Top 10 Most Watched and Longest-Running Turkish TV Series of All Time

Turkey's television industry has produced numerous long-running series that have captivated audiences both domestically and internationally. These series have broken viewership records and garnered high ratings over the years. Below is a detailed overview of some of the most-watched Turkish TV series from past to present, along with their IMDb ratings and YouTube links for selected episodes.

1. "Kurtlar Vadisi" (Valley of the Wolves)

• Original Run: 2003 – 2005
• Total Episodes: 97
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
• Synopsis: A gripping crime drama that delves into the deep state and mafia relations in Turkey, following the life of undercover agent Polat Alemdar.
• YouTube Link: Kurtlar Vadisi Episode 1

2. "Ezel"

• Original Run: 2009 – 2011
• Total Episodes: 71
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
• Synopsis: Betrayed by his closest friends and the woman he loved, Ömer returns years later as Ezel to exact his revenge.
• YouTube Link: Ezel Episode 1

3. "Aşk-ı Memnu" (Forbidden Love)

• Original Run: 2008 – 2010
• Total Episodes: 79
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
• Synopsis: An adaptation of Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil's classic novel, this series explores a forbidden love affair within a wealthy Istanbul family.
• YouTube Link: Aşk-ı Memnu Episode 1

4. "Diriliş: Ertuğrul" (Resurrection: Ertugrul)

• Original Run: 2014 – 2019
• Total Episodes: 150
• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
• Synopsis: A historical drama that chronicles the life of Ertuğrul Bey, the father of Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire.
• YouTube Link: Diriliş: Ertuğrul Episode 1

5. "Leyla ile Mecnun"

• Original Run: 2011 – 2014
• Total Episodes: 103
• IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
• Synopsis: An absurd comedy that offers a modern take on the classic Middle Eastern love story of Layla and Majnun.
• YouTube Link: Leyla ile Mecnun Episode 1

6. "Muhteşem Yüzyıl" (Magnificent Century)

• Original Run: 2011 – 2014
• Total Episodes: 139
• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
• Synopsis: A historical drama that delves into the life of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his court, focusing on his relationship with Hürrem Sultan.
• YouTube Link: Muhteşem Yüzyıl Episode 1

7. "Behzat Ç. Bir Ankara Polisiyesi" (Behzat Ç.: An Ankara Detective Story)

• Original Run: 2010 – 2013, 2019
• Total Episodes: 96
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
• Synopsis: A gritty crime drama centered around a morally ambiguous police officer in Ankara, tackling complex cases and personal demons.
• YouTube Link: Behzat Ç. Episode 1

8. "Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman ki" (As Time Goes By)

• Original Run: 2010 – 2013
• Total Episodes: 120
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
• Synopsis: Set in 1960s Istanbul, this melodrama follows the Akarsu family's trials after the patriarch's extramarital affair.
• YouTube Link: Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman ki Episode 1

9. "Kara Sevda" (Endless Love)

• Original Run: 2015 – 2017
• Total Episodes: 74
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
• Synopsis: A love story between a poor young man and a rich young woman, whose relationship faces numerous obstacles.
• YouTube Link: Kara Sevda Episode 1

10. "Çukur" (The Pit)

• Original Run: 2017 – 2021
• Total Episodes: 131
• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
• Synopsis: Centered around the Koçovalı family, this series explores the dynamics of a crime-ridden neighborhood in Istanbul.
• YouTube Link: [Çukur Episode 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example10

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