Uzak Sehir

I'm not a big fan of Turkish series, which I sometimes find too "cliché", and this one combines all the ingredients to keep people on the edge of their seats and hooked.

The characters of Alya and Cihan are endearing, and their explosive "relationship" makes us want more.

The dynamics of the other actors, in addition to their touching stories where we feel for each of them, not to mention the breathtaking scenery of Mardin, make this show a gem.

You'll love the slow burn between Cihan and Alya, you'll feel sad for the fate of the characters, you'll be caught up in the tribal conflicts, Sadakat and Ecmel's hatred, Demir's revenge, Mine's jealousies and, strangely, you'll love hating the antagonists... The episodes are fluid and the acting is good, so go for it, guys!

Uzak Sehir is just...WOW! I'm practically vibrating with anticipation for each new episode! Seriously, it's like I'm right there with them, feeling every single emotion. The visuals are absolutely stunning, but it's the raw, genuine emotions that truly grab you and pull you into their world.

And CihAl... swoon! Alya and Cihan? They're everything I could ever want in a couple! The chemistry between them is absolutely incredible! You can practically feel the sparks flying through the screen. Every stolen glance, every hesitant touch, every shared moment, it's just perfect! I'm completely and utterly invested in their journey! Please, writers, I'm begging you, give them a happy ending! They deserve it more than anything!

The whole cast is amazing! They bring such depth and authenticity to their roles, making every scene feel so real, like you're watching real life unfold before you. And the music? Oh my goodness, the music! It hits you right in the heart every time, perfectly amplifying the emotions on screen. The setting is portrayed with such care and attention to detail, it's truly beautiful and adds so much to the story.

I love how the show manages to balance the drama with those heartwarming, tender moments. It's not just about sadness and conflict! It's about hope, connection, and the beautiful, unexpected places where love can be found. I'm really hoping they avoid any unnecessary, dark, and contrived drama! CihAl deserves all the happiness in the world! Their love is too precious and pure to be ruined by cheap plot twists!

Honestly, Uzak Sehir is more than just a show; it's a complete and immersive experience. It makes you feel things deeply, it makes you believe in the power of love, and it leaves you longing for more. If you haven't watched it yet, you absolutely need to! You won't regret it for a single second! I'm completely and utterly obsessed, and I know you will be too! CihAl forever! They are the real deal.

From 6.0 to 8.0

Update 10/3/25 ! It's fascinating how our perceptions of a series can evolve over time. Initially, Uzak Sehir didn't captivate me a 100% but by episode 5, I found myself becoming a major fan. The actress portraying Alya, Sinem Ünsal, improved significantly as the series progressed, perhaps due to a reduction in her earlier tendency to pout.

The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, even characters like Mine. However, Cihan's continuous deceit towards Alya is frustrating. He forbids her from meeting other men for simple activities like coffee, yet maintains a secret relationship himself. His anger when Alya discovers this hypocrisy, especially after she directly questioned him and he lied, is particularly aggravating.

Another source of annoyance is Sadakat. While the actress delivers a commendable performance, the character's persistent hypocrisy and bullying towards Alya lack justification. The primary antagonist seems to be Cihan's mother, whose animosity towards Alya appears baseless and shifts inconsistently, reflecting the scriptwriters' whims. Her contradictory desires-wanting a grandchild but rejecting Deniz and opposing Alya-without allowing Deniz to leave, despite hiding his true lineage as Emcel's grandson, highlight a lack of character development. These inconsistencies can be exasperating, and the writing sometimes feels lacking in coherence.

I hope the writers can develop Sadakat's character, possibly fostering an alliance with Alya, similar to the positive development seen with Alya. Regarding Cihan and Alya's relationship, it might be more compelling if they divorced and then genuinely fell in love, introducing a "tragic lovers who can't be together" trope. Currently, there's a power imbalance due to Alya's ignorance of Deniz's true paternity and Cihan's deceit.

Uzak Sehir has evolved into a series that keeps me engaged, and I look forward to seeing how the characters and plotlines develop in future episodes.

There are also less scenes with the child actor, which I approve of.

-- Review before 10/03/25 (6.0)The show has an absolutely interesting premise-who doesn't love a good enemies-to-lovers storyline? Unfortunately, the female lead Sinem Ünsal , makes it difficult to fully enjoy the narrative or the romance with the male lead. Her constant overacting and exaggerated facial expressions make it hard to take her character seriously, and at times, it's downright cringe-worthy to watch.

The male lead Ozan Akbaba while not conventionally hottie material imho (compared to other Turkish actors like Can Yaman or Akin Akinözu for example), brings enough charisma and talent to his role to sell the romance and carry his part of the story. However, it's not enough to fully balance out the issues with his co-star.

On top of that, the female lead's appearance is a major distraction. Having watched plenty of Turkish dramas, I've grown accustomed to the leads often having cosmetic enhancements, but her overly noticeable lip fillers combined with her lackluster acting make it hard to connect with her character. It's disappointing that casting directors seem to prioritize a "plastic" look over real talent-though this is the first time it's truly bothered me to this extent.

The child actor playing the son adds another layer of frustration. Not only is the character written as a brat who doesn't seem to have much affection for his mother, but the storyline involving him feels forced and unengaging. It reminds me of Dolunay, where the child character often detracted from the more compelling interactions between the leads.

Despite these drawbacks, I'll likely keep watching to see if things improve. However, I can't help but wish they had cast the actress playing Chihan's sister (Sahra Sas ) as the lead-or just someone more talented overall than the actress portraying Alya.

One of the biggest weaknesses of this film is the way the child character is portrayed. He has no trace of his past-no memories of his previous life, no friends, no home, no toys, no connection to the completely different environment where he was born and raised, and not even a natural attachment to his mother. It feels as if he was born into this family and in Mardin at that very moment, with no emotional or psychological impact from his past. This lack of depth makes the character unrealistic and unconvincing. A child's past, especially in a story like this, should shape their behavior, emotions, and interactions. It would have been much more believable if the filmmakers had consulted a child psychologist to ensure a more natural and psychologically accurate depiction of the child's experiences and reactions.

"Uzak Sehir" sounds like a captivating adaptation of Al Hayba, with a unique storyline bridging Canada and Mardin. The narrative, centered on Alya's journey to fulfill her late husband's last wish, explores the intricate dynamics of the Albora family while unraveling the dangers of their world. The enchanting backdrop of Mardin Midyat adds depth to the storytelling, enhancing its visual and emotional appeal.

As Halil Ozdemir, a merchant involved in this dramatic tale, I had the privilege of contributing to this compelling production. The performances of Ozan Akbaba and Sinem Unsal stand out, delivering powerful and authentic portrayals of their characters. The realistic dialogues and dramatic narrative leave a lasting impression, making Uzak Sehir not just a story but an experience.