Uzak Şehir: story, cast, season 2, reviews and where to watch the Turkish series

Presentation of the Turkish series Uzak Şehir (cast, actors, season 2)

The Turkish series Uzak Şehir is one of the most watched dizis of 2024. It is broadcast on Kanal D and stars Sinem Ünsal (Alya Albora) and Ozan Akbaba (Cihan Albora). The series brings together a solid cast and a story that resonates with many viewers, strengthened by the on-screen chemistry between Alya and Cihan.

Uzak Şehir is inspired by the Lebanese series Al Hayba. It combines family drama, traditions and romance in a storyline that deals with loyalty, secrets and the weight of social obligations.

The story follows Alya, a young widow who has to face the powerful family of her late husband. Between buried secrets, family duties and feelings that were not supposed to appear, the relationship between Alya and Cihan is at the heart of the intrigue. With strong performances and the unique setting of Mardin, Uzak Şehir has established itself as a regular weekly show.

This article presents the series in detail: its synopsis, the distribution and main actors, information about season 2, where it can be watched with subtitles in English, and the audience’s reception in Turkey and abroad.

Synopsis and story of the Turkish series Uzak Şehir (Far Away / Distant city)

The story of Uzak Şehir is simple but effective. Alya Albora, a young widow, travels with her son Deniz to her late husband’s hometown, Mardin, in southeastern Turkey. She makes this journey to respect his last wishes, since he wanted to be buried in his native land.

This return to the Albora family, a powerful clan in the region, triggers a series of events and tensions. Secrets buried for years come back to the surface, and a love story that was never meant to happen begins to emerge.

Cihan Albora, played by Ozan Akbaba, is the head of the family. He runs the household with authority. Alya’s arrival disturbs his balance and forces him to confront his own principles. Between family duty, painful memories and unexpected feelings for Alya, Cihan finds himself caught in a situation he had not anticipated.

⚠️ Spoiler:
After the funeral, Alya intends to return to Canada with her son Deniz. But Cihan’s mother refuses to let her grandson grow up far away from her and the family. She suggests that Alya should leave Deniz in Turkey and go back alone. Alya refuses. Living without her son is unthinkable.

The only way for her to keep Deniz is to marry Cihan, the brother of her late husband. This old custom, which still exists in different parts of the world, is meant to ensure that children grow up within the family.

Technical sheet of the Turkish series Uzak Şehir

• Original title: Uzak Şehir
• Broadcast channel: Kanal D
• Genre: Family drama
• Main actors: Sinem Ünsal, Ozan Akbaba
• Filming location: Mardin, Turkey
• Number of episodes (as of now): 28 in season 1
• Episode length: about 2 hours
• Season 2: scheduled for fall 2025

The series belongs to the category of dizis, Turkish TV dramas that have become a true export product in recent years. With episodes often running for two hours, Uzak Şehir follows this tradition. The production relies on the popularity of its two lead actors and on the strong visual identity of the city of Mardin, which plays an essential role in the atmosphere of the series.

Cast of Uzak Şehir (far away/distant city): main actors and supporting roles

The cast of Uzak Şehir brings together experienced actors and new faces. This combination gives the series both credibility and freshness. The main roles are played by Sinem Ünsal and Ozan Akbaba.

Main actors of the series: Sinem Ünsal and Ozan Akbaba

The success of Uzak Şehir owes a lot to its two leads actors :

Sinem Ünsal as Alya Albora

Before Uzak Şehir, Sinem Ünsal became famous with her role in Mucize Doktor (the Turkish adaptation of The Good Doctor), where she played Nazlı, a young doctor. She also appeared in Kızım and more recently in the romantic comedy Gizli Saklı, alongside Halit Özgür Sarı. In Uzak Şehir, she plays Alya, a doctor and a devoted mother to her son Deniz. Alya is a strong yet fragile woman. As a young widow, she finds herself facing the hostility of her in-laws. Her determination to protect her son gives the character sensitivity and strength.

Ozan Akbaba as Cihan Albora

Ozan Akbaba is already a familiar face to Turkish viewers. He became widely known for his role as İlyas Çakırbeyli in the long-running crime drama Eşkıya Dünyaya Hükümdar Olmaz.

In Uzak Şehir, he plays Cihan Albora, the head of the family and Alya’s brother-in-law. Cihan is a man of authority. He appears harsh and distant, but he carries heavy wounds from the past. His duty to his family and his unexpected feelings for Alya are central to the story.

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Other actors in the cast

Besides the two main leads, Uzak Şehir also features a strong supporting cast:

• Ferit Kaya as Demir Baybars
• Gonca Cilasun as Sadakat Albora
• Alper Çankaya as Şahin Albora
• Müfit Kayacan as Ecmel Albora
• Sahra Şaş as Nare Albora

Each of them adds depth to the series. Ferit Kaya is known for his roles in Çukur and Yargı. Gonca Cilasun has appeared in Sefirin Kızı and Ateş Kuşları. Alper Çankaya is part of the new generation of Turkish actors. Müfit Kayacan has a long career in theater and television. Sahra Şaş is recognized for her roles in Bizim Hikaye and Çukur.

