasked to protect Istanbul from threats lurking beyond the mortal realm. Going by the rave reviews, there seems to be just no stopping this action-packed series once you’ve hit ‘play’.

For the love of all the office-romances you wished you had, go thrid-wheeling on the romantic-comedy 'Sen Çal Kapimi'. The show has circumstance bringing a famous architect Serkan Bolat and an aspiring landscape architect student, Eda Yildiz together and a contract engagement keeping them in close quarters for a whole two months. All the adorably awkward times make way some of the most romantic moments, coupled with heartbreaks and too-hot-to-handle make up sessions, especially when a certain four-letter word comes to play. The series streams on YouTube.

Romantic comedies are the flavour of the season, and if that’s something that floats your boat, then ‘Day Dreamer’ is the show for you. The light-hearted rom-com follows two sisters who try to skip the marriage pool by finding a job and earning big bucks. With a new job, however, comes drama, politics, and a hot and heavy romance. String along for this work-place drama with a gorgeous cast that is a treat for the eyes. What’s better? You won’t need the subtitles because this show is available on MX Player in Hindi.

Among the many trending shows adapted from novels, is the Turkish series ‘The Gift’. Adapted from Şengül Boybaş's book, this one is reportedly inspired by true events. The show tip-toes between the lines of myth and reality as it follows an artist who finds out that the symbols she had been painting since her childhood had a connection to newly discovered carvings at an archaeological site at Göbekli Tepe. Thus begins this perilous journey to uncover secrets that link the past to the present.

Get a feel of true-blue Turkish dramas with the hit show ‘Kara Para Ask’. Boasting of a hugely popular star-cast including Ali Yörenc, Engin Akyurek and Tuba Büyüküstün, this series takes off after an untoward incident brings together a police officer with the daughter of a business tycoon. The unlikely pair must find a way to work together to solve a murder. The crime thriller is packed with action, romance, chemistry and surprising turns which made this one of the biggest shows to come out of the country.

Ever wonder what it would be like to have your fate intertwined with three other people, never to be torn apart? If that painted a rosy picture, you might want to buckle in for ‘Crash’ that follows the story of four people and a fateful car accident that binds them together in one thrilling adventure. Expect the unexpected in this Turkish thriller that is available on MX Player, dubbed in Hindi and ready for your viewing pleasure.

Coming from a land with so much history, this one has a dash of fiction thrown in to make things even more interesting. Set in the 13th century, the historical drama ‘Resurrection: Ertugrul’ follows the life of a warrior who laid the foundation of the Ottoman Empire. If you are running low on gory content, here are five long seasons featuring barbaric battles and swordfights to keep you glued. Watch history, or at least some of it, come alive with this drama that has won appreciation for its production value, bold content, and action sequences.

We’re rounding off this list with the docu-drama ‘Rise of Empires: Ottoman’. Get a history lesson unlike any other (in English) with this series that follows the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the fall of Constantinople. Staying true to the events of the past, the series is interspersed with historians giving their commentaries, making for one exciting, entertaining and educational watch. The series even has narration by Charles Dance, famous for his role as Tywin Lannister in ‘Game of Thrones’ series.