Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the Turkish crime drama series Eshref Ruya (Eşref Rüya), which premiered on Kanal D and is now available on Prime Video, delivering a gripping tale of childhood love, criminal empires, and dangerous secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Originally airing on March 19, 2025, on Kanal D Turkey, this intense drama series is produced by Tims&B Productions and directed by Uluç Bayraktar. The series stars Çağatay Ulusoy as Eşref and Demet Özdemir as Nisan/Rüya, alongside Necip Memili and Tolga Tekin in supporting roles. With episodes running approximately 133 minutes each, the series offers cinematic-quality storytelling that explores the dark intersections of love, crime, and redemption.
Set in contemporary Turkey, Eshref Ruya weaves together themes of lost childhood love, organized crime, and undercover operations in a narrative that feels both intensely personal and broadly dramatic. The series masterfully balances romantic tension with crime thriller elements, creating a story that appeals to fans of both genres while delivering authentic Turkish drama storytelling.
The Mafia King’s Lost Dream: Eşref’s Dark Journey
The central narrative follows Eşref (Çağatay Ulusoy), a powerful mafia figure who built his criminal empire while searching for his childhood love, a girl he called “Rüya” (meaning “dream” in Turkish). Orphaned at a young age, Eşref was drawn into a life of crime but never forgot the innocent love that once gave his life meaning. His character represents the tragic figure of a man whose pursuit of love led him down a dark path of violence and power.
Ulusoy delivers a commanding performance, showing Eşref as both ruthless crime boss and vulnerable romantic, haunted by memories of a pure love that contrasts sharply with his brutal present reality. The series explores how his criminal activities were always motivated by his desperate search for Rüya, making every violent act a twisted form of devotion.
Nisan/Rüya: The Musician with Dangerous Secrets
Demet Özdemir brings complexity and depth to the dual role of Nisan, an idealistic musician who becomes entangled in Eşref’s world after performing at a wedding in his hotel. Unknown to Eşref, Nisan is actually the grown-up Rüya he has been searching for all these years. Adding another layer of danger, she is also working as a police informant, gathering evidence against the very man who loves her.
Özdemir’s performance captures the internal conflict of a woman caught between multiple identities: the innocent girl from Eşref’s memories, the independent musician trying to survive, and the undercover operative risking everything for justice. Her chemistry with Ulusoy creates the emotional foundation of the series, as viewers watch two people who should be perfect for each other navigate impossible circumstances.
Love in the Shadow of Betrayal: The Ultimate Test
The series builds to explosive confrontations as Eşref’s criminal world collides with Nisan’s secret mission. The central tension revolves around whether love can survive when built on lies, and whether redemption is possible for someone who has committed terrible acts in the name of that love. The series doesn’t shy away from exploring the moral complexities of both characters’ choices.
Supporting characters, including Necip Memili and Tolga Tekin, add layers to the criminal underworld and police operations, creating a rich ensemble that represents different perspectives on justice, loyalty, and survival. Their interactions with the main characters provide both obstacles and opportunities for the central love story to evolve.
The Reckoning: Crime, Love, and Impossible Choices
The climactic episodes force Eşref into a brutal reckoning with both his criminal empire and his emotions. As the truth about Nisan’s identity and mission comes to light, the series explores whether love born from childhood innocence can survive adult betrayal and violence. The supporting cast plays crucial roles in these final confrontations, representing the various forces pulling Eşref and Nisan in different directions.
The series handles these explosive revelations with the dramatic intensity Turkish audiences expect while maintaining the emotional authenticity that makes the characters’ struggles feel real and meaningful.
Success on Prime Video and Kanal D
Since its March 19, 2025 premiere on Kanal D Turkey, Eshref Ruya has captivated audiences with its blend of crime drama and romantic tragedy. The series’ availability on Prime Video has expanded its international reach, introducing global audiences to the powerful storytelling of Tims&B Productions and director Uluç Bayraktar. With each episode running approximately 133 minutes, the series offers feature-film quality production values and character development that rivals theatrical releases. The show has generated significant discussion about love versus justice, redemption versus revenge, and the price of obsession, establishing itself as one of the standout Turkish dramas of 2025.
If you love crime dramas that blend intense romance with psychological complexity and moral ambiguity, Eshref Ruya is the perfect series to binge on Prime Video.
A masterfully crafted Turkish drama that explores how childhood love can both inspire and destroy, creating one of the most emotionally complex crime stories on television.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: Ongoing (Weekly episodes)
- Platform: Prime Video (International), Kanal D (Turkey)
- Rating (IMDb): 7.8/10
- Genre: Crime Drama, Romance, Thriller
- Protagonists: Çağatay Ulusoy (Eşref), Demet Özdemir (Nisan/Rüya)
- Antagonist: The criminal underworld and conflicting loyalties