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Cast overview

Actor / Actress	Character in the series
Sinem Ünsal	Alya Albora
Ozan Akbaba	Cihan Albora
Gonca Cilasun	Sadakat Albora
Sahra Şaş	Nare Albora Bulut
Alper Çankaya	Şahin Albora
Müfit Kayacan	Ecmel Albora
Ferit Kaya	Demir Baybars
Mine Doğan	Mine Kılıç
Kuzey Gezer	Deniz Cihan Albora

Uzak Şehir Season 2: release date and number of episodes

Number of episodes in season 1

So far, more than 20 episodes of Uzak Şehir have already been broadcast. Each episode airs in prime time on Monday nights on Kanal D. Season 1 is expected to have a total of 28 episodes.

For international viewers, the series is also available on PuhuTV, with subtitle options in several languages. At this stage, Uzak Şehir is not available on Netflix. However, the growing popularity of the series could change that in the future.

Release date of season 2

Season 2 of Uzak Şehir will start on Monday, September 15, 2025 on Kanal D. Filming began in mid-August 2025. After the success of the first season, the channel decided to keep the same broadcast day as season 1.

Where to watch Uzak Şehir in English (VOSTFR)

At the moment, the series is broadcast every Monday evening on Kanal D and is also available on the streaming platform PuhuTV.

For those who want to watch Uzak Şehir in English, the simplest option is to use subtitles. On the official YouTube channel of the series, it is possible to activate Turkish subtitles and then use the automatic translation tool to display them in English. The result is not perfect, but it allows international viewers to follow the story.

In addition, some groups of fans on Facebook and Telegram share episodes with subtitles in different languages, including English.

Is Uzak Şehir available on Netflix?

For now, the series is not available on Netflix. Other Turkish dramas such as Another Self (Le Chemin des Oliviers) or Love 101 have been added to the platform, which means a future release is not impossible.

Filming location of Uzak Şehir: the city of Mardin

The series is filmed in Mardin, a historic city located in southeastern Turkey. Known for its stone houses, narrow streets and terraces overlooking the Mesopotamian plain, Mardin offers a unique atmosphere that has become an essential element of the series.

The producers chose this location to emphasize the weight of traditions and the strong cultural identity that runs through the story. The city is not just a backdrop. It plays a real role, reinforcing the family tensions and the sense of belonging to a land that cannot easily be left behind.

Since the broadcast of Uzak Şehir, the city has attracted many visitors. Fans of the series come to see the filming locations, adding a new dimension to Mardin’s tourist appeal.

Filming location of Uzak Şehir: the city of Mardin

Uzak Şehir is filmed in Mardin, in southeastern Turkey. The city is known for its old stone houses, its narrow streets and the wide view over the Mesopotamian plain.

This choice of location is not just aesthetic. It underlines the weight of traditions and the strong cultural identity that are central to the story. The city becomes part of the series itself, reinforcing the atmosphere and the conflicts between duty, family and personal choices.

Since the beginning of the broadcast, Mardin has also attracted many visitors. Fans come to the filming areas, hoping to see the actors or simply to discover the places shown in the episodes.

Reviews on Uzak Şehir: audience and reactions

In Turkey, the audience system is demanding. A series can continue or be canceled depending on its ratings. Uzak Şehir quickly proved itself and has become one of the most watched programs of the year. Each week, the series ranks at the top of the charts, which convinced the channel to continue with a second season.

The popularity of the series goes beyond television ratings. In Mardin, the city where the show is filmed, fans gather near the shooting locations. Some try to catch a glimpse of the actors, others simply want to experience the setting of the story.

The attachment of the public can even go too far. The actress who plays Sadakat was once confronted by a group of older women who confused her with her character. This anecdote shows how much the viewers are involved in the story.

A series followed on social media

The success of Uzak Şehir is also visible online. On TikTok and Twitter (X), many clips, discussions and reactions are shared after each new episode. Hashtags related to the series are often trending on twiter. it shows the place the series has taken in the cultural landscape.

Al Hayba: the Lebanese series that inspired Uzak Şehir

Uzak Şehir is based on a Lebanese series : “Al Hayba“. This show was first broadcast on the MBC channel in 2017 and became a reference in the Arab world. The series was also available for a time on Netflix. It was led by actors Taim Hassan and Nadine Nassib Njeim. Taim played Jabal Sheikh al Jabal (Ceyhan in the Turkish version) and Nadine played Alia (Alya in the Turkish version).
The series follows Jabal, the head of a clan living near the Syrian border, and deals with family, traditions and power.

The Turkish version keeps the main idea but changes the setting and the characters. The story takes place in southeastern Turkey. The Albora family replaces the original clan. Some storylines are new, others are close to the Lebanese version.

There are clear similarities: a powerful family, a love story that goes against traditions, and a strong link to the land. But the writers of Uzak Şehir adapted the story for the Turkish audience and for the specific features of the Mardin region, while keeping the dramatic essence of the original work.