Once Upon a Time in Cyprus (Series)

Once Upon a Time in Cyprus is a Turkish television series in the historical, drama, and war genres that premiered on TRT 1 on April 1, 2021. Produced by TMC Film, the series is a joint production of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The series continued under the title Cyprus: Toward Victory in its second season and concluded with its 24th episode on February 4, 2022. The screenplay was written by Emre Özdür and Başar Başaran, while the direction of the first season was handled by Hakan İnan and the second season by Osman Taşcı and Barış Erçetin. The series features Ahmet Kural, Serkan Çayoğlu, Pelin Karahan, Tayanç Ayaydın, Gülper Özdemir, and Devrim Saltoğlu in leading roles and is also available on the Tabii platform. The series explores the conflicts in Cyprus during the 1960s and the existential struggle of the Turkish Cypriots.

Plot

The series opens with the events that began in Cyprus in 1963, known as the “Bloody Christmas.” The peaceful coexistence between Turkish and Greek Cypriots on the island is disrupted by attacks carried out by the EOKA-B organization. The story of the Dereli family, citrus merchants, unfolds at the heart of these conflicts. The family patriarch, Kemal Dereli, assumes leadership to protect his family and the Turkish community. Simultaneously, a secret agent dispatched from Ankara under the nickname “Ankaralı” alters 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 the Erenköy resistance and the story of Cengiz Topel are brought to the forefront.

Still from the Set of Once Upon a Time in Cyprus Series (IMDB)

Themes

The series addresses themes of patriotism, resistance, loss, family bonds, and sacrifice. The existential struggle of the Turkish Cypriots is shaped by the ethnic conflicts on the island and the support of Türkiye. Love and family relationships are interwoven with the destructive impact of war. The secret mission of Ankaralı underscores the role of individual sacrifice in the national struggle. By portraying historical events through fictional characters, the series centers on solidarity and the pursuit of freedom.

Viewership Performance

As a television series, Once Upon a Time in Cyprus does not have box office performance metrics. The first season aired on Thursday evenings at 8:00 PM and the second season on Friday evenings at 8:00 PM on TRT 1. The premiere episode achieved a rating of 6.12 overall, placing sixth; 7.46 in the AB group, placing second; and 7.50 in the ABC1 group, placing third. All episodes are available on the Tabii platform, and the series has generated significant attention on social media, with promotional videos accumulating millions of views. However, criticisms regarding the portrayal of certain historical figures, particularly reactions from the families of Fazıl Küçük and Rauf Denktaş, have been widely discussed on social media.

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, particularly in locations such as İncirli Cave and Lefkoniko. The decision to film at İncirli Cave sparked debate over environmental concerns. After nearly a year of preparation, production was carried out with strong public interest from 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 for its historically grounded screenplay, although some historical portrayals have drawn criticism.

Characters and Cast

The series features an extensive cast. The main characters and actors are as follows:

• Kemal Dereli (Ahmet Kural): A citrus merchant and head of the Dereli family who leads efforts to protect his family and the Turkish community.
• İnci Dereli (Pelin Karahan): Kemal’s wife, a character who strives to keep the family united.
• Ankaralı (Serkan Çayoğlu): A secret agent sent from Ankara, a pivotal figure in the island’s 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): An important 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 emotionally to the narrative.

Since the series was filmed entirely in Turkish, no voice-over artists were required. The actors performed using their own voices.

Awards

There is no record of the series having won any official awards. No award listings are available on IMDb or other sources.