“We’re in for a season full of surprises that will leave viewers more than satisfied” TIMS&B Productions on Their Bold New Series – Exclusive Interview

TIMS&B Productions, one of Türkiye’s leading production companies, has made a strong start into the new season. Their new series Valley of Hearts has quickly won over audiences, while The Shadow Team continues to hold its top spot with its 5th season.

We had the pleasure to sit down with Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar and talk about their current shows, as well as their upcoming Netflix projects, such as Old Money and Istanbul Encyclopedia. Another exciting highlight of the interview was their newly announced series Eşref Rüya, starring Çağatay Ulusoy.

TIMS&B Productions has kicked off the new season with a strong start, launching Valley of Hearts and Loveberry, while The Shadow Team continues with Season 5. Could you walk us through the creative development process behind Valley of Hearts and Loveberry?

Timur Savcı: We had this idea of creating a series that we referred to as a “modern, urban woman’s story.” For a while, we had been developing a project with Sırma Yanık, the writer behind series such as Mrs. Fazilet & Her Daughters, The Girl Named Feriha, and Ruthless City. When she shared the concept of Loveberry with us, we loved it. The motto, “Only its own leaf cleanes the black mulberry’s stain,” inspired us to design the urban woman’s story we had been aiming for, and we decided to bring Loveberry to life.

As for Valley of Hearts, we had already begun discussing it with our beloved writer, Yıldız Tunç, who has been our long-time collaborator, while the last episodes of Deception were airing. We believed a series centered around internal power struggles within a family would resonate with audiences all over. Yıldız came to us with a brilliant idea: “Let’s depict the conflict between characters with Black and White Hearts.” We liked that concept, and that’s how we started to work on Valley of Hearts.

Both Valley of Hearts and Loveberry have large, talented ensembles of strong and accomplished actors. These shows have resonated with Turkish audiences thanks to their compelling stories and outstanding performances. What can you tell us about the cast?

Burak Sağyaşar: We’re working with truly exceptional casts on both shows. The stories of Valley of Hearts and Loveberry are powerful, but without the talented actors who bring them to life, we wouldn’t have been able to build such a deep connection with the audience. Working with good actors adds an entirely new dimension to the story. They go beyond what’s written in the script, giving the characters more depth and bringing out the finer details through their performances, which makes the story more captivating. It’s this authenticity and realism that helps viewers connect with the characters. So, it’s a great privilege to be working with such talented and successful actors on both of our shows.

In Valley of Hearts, we focus on the story of twins who were abandoned by their mother at birth, and their journey to find her and confront her. This also opens the door to other important storylines. In Loveberry, we follow four sisters who lost their mother very early on, as they navigate their relationships with each other and their father, while also struggling with their own lives. Both series are built around strong family dramas. In your opinion, what is it about Valley of Hearts and Loveberry that resonates most with the audience?

B.S: In Valley of Hearts, the twins’ journey to confront their mother after being abandoned reminds the audience of the family conflicts everyone experiences in some way or another. It’s a very universal theme because at some point, everyone faces moments where they have to reckon with their family. Loveberry, on the other hand, focuses on the struggles of four sisters, both with each other and with life itself. The inner conflicts each character faces, the family bonds, and their responsibilities make viewers reflect on their own relationships. People can see themselves and the challenges they face with loved ones through these characters.

T.S: That’s exactly why both shows manage to touch the audience’s hearts, because they remind us of emotions we’ve all experienced in some way. The greatest strength of both series is perhaps their ability to sincerely convey the deep, complex emotions within families.

Uluç Bayraktar is now part of TIMS&B. We’ve already seen and will continue to see his touch in the Valley of Hearts and Old Money. What can you say about this partnership?

T.S: Uluç and I go way back. In fact, I was the producer who gave him his first opportunity to direct on his own, on the series Kampüsistan. After that, we didn’t cross paths for many years, but we always stayed in touch and remained close at heart. When Uluç decided to take a new direction in his career, we had just one phone call and said, “Isn’t it time for us to work together again?” And that’s how we reunited. We’ve been very happy with our journey so far, and I think we have many more exciting projects ahead of us.

B.S: Uluç is an experienced director who’s delivered many successful projects. I’m happy to be working with him as well.

We would also like to talk about Old Money, starring Aslı Enver and Engin Akyürek, directed by Uluç Bayraktar, and written by Meriç Acemi. It’s already one of your most anticipated projects. What can you share with us about Old Money?

T.S: Old Money is about a power play that unfolds in the middle of a great love story. The plot focuses on two strong characters from different worlds who are drawn to each other, but also resist one another. That’s why having Aslı Enver and Engin Akyürek together makes this project even more special. I think the chemistry between them will be widely talked about. I won’t spoil the details, but the story of two intelligent individuals filled with both love and conflict is sure to fascinate everyone.

In the new season of The Shadow Team, you’ve brought Tolga Sarıtaş and Aybüke Pusat back together, a duo fans have missed since The Oath. What can you tell us about this new season of The Shadow Team?

