Istanbul Encyclopedia (Series)

Istanbul Encyclopedia is an eight-part Turkish drama series released on the Netflix platform on 17 April 2025, with direction and screenplay by Selman Nacar. Produced by Tims&B Productions and executive produced by Timur Prosecutor and Burak Sağyaşar, the series takes its name from the unfinished cultural reference work Istanbul Encyclopedia, published by Reşad Ekrem Koçu between 1944 and 1973.

Plot and Thematic Structure

The series explores the intersecting lives of two women from different generations and cultural backgrounds: Nesrin and Zehra. Doctor Canan Ergüder portrays the character of Nesrin, while Helin Kandemir portrays Zehra. Zehra moves to Istanbul for her education and begins living in Nesrin’s home. This cohabitation allows both characters to confront their pasts and redefine their identities within Istanbul’s layered structure opportunity.

Production and Development Process

During production, Reşad Ekrem Koçu’s encyclopedic approach to Istanbul—covering its cultural and everyday dimensions—was adapted into the narrative framework. Within this context, the series has developed a narrative style that weaves together historical storytelling with personal anecdotes building. The introspective narrative language and focus on psychological depth and visual minimalism evident in Selman Nacar’s earlier works continue in this project character.

Filming took place across various neighborhoods of Istanbul. The city’s texture, spatial divisions, and physical environment were treated as integral elements of the narrative organic. In this sense, the production is regarded not merely as a television series but also as a dramatic cinematic interpretation of Istanbul’s cultural memory.

Historical and Cultural Context

The series, named after the Istanbul Encyclopedia, treats Istanbul not simply as a city but as a multilayered historical and cultural structure. As in Reşad Ekrem Koçu’s encyclopedic vision, Istanbul in the series is positioned not as a physical space but as a foundational ground that shapes individuals’ identities, relationships, and ways of life dynamic. Within this framework, a reciprocal relationship is maintained between space and character interaction.

The characters in the narrative reflect the diverse social, cultural, and spatial layers of Istanbul. The intersection of Zehra, a young university student arriving from the countryside, and Nesrin, a doctor living in the city center, allows the processes of urban identity and individual self-definition to unfold in parallel. Istanbul’s urban memory is shaped not only in the historic peninsula but also in informal settlements, high-rise apartments, university campuses, and public buildings.

In this context, the production constructs Istanbul as both a geography and a backdrop for the internal evolution of its fictional characters. The everyday rhythms of urban life become representations of historical continuity and sociocultural transformation. Through this multilayered approach, the series aims to make Istanbul’s historical heritage visible not only through structural elements but also through individual stories.

Cast

• Canan Ergüder: Portrays Nesrin, a doctor struggling to sever her ties with the city.
• Helin Kandemir: Portrays Zehra, a young university student taking her first steps toward a new life in Istanbul.
• Müjde Ar: The actress returns to the screen after a long hiatus, bringing life to a significant character in the series.
• Tolga Tekin, Nezaket Erden, Kaan Miraç Sezen: Among the other notable actors in the series.

Visual and Narrative Style

"Istanbul Encyclopedia" seeks to reflect the atmosphere of the city through filming locations across its various neighborhoods. The series delves deeply into the characters’ inner worlds and their interpersonal dynamics, offering viewers a drama series.

Criticism and Viewer Reactions

The series has received mixed reactions from viewers. While some viewers commend its evocative portrayal of Istanbul’s multilayered structure and the emotional depth of its characters, others argue that it fails to sufficiently explore its central themes and finds the character development inadequate.