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Inter Medya has tightened its grip on the global market with fresh deals for Valley of Hearts (Siyah Kalp), the Cappadocia-set family saga penned by celebrated writer Yıldız Tunç and produced by Tims &B Productions. The distributor confirmed new licences with broadcasters in Georgia, Hungary and Chile, bringing the tally to more than 30 territories since the series bowed last September on Turkey’s Atv. Earlier in the year Mediaset Italy picked up the title after its prime-time debut episode topped the night’s ratings, signalling robust European demand for contemporary Turkish “dizi.”

Starring Ece Uslu, Hafsanur Sancaktutan and Aras Aydın, the 26-episode first season follows abandoned twins Nuh and Melek as they track down the mother who left them and upend her wealthy new household. Director Uluç Bayraktar captures the region’s volcanic valleys while cinematographer Mete Aksu tints the landscape in warm ambers designed to mirror the show’s light-and-dark moral palette.

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Turkish drama has been a strong international seller for some time, but as production costs rise, distributors are keen to open up more territories and find new ‘dizi’ fans. Accordingly, Valley Of Hearts is one of a growing number of Turkish shows breaking into Western Europe, selling into Italy where it has commanded strong ratings.

A tale of twins finding their real-life mother and the ensuing drama and intrigue, the series comes from esteemed author and TV scribe Yıldız Tunç, the writer of Broken Pieces, Bitter Lands and many other Turkish series. She tells Deadline about Valley of Hearts,...

Valley Of Hearts is the latest Turkish drama to sell to Italy. The series has fared well at home and now been snapped up by Mediaset.

The show is set in the picturesque Turkish region of Cappadocia, famous for its rock formations and now a huge tourist destination. The series turns on the story of a mother who abandons her newborn twins and the events that unfold as the infants grow up.

It is made by Turkish prodco Tims&b and features an ensemble cast including Ece Uslu, Aras Aydın, Hafsanur Sancaktutan, Leyla Tanlar, Burak Sergen and İlker Aksum.

Valley Of Hearts has fared well on Show TV in Turkey. It bowed internationally at the MIPCOM TV market in Cannes last October where it was one of Inter Medya’s big launches. The distributor said it is in the final stages of inking more international deals for the series.

Turkish drama fares well internationally.