Kara Sevda (TV Series)

"Kara Sevda" is a romantic drama series that premiered its first episode on 14 October 2015 on Star TV. Produced in the love and drama genres, it is a Turkish television series. The lead roles are shared by Neslihan Atagül, Burak Özçivit and Kaan Urgancıoğlu. The series is directed by Crescent Saral and produced by Kerem Çatay. On 21 June 2017, the series concluded its run after 110 episodes. The central narrative revolves around the love story of Kemal and Nihan, intertwining impossible obstacles, family secrets, revenge and passion through a series of interconnected events.

The screenplay is written by Anıl Eke, Özlem Yılmaz and Burcu Görgün. The cast also includes Kürşat Alnıaçık, Zeyno Eracar, Orhan Güner, Neşe Baykent, Barış Alpaykut, Melisa Aslı Pamuk and Burak Sergen, among others, who place played significant roles.

The Sevda series achieved success on an international scale in 2017 and was awarded the International Emmy for Best Telenovela. It is the first Turkish series to win this honor.

"Kara Sevda" has been broadcast in over 110 countries and translated into more than 50 languages. Among the countries where it aired are Italy, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Morocco, France, Serbia, Romania, Germany, Iraq, Slovakia, Ukraine, Spain, Iran, USA and Mexico.

Plot

Kemal Soydere and Nihan Sezgin are characters from vastly different backgrounds. Kemal is the child of a middle-class family, while Nihan was born into a luxurious and sieve top lifestyle she never felt she belonged to. The two, from distant worlds, meet by chance and fall in love over time. Their love transforms into a powerful passion.

Kemal plans to propose marriage to Nihan. Meanwhile, Emir Kozcuoğlu, who is obsessively fixated on Nihan, becomes aware of their relationship and Kemal’s intention to propose. He devises a plan that results in Nihan’s brother Ozan committing murder. To prevent Ozan from going to prison, Emir forces Nihan to marry him.

After their separation, Kemal leaves Istanbul, overcome by grief, and moves to Zonguldak to work as a mining engineer. Later, after a tragic accident at the mine, he saves his employer’s life. The employer, who loves Kemal like a son, offers him a partnership. Within a short duration, Kemal rises to become a powerful and respected businessman.

Years later, Kemal returns to Istanbul and learns the truth behind Nihan’s marriage. He is torn between love and revenge. Although years have passed, Kemal and Nihan, who never forgot each other, begin to meet again. During this time, they investigate Ozan’s murder. Meanwhile, Emir plots to keep Nihan from leaving him. Emir’s sister Asu is in love with Kemal and aids her brother in preventing Nihan from reuniting with him. On the other side, Kemal’s sister Zeynep is in love with Emir and maintains a secret relationship with him. To seek revenge against Emir, Zeynep marries Ozan. They flee the country but are caught. After discovering Emir’s secret affair with his wife, she dies in prison. Nihan continues her secret investigation to uncover all the mysteries, but many people, especially Asu and Emir, stand in her way.

Promotional poster for the Kara Sevda series

Awards and Achievements

Soap Awards (2021)

Best International Telenovela (Winner)

45th International Emmy Awards (2017)

Best Production in the “Telenovela” Category (Winner)

International Seoul Drama Awards (2016)

Special Award – Kerem Çatay (Producer), Hilal Saral (Director), Director Özçivit (Actor), Neslihan Atagül (Actress) – (Winner)

Pantene Golden Butterfly Awards (2017)

2017 – Best Male Actor – Burak Özçivit (Nominee)

2017 – Best TV Series Music – Toygar Işıklı (Nominee)

2016 – Best TV Series – Kerem Çatay (Nominee)

2016 – Best Female Actor – Neslihan Atagül (Nominee)

2016 – Best Male Actor – Burak Özçivit (Actor)

2016 – Best Director – Hilal Saral (Nominee)

2016 – Best TV Couple – Burak Özçivit and Neslihan Atagül (Nominee)

2016 – Pantene Star of the Year Award – Melisa Aslı Cotton (Winner)

2017 TET Export Success Awards

Second Most Exported Production (Winner)

Vefa Lisesi Kemal Sunal Culture and Art Award (2017)

Best TV Series (Winner)

Best Male Actor – Burak Özçivit (Winner)

Best Supporting Male Actor – Uğur Lion (Winner)

Birey Educational Institutions Best of the Year (2017)

Best Actor of the Year – Burak Özçivit (Winner)

Best Director of the Year – Hilal Saral (Winner)

4th Bilkent Television Awards (2016)

Best Male Actor – Burak Özçivit (Winner)

Magazinci.com 16th Year Internet Media Magazine Oscars Best of the Year (2016)

Series of the Year (Winner)

Television Performance of the Year – Burak Özçivit (Winner)

Female TV Series Actor of the Year – Neslihan Atagül (Winner)