Cyprus Toward Victory (Series)

Kyprus: Towards Victory is a Turkish television series that premiered on TRT 1 on April 1, 2021, belonging to the historical, drama, and war genres. Produced by TMC Film, the series is a joint production of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The first season was broadcast under the title Once Upon a Time in Cyprus, and the second season continued under the title Kyprus: Towards Victory.

The series concluded with its 24th episode on February 4, 2022. The direction of the first season was handled by Hakan İnan, while the second season was directed by Osman Taşcı and Barış Erçetin. The screenplay was written by Emre Özdür and Başar Başaran. The main cast includes Ahmet Kural, Serkan Çayoğlu, Pelin Karahan, Tayanç Ayaydın, Gülper Özdemir, and Devrim Saltoğlu. The series is also available on the Tabii platform. It explores the conflicts in Cyprus during the 1960s and the existential struggle of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Plot

The series begins in 1963 with the events known in Cyprus as “Bloody Christmas.” The peaceful coexistence between Turks and Greeks is shattered by attacks from the EOKA-B organization. The Dereli family, citrus traders, find themselves at the center of these conflicts. The family patriarch, Kemal Dereli, assumes leadership to protect his family and the Turkish community. An agent sent to the island on a secret mission from Ankara, known by the nickname “Ankaralı,” influences the course of events.

The series portrays the period from 1963 to the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, highlighting the resistance and losses of the Turkish community. In the second season, historical events such as Rauf Denktaş’s return from exile, the Erenköy resistance, and the story of Cengiz Topel are brought to the forefront. The struggles of the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT) and its fighters form the central axis of the series.

Scene from the Series Cyprus: Towards Victory (TRT1)

Themes

The series explores themes of patriotism, resistance, loss, family bonds, and sacrifice. The existential struggle of Turkish Cypriots against ethnic conflict is shaped by solidarity and support from Türkiye. Love and family relationships are interwoven with the destructive impact of war. The secret mission of the “Ankaralı” underscores the role of individual sacrifice within the national struggle. Historical events are conveyed through fictional characters. The pursuit of freedom and social solidarity are central motifs of the narrative.

Viewership Performance

As a television series, Cyprus: Towards Victory does not have box office performance metrics. The first season aired on Thursday evenings at 8:00 PM, and the second season aired on Friday evenings at the same time on TRT 1. The premiere episode achieved a rating of 6.12 among all viewers, placing sixth; in the AB group, it ranked second with 7.46; and in the ABC1 group, it ranked third with 7.50. All episodes are accessible on the Tabii platform, and the series has garnered millions of views on social media, particularly on X, through promotional videos. However, criticism regarding the portrayal of certain historical figures, especially reactions from the families of Fazıl Küçük and Rauf Denktaş, has sparked debate.

Production

The series was produced by TMC Film and premiered on TRT 1 on April 1, 2021. Filming took place in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, at locations including İncirli Cave and Lefkoniko. The use of İncirli Cave for filming drew criticism due to concerns about environmental damage. Production was carried out after nearly a year of preparation and with the participation of the local population. Hakan İnan directed the first season, while Osman Taşcı and Barış Erçetin directed the second season. The music was composed by Alpay Göltekin and Zeynep Alasya. The series collaborated with consultants to accurately portray historical events.

Characters and Cast

The series features a large ensemble cast. The main characters and actors are as follows:

• Kemal Dereli (Ahmet Kural): A citrus trader and head of the Dereli family, who leads efforts to protect his family and the Turkish community.
• İnci Dereli (Pelin Karahan): Kemal’s wife, who strives to keep her family united.
• Ankaralı (Serkan Çayoğlu): An agent sent from Ankara on a secret mission, a pivotal figure in the resistance.
• Nihan (Gülper Özdemir): Ankaralı’s fiancée, adding an emotional dimension to the story.
• Samson (Tayanç Ayaydın): A member of EOKA-B who orchestrates attacks against the Turkish community.
• Mücahit (Devrim Saltoğlu): A key figure in the Turkish resistance, distinguished by his courage and leadership.
• Derviş (Hasan Küçükçetin): A supporting character connected to the Dereli family.
• Ayşe (Miray Akay): A young character who contributes an emotional element to the narrative.

The series was filmed entirely in Turkish and therefore did not require voice actors. The cast performed using their own voices.

Awards

There is no available information indicating that the series has won any official awards.