B.S: Every season, we prepare for The Shadow Team with the same excitement as if we’re starting a brand-new show. That’s because we refresh our story with each season. This time, it really felt like we were launching an entirely new series, and we’ve seen this reflected in the feedback and ratings. The chemistry between Tolga and Aybüke, which was so widely admired in The Oath, brings a sense of nostalgia, while also adding fresh energy to the story in The Shadow Team. This season, it’s not just the action scenes that will captivate viewers, but also the deeper relationships between the characters. I can say that we’re in for a season full of surprises that will leave viewers more than satisfied.

Last week, it was announced that TIMS&B Productions signed a deal with Çağatay Ulusoy. Can you share any details about the project he’ll be involved in? I believe it’s for mainstream. If possible, could you also give us some information about the timeline?

B.S: The project is called Eşref Rüya, so let me start with that. We’re putting a lot of care and diligence into it. Çağatay Ulusoy will be playing the role of Eşref, and we’ll get to see a new side of him that hasn’t been shown before. It is both very familiar and relatable, but at the same time, it’s unique and has a gripping storyline. We’re stepping into a new world, but it’s a world that will connect with everyone in some way.

T.S: Yes, we’re preparing the project for mainstream, and we’re thrilled about it. Uluç Bayraktar will be directing, but it’s still a bit early to share more details. We’ll be on screen soon, and I’m sure it will grab everyone’s attention and become a production that people will really enjoy.

You’ve worked with Selman Nacar, whose films Hesitation Wound and Between Two Dawns we love, on the series Istanbul Encyclopedia for Netflix Türkiye. Has the release date been set? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this series.

B.S: Istanbul Encyclopedia is a project we’re really excited about. It turned out to be a very special series, made by a very special group of people. Selman is a director whose vision and writing we trust immensely. This is his first series project, and he developed it together with us hand-in-hand, delivering exceptional work. We know that independent filmmakers can create amazing content for big platforms like Netflix, and we’re fully behind supporting this movement.

T.S: We have a deeply emotional story that captures the unique spirit of Istanbul. When combined with the incredible performances of Canan Ergüder and Helin Kandemir, it turned into a very delightful series. We can’t give an exact release date yet, but we’re aiming to meet the audience in the first half of 2025. We’re looking forward to that.

TIMS&B Productions’ series Another Love, Deception, and Bitter Lands have been making waves globally as well. Can you share any data or insights about the international success of your series over the past year?

B.S: Yes, the international journey of our series has been progressing very well. Our show Another Love first won the Rose d’Or, then the “Best Drama Award” at the Seoul International Drama Awards. We’re proud to be the first Turkish production company to win at the Rose d’Or, and in Seoul, it was an honor to represent the only Turkish series to win this year. Bitter Lands has been highly successful in every region it has entered. It even had a successful Greek adaptation, but in Italy, it literally became a phenomenon. The show had already been a fan favorite for over four seasons, but the ratings in the last season managed to surprise us too. On its broadcast day, it surpassed a TV program featuring the Pope in viewership and was one of the top-rated shows even against the Sanremo Music Festival live broadcast.

T.S: Even though Bitter Lands started in 2018, it continues to grow its popularity and is still entering new markets, which makes us really proud. Our actors are also being invited to various projects in Italy, so we’re seeing the influence of the series not just through sales but in the broader impact it has on the industry. The Trusted has been in the top 10 on Brazil’s Globoplay since it premiered. We recently received great news that Deception, one of last season’s hits, has been nominated in four categories at the Produ Awards in Latin America, including “Best Series,” and both our lead actors and actress. So that’s also gratifying news for us.

You previously announced that you are working on a major, impactful historical drama project, similar to Magnificent Century, with plans to execute it as a co-production. How is that project progressing?

T.S: This is truly a “passion project” for us. The progress is going well, but we are still in the development phase, waiting for the right economic and market conditions. The timing is also crucial because it will feature a big cast, and we want to make sure we bring together the best talent in their fields at the right moment.

The global promotion of your new series will start at MIPCOM 2024. What are your company’s goals for this year’s market?

T.S: This year, we’re working with the same distributor for the first two of our new projects. Our goal at the market is to visually increase our visibility within the Cannes ecosystem, while also strengthening our brand as the producer of two of the most anticipated shows of the season. We’ll be showcasing Valley of Hearts and Loveberry to buyers using creative methods, and we’re planning several surprises with our distributor, Inter Medya, for this purpose.

B.S: While Valley of Hearts and Loveberry are our key projects for the 2024-2025 season, we’ll also be continuing the promotion and sales of our other successful shows that have gained worldwide attention. I believe we, as an industry, will deliver a strong response to those who think that “the power of Turkish dramas isn’t what it used to be,” because from what we’ve seen so far, this season is filled with impressive and impactful projects.

This exclusive interview with Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIPCOM 2024 issue.