Eight Turkish series where the heroine drives the story, with what makes each lead strong and who each series suits.
Turkish dramas are often described as romances, but many of the best ones are really about a woman: her ambition, her choices and her survival. The heroine might climb a palace hierarchy, hold a struggling household together, or outwit a rival. "Strong" does not have to mean flawless. In these series it usually means a woman who acts, who changes her circumstances and who keeps the plot moving.
The eight series below are grouped by the kind of strength they show. Episode counts refer to the original Turkish broadcast. A content note: several of these series deal with hardship, betrayal and family conflict, so check the age guidance before watching with younger viewers.
At a glance
- Magnificent Century — Hürrem (Meryem Uzerli) | Ambition and power | 139
- Yasak Elma — Ender and Yıldız | Cunning and rivalry | 177
- Our Story — Filiz (Hazal Kaya) | Responsibility | 70
- Hold My Hand — Azra (Alina Boz) | Protecting a sibling | 2 seasons
- Love for Rent — Defne (Elçin Sangu) | Resourcefulness | 69
- Bitter Lands — Züleyha (Hilal Altınbilek) | Endurance | Ongoing at last check
- Evermore — The bride (Aslı Enver) | Finding her place | 87
- Sıla — Sıla (Cansu Dere) | Choosing love against tradition | 79
Ambition and power
1. Magnificent Century (2011 to 2014)
Hürrem rises from a slave girl to the wife of Sultan Suleiman and one of the most powerful figures in the empire. The series follows her fight for position, her rivalries in the harem and her influence on the court. Meryem Uzerli played her, opposite Halit Ergenç. Our Magnificent Century review covers the series in depth.
Why she is strong: she is a schemer and a survivor who changes her fate through intelligence and will.
2. Yasak Elma (2018 to 2023)
A wealthy woman, Ender, plans to have a young waitress, Yıldız, seduce her husband, and the plan backfires. Over six seasons the two women are rivals, enemies and sometimes allies. See our Yasak Elma review.
Why they are strong: both women refuse to be passive, and the plot follows their moves instead of a man's.
Responsibility and protection
3. Our Story (2017 to 2019)
Filiz is the eldest of six siblings who has raised her brothers and sisters since their mother left. Hazal Kaya plays her with humor and exhaustion. Read our Our Story review.
Why she is strong: she holds a household together with very little help.
4. Hold My Hand (2018 to 2019)
After her father's death, Azra is sent away by her stepmother along with her autistic brother, and she does everything she can to protect him. Alina Boz leads the cast.
Why she is strong: her strength is protective and patient rather than flashy.
Resourcefulness and endurance
5. Love for Rent (2015 to 2017)
Defne is a hardworking young woman who agrees to a paid arrangement that she then has to manage on her own terms. Elçin Sangu plays her in a light, romantic way.
Why she is strong: she is quick-witted and takes charge of a difficult situation.
6. Bitter Lands (2018 onward)
Züleyha, a young tailor in Istanbul in the 1970s, flees the city with her lover after her stepbrother sells her to a crime boss to cover gambling debts. They end up working on a farm in the Çukurova region near Adana, pretending to be siblings. Murat Ünalmış plays Demir Yaman, the landowner who is drawn to her. The series aired on ATV from September 2018, and we have not confirmed a final episode count.
Why she is strong: she faces threats and displacement and keeps going.
Finding a place and choosing love
7. Evermore (2017 to 2019)
A woman marries into a new family and must find her place among in-laws, tradition and old secrets. It was nominated for an International Emmy in 2018 and remade in several countries. See our guide to Turkish remakes.
Why she is strong: she stays herself under pressure from a large family.
8. Sıla (2006 to 2008)
Set between Istanbul and Mardin, it follows a young woman whose love is complicated by tradition and family expectations. Cansu Dere plays the title role.
Why she is strong: she stands up to the expectations around her, which is a classic Turkish drama theme.
How to choose
- Epic and political: Magnificent Century.
- Rivalry and twists: Yasak Elma.
- Warm and funny: Our Story or Love for Rent.
- Emotional and hopeful: Hold My Hand.
- Rural and dramatic: Bitter Lands.
For more, see our lists of the best Turkish family dramas and best Turkish period dramas, or start with the best dramas for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
Which Turkish drama has the strongest female lead?
Many fans name Hürrem in Magnificent Century because her rise drives the entire story.
Are there Turkish dramas led by two women?
Yes. Yasak Elma is built around the rivalry between two women, Ender and Yıldız.
Which is best for beginners?
Love for Rent is light and easy to start, while Our Story is a warm family drama.
Do strong female leads mean no romance?
No. Most of these series have a romance, but the heroine's choices drive the story.
Which are the shortest?
Hold My Hand has two seasons and Our Story 70 episodes, so none is very short. For short series, see our binge list.
