Disclamer: Unfortunately because we record on Zoom and are in different locations we have some internet delay issues. We are working on a solution for this and we hope to have it resolved starting from our next episode. Thank you for your patience.
Hi friends, in this week's episode our lovely guests is Daphne MacLeod, an author who reached out to us online and that's how we became friends. She was so inspired by dizis that she even wrote a book called Queen Bee and the Turk. We discuss many things in this episode mentioned below as they may be difficult to catch through us chatting. :)
Goodreads link to Daphne's book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210485598-queen-bee-and-the-turk
Dapne's IG address : https://www.instagram.com/daphnemacleodauthor/
*The first dizis Daphne watched were: The Protector (Hakan Muhafız) and Çarpışma (Intersection) and she also counted As the Crow Flies (Kuş Uçuşu) as one of the series she would rewatch. Kiralık Aşk is also mentioned.
*Daphne's favorite actress is Naz Göktan. She feels like Can Yaman is overrated.
*Eda mentions Asmalı Konak - a dizi from the early 2000s, if you haven't seen it, here's a link to its IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365980/
*When we are discussing how women are portrayed in dizis, Daphne mentions Mezarlık (Graveyard) on Netflix. Go check it out, the second season is out!
Thank you for listening and we'll see you on our next episode!
Don't forget to follow us on our social media! https://linktr.ee/dizifriendspodcast
You can ask for Daphne's book Queen Bee and the Turk from your local bookstore. <3
Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co
Hey Friends,
Maha and Eda are back after a long break — and they're thrilled to return! In this episode, they catch up with each other and dive into the latest dizi buzz. Tune in as they discuss:
Kuma (Second Wife) – their first impressions of this new YouTube dizi “The Daughters of Buket” – unpacking the buzz around this famous manager and her unique approach to spotlighting the actors she represents Why Hudutsuz Sevda fans are upset Uzak Şehir – what’s working and why they think it’s holding strong Eşref Ruya – why the chemistry works and why Demet Özdemir deserves more recognition What’s going on with Can Yaman? – their take on his recent absence Plus, a deeper conversation on why dizis are so addictive — and the impact of their increasingly disconnected from reality storytelling on international audiences Also, the Dizi Friends Podcast will soon launch a Patreon, and we’d love to hear from you. What kind of bonus content or extras would you like to see there? Thanks for listening — we’re so happy to be back. See you in the next episode! Stay connected with us on social media — all our links are here: https://linktr.ee/dizifriendspodcast
Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co
In this week's episode Eda and Maha have great recommendations for those of you who kind of feel like they are in a dizi slump. Even if you aren't make sure you check out these dizis that are probably lesser known gems. Here's the the list of dizis they discuss with the actors who star in them.
Rom Coms
Drama/Action
At the end of the episode we ask each other what is a guilty pleasure dizi we have and here's our answers. Make sure you let us know which one is yours on social media. Maha: Hercai Eda: Thank You Next (Kimler Geldi Kimler Geçti)
Thank you for listening as always and make sure you follow us on social media. https://linktr.ee/dizifriendspodcast
See you on our next episode!
Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co
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
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
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
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
<h5></h5>Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co
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
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