For our Series Mania 2026 issue, we spoke with OGM Pictures‘ Digital Platform Production Management Director Ayşıl Özmen.
Our primary focus is always to tell stories that resonate with local audiences and reflect emotions they can genuinely connect with. When those stories also find an international audience, it becomes a very rewarding outcome for us. Ultimately, we try to find the most honest and compelling way to tell a human story. Once that emotional core is authentic, the audience naturally becomes universal.”
Over the past decade, digital platforms have significantly reshaped the global television landscape, and Turkish production companies have become increasingly visible within that transformation. Among them, OGM Pictures has emerged as one of the key players collaborating with major international platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and most recently HBO Max.
With a slate that ranges from globally successful series to feature films developed specifically for streaming platforms, the company continues to expand its presence in the digital space while maintaining its focus on character-driven storytelling.
In this interview, Digital Platform Production Management Director Ayşıl Özmen reflects on OGM Pictures’ digital production strategy for 2026, the creative diversity behind its streaming projects, and the development process that shapes stories designed for global audiences. She also shares her observations on emerging creators in Türkiye and how the evolving habits of digital viewers influence storytelling today.
OGM Pictures produces highly viewed series and films for global giants such as Disney+, Netflix, and Prime Video. What does the company’s 2026 agenda look like in terms of digital productions?
Over the past few years, OGM Pictures has become one of the production companies in Türkiye most actively collaborating with global streaming platforms. The company has worked with Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and most recently HBO Max, developing projects that speak both to local audiences and, increasingly, to global viewers.
On the series side, titles such as The Gift, one of Netflix’s earliest Turkish originals, Yakamoz S-245, The Choice for Disney+, and Prime Video’s first Turkish original series Dilemma illustrate how digital storytelling in Türkiye has evolved over the past decade.
More recently, Kübra introduced a high-concept narrative combining technology, belief, and thriller elements, while series such as The Tailor and Another Self demonstrated the global reach of emotionally driven Turkish storytelling.
Feature films have also become an important part of that relationship with platforms. Titles such as Paper Lives, Aaahh Belinda, Last Call for Istanbul, and Abandoned Man allowed us to explore different genres while working with some of the most recognizable actors in the Turkish industry.
Looking ahead, the upcoming slate continues in the same direction. Among the next projects are the Disney+ series Pera, starring Afra Saraçoğlu, Kardeşler Mahlukat for HBO Max with Ali Atay and Ceren Moray, and a youth film titled Yaz Evi for Prime Video.
At the same time, several new series and film projects are also in development for digital platforms.
What remains central for us is the strength of the story and the actors bringing those characters to life. Turkish drama has always been deeply character-driven, and when that emotional authenticity meets strong performances, the stories tend to travel surprisingly well.
Your digital projects span a wide range of genres. Will this diversity continue in your upcoming productions?
Absolutely. The digital landscape rewards creative diversity, and audiences today are very open to different tones and storytelling styles.
Over the years we have explored very different narrative spaces. Kübra sits closer to high-concept storytelling, while Dilemma works within a crime structure. On the other hand, Another Self is a character-driven drama centered on female friendship and emotional transformation.
At the end of the day, however, genre is never the starting point. The real question is always whether the story feels compelling and emotionally truthful.
Series like Another Self and The Tailor performed strongly not only in Türkiye but across many international territories. Does that global response affect the way you select projects?
Our primary focus is always to tell stories that resonate with local audiences and reflect emotions they can genuinely connect with. When those stories also find an international audience, it becomes a very rewarding outcome for us. Ultimately, we try to find the most honest and compelling way to tell a human story. Once that emotional core is authentic, the audience naturally becomes universal.
How do you approach development for digital productions?
Everything begins with the story. When evaluating projects, we look closely at the strength of the narrative structure and the complexity of the characters. Digital audiences tend to engage with stories very quickly, so pacing and narrative momentum become particularly important.
Development is also a highly collaborative process. Writers, directors, producers, and platform partners all contribute to shaping the project. The goal is always to find the right balance between creative vision and the storytelling rhythm that works for digital platforms.
You served on the jury at Serial Bridges Istanbul 2025. What did you observe about emerging creators in Türkiye?
Considering today’s fast-paced content consumption habits, it has become increasingly important for creators to express their stories in a concise and impactful way. It was very impressive to see how many creators approach their stories by taking audience dynamics into account, while also presenting them in creative ways that reflect current trends.
