Dizi Friends Podcast

Eda S and Maha J
  • 5.0 (6)
  • TV Reviews
  • Updated Biweekly

Podcast description: Join Eda and Maha biweekly for an entertaining and informative chat about Turkish TV shows aka dizis. Eda is Turkish and Maha lives in the US and they find joy in exploring our differences as well as our similarities through watching dizis. Find us on Twitter(X) as @dizi_friends and on Instagram as @dizifriends

  1. If We Wrote a Dizi: Second Chances

    May 3

    If We Wrote a Dizi: Second Chances

    Episode Notes This week on Dizi Friends, Eda and Maha do something a little different: We create our own dizi. From casting and tropes to storyline, timelines, and even marketing, we imagine what our perfect Turkish series would look like. Set between Ankara and Istanbul, Second Chances follows a group of university friends whose lives reconnect years later; bringing old dynamics, new relationships, and unfinished stories back to the surface. Expect: familiar tropes with a twist, multiple love stories (yes, we went there), past vs present timelines and a surprisingly detailed take on how a show like this should actually be marketed. This episode is part storytelling, part industry commentary and a little bit of manifesting. Tune in and tell us: would you watch Second Chances? Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

    56 min
  2. What Makes a Great Leading Man? The Ozan Akbaba Case Study

    Mar 28

    What Makes a Great Leading Man? The Ozan Akbaba Case Study

    Episode Notes This week on Dizi Friends, Maha and Eda explore a question we don’t often stop to ask: What actually makes a great leading man? Using Ozan Akbaba as a starting point, we unpack the qualities that make certain actors feel… different on screen. From charisma and presence to emotional control and casting choices, we look at what makes a performance truly compelling—and why some leading men stay with us long after the episode ends. We also touch on how leading men in Turkish TV have evolved over time, and why audience expectations might be shifting. Is it about power? Vulnerability? Or something harder to define? *The movie we mention as a trivia at the ending is "Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım" starring Türkan Şoray and Kadir İnanır. Thank you for listening! See you in the next episode and let us know if you would like to listen to an episode about iconic Turkish movies. Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

    1h 2m
  3. Violence, Shock Value & Mafia Fatigue on Turkish TV

    Mar 8

    Violence, Shock Value & Mafia Fatigue on Turkish TV

    Episode Notes This week on Dizi Friends, Maha and Eda explore a noticeable shift in Turkish television: Why do so many new series revolve around crime, violence, and mafia-style narratives? We discuss several recent projects, including: Aynı Yağmur Altında – A show that sparked debate due to a controversial early scene and its reliance on shock-driven storytelling. Sevdiğim Sensin – A series with emotional potential about a young woman rebuilding her life in Istanbul, yet framed within darker narrative elements. A.B.İ. – An age-gap romance entering an already crowded dramatic landscape. Yeraltı – Another love story built around a mafia-centered world. Rüya Gibi – A promising show featuring a refreshingly different protagonist (a hairdresser), which concluded at episode 13 as darker themes took over. We also briefly mention Eşref Rüya ** and discuss broader concerns about how excessive violence might influence younger viewers. This episode is not about criticizing individual creators. It’s about recognizing a pattern. We ask: Why has “crime” in Turkish TV become almost synonymous with “mafia”? Is shock value replacing layered storytelling? Are audiences growing tired of violence-heavy narratives? And what does this trend say about the current state of the industry? Crime stories can be powerful. But does every story need a mafia backdrop? Join the conversation and tell us: Are you experiencing mafia fatigue too? Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

    1h 18m
  4. From Uzak Şehir to The Holiday: A Cozy December Episode

    12/21/2025

    From Uzak Şehir to The Holiday: A Cozy December Episode

    Episode Notes Two friends, many dizis, and an accidental Christmas special. 🎄✨ This week Eda and Maha start with what they’ve been watching, then wander happily into colors, words, creativity, and cozy holiday traditions. What we watched this week Eda: Halef Uzak Şehir Go Türkiye series: An Istanbul Story Kıskanmak Maha: Uzak Şehir Go Türkiye series: An Istanbul Story Veliaht Güller ve Günahlar We talk about what’s working (and not working) in these shows, how our expectations are changing as viewers, and why some dizis keep pulling us back even when they drive us crazy. From there, we go full “seasonal special” with some current cultural obsessions: Pantone picking Cloud Dancer (white) as Color of the Year Dictionary.com choosing “6–7” as Word of the Yea Maha’s experience at a“Bedazzling” book event and how using our hands (crafts, making things, handwriting) can quietly feed our creativity Eda's thoughts on Christmas as a non-Christmas person – not celebrating it religiously as Muslims, but still loving the lights, decorations, and the shared joy of the season Maha's thoughts on Christmas as someone who celebrates it and what makes it so special And of course, we had to end with comfort Christmas movies: Eda’s picks: -The Holiday -The Holdovers -The Chronicles of Narnia -The Muppet Christmas Carol -How the Grinch Stole Christmas Maha’s picks: -While You Were Sleeping -Home Alone -Miracle on 34th Street -Mickey’s Christmas Carol -The Chronicles of Narnia Cozy chats, light dizi spoilers, and lots of inspiration for what to watch next. 🎧 Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

    55 min
  5. Season 5 Premiere: Our Thoughts on Uzak Şehir, Halef, Veliaht, Kıskanmak

    11/30/2025

    Season 5 Premiere: Our Thoughts on Uzak Şehir, Halef, Veliaht, Kıskanmak

    Episode Notes 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

    1h 17m
  6. Spotlight Chat with Samhar: Our First Male Guest & The Psychology of Dizi Obsession

    08/24/2025

    Spotlight Chat with Samhar: Our First Male Guest & The Psychology of Dizi Obsession

    Episode Notes 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

    1h 9m
  7. Is Çift Kişilik Oda the Last Romcom on Turkish TV?

    08/10/2025

    Is Çift Kişilik Oda the Last Romcom on Turkish TV?

    Episode Notes 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 Find out more at https://dizi-friends-podcast.pinecast.co

    1h 7m
  8. From Emir to Eşref: The Journey of Çağatay Ulusoy

    07/27/2025

    From Emir to Eşref: The Journey of Çağatay Ulusoy

    Episode Notes 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

    55 min
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Podcast description: Join Eda and Maha biweekly for an entertaining and informative chat about Turkish TV shows aka dizis. Eda is Turkish and Maha lives in the US and they find joy in exploring our differences as well as our similarities through watching dizis. Find us on Twitter(X) as @dizi_friends and on Instagram as @dizifriends

Information

  • Creator
    Eda S and Maha J
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Eda S and Maha J
  • Show Website
    Dizi Friends Podcast