Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Unfaithful (originally titled “Sadakatsiz”), which became one of Turkey’s most gripping psychological thrillers, exploring the devastating consequences of infidelity and the dark paths that betrayal can lead people down.
Unfaithful (Turkish: Sadakatsiz) premiered on October 7, 2020 and ran for 2 seasons, ending with its 60th episode aired on May 25, 2022. Adapted from BBC One’s drama series Doctor Foster, this intense series is available on various streaming platforms and delivers a masterclass in psychological drama.
The series follows a successful doctor whose perfect life crumbles when she discovers her husband’s affair, leading to a dangerous game of manipulation and revenge. What sets Unfaithful apart is its unflinching examination of how betrayal can transform even the most rational person into someone unrecognizable, creating a psychological cat-and-mouse game that keeps viewers on edge.
The Perfect Life Shattered: A Doctor’s World Falls Apart
Asya is a successful doctor who has the perfect life with her husband and son. But after she finds a blonde hair on her husband’s scarf, she discovers his extramarital affair and everything changes. Doctor Asya Yilmaz (Cansu Dere) lives a peaceful and happy life in Tekirdağ with her husband Volkan (Caner Cindoruk) and their son Ali.
The plot begins with this seemingly small discovery that unravels years of lies and deception. What makes this story compelling is how it shows the methodical way Asya pieces together the truth, using her intelligence and medical background to investigate her husband’s betrayal. The series excels at showing how one moment of discovery can completely alter the trajectory of multiple lives.
Asya Yilmaz: The Transformation of a Betrayed Wife
Cansu Dere delivers a powerhouse performance as Asya, a character who evolves from a trusting wife and devoted mother into a calculating strategist seeking justice. Her portrayal captures the raw pain of betrayal while showing the dangerous lengths a person might go to when pushed beyond their breaking point.
Asya’s character arc is both fascinating and terrifying as viewers watch her transform from victim to orchestrator of her own revenge plot. Dere masterfully balances Asya’s vulnerability with her growing ruthlessness, creating a complex protagonist who remains sympathetic despite her increasingly questionable actions. Her medical expertise becomes both her strength and weapon in the psychological warfare that follows.
Volkan Arslan: The Husband Caught in His Own Web of Lies
Caner Cindoruk plays Volkan Arslan, the unfaithful husband whose affair sets the entire tragedy in motion. Cindoruk’s performance captures the complexity of a man who genuinely loves his family but has made choices that destroy everything he claims to value.
Volkan’s character represents the selfish nature of infidelity and the devastating ripple effects of betrayal on an entire family. As Asya’s investigation deepens, Volkan finds himself trapped between his wife’s growing suspicion and his mistress’s demands, creating a pressure cooker situation that drives much of the series’ tension.
The Mistress and the Mind Games: Psychological Warfare Unleashed
Melis Sezen plays Derin Güçlü, the other woman whose relationship with Volkan becomes the catalyst for the psychological battle that follows. The series explores how all three characters become locked in an increasingly dangerous game of manipulation and revenge.
The climactic episodes showcase the full extent of Asya’s transformation as she uses her intelligence and resources to systematically destroy those who betrayed her. The psychological tension reaches its peak as each character’s true nature is revealed, leading to consequences that no one could have anticipated. The series doesn’t shy away from showing how revenge can consume the avenger as much as the target.
Success on Streaming Platforms and International Appeal
The series story is about a married couple whose lives turn upside down due to an extramarital affair, a universal theme that resonated with international audiences. The show’s success lies in its ability to take the familiar premise of infidelity and elevate it into a sophisticated psychological thriller that rivals the best international productions.
The series’ format allows for deep character development and complex storytelling that explores the psychological impact of betrayal on all parties involved. Its availability on multiple streaming platforms has introduced Turkish psychological drama to new audiences, proving that compelling storytelling transcends cultural boundaries.
If you love psychological thrillers, complex character studies, and stories about the dark side of human nature, Unfaithful is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. Be prepared for an intense journey that will make you question how well you really know the people closest to you.
Unfaithful delivers a masterful exploration of betrayal and revenge, showcasing Turkish television’s ability to create sophisticated psychological drama that rivals the best international thrillers.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 60 episodes (2 seasons)
- Platform: Netflix, various streaming services
- Rating: 6.4/10 (IMDb)
- Genre: Psychological Thriller, Drama
- Protagonists: Cansu Dere (Dr. Asya Yilmaz), Caner Cindoruk (Volkan Arslan)
- Antagonist: Melis Sezen (Derin Güçlü), multiple supporting characters