Inter Medya’s Founder and CEO Can Okan joins us to talk about what has been a busy and exciting year for the company. He shares insights on the international journey of titles such as Eshref Ruya and Valley of Hearts, reflects on the success of their latest co-production, Heartstrings, along with the growing mini-series catalog. Looking ahead, Can Okan sees MIPCOM 2025 as a key market to highlight Inter Medya’s hit dramas and announce its entry into vertical drama.
The last time we spoke was right before NEM Dubrovnik and NATPE Budapest, and since then you also attended MIP Africa. How did these markets go for Inter Medya? Could you share your overall impressions?
This year has been particularly dynamic for us. Both NEM Dubrovnik and NATPE Budapest allowed us to reconnect with long-time partners and open conversations with new players in Central and Eastern Europe. MIP Africa was especially exciting because it confirmed the strong appetite for Turkish content in the continent, buyers are not only looking for proven long-running dramas but also shorter, premium titles that fit digital platforms. Overall, we’ve seen solid business momentum and very positive signals from all three events.
2025 has already been a busy year for Inter Medya. Looking back at the first nine months, which regions have shown the strongest interest in your titles, and which productions have been driving the most international demand?
Latin America continues to be one of our strongest regions, with steady demand for our drama slate. Eastern Europe also remains a core market, while we’ve seen remarkable growth from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. In terms of titles, Valley of Hearts and Eshref Ruya have been leading the way, while Heartstrings has surprised us with how quicklyit has traveled.
I’d like to start with Eshref Ruya. Earlier this year you announced that Inter Medya would be handling its international distribution. How has the series’ global journey been so far?
Eshref Ruya has had a strong start internationally. Buyers quickly recognized its high production values and compelling storyline, which helped us close deals across Europe, Latin America, CIS and MENA.
Now that Eshref Ruya headed into its second season with strong rating results, how do you see the global anticipation building around it? Are there any new sales updates you can share?
There’s significant anticipation for Season 2. Many of our partners who licensed Season 1 are eager to secure continuity for their audiences. We are finalizing new sales in Asia and additional territories in Latin America, and we expect to announce further deals during MIPCOM. The global buzz is definitely growing.
Your new drama, Halef, which you will be presenting at MIPCOM, is one of the season’s most talked-about titles. The series tells the story of Serhat, a surgeon in Istanbul living a completely different life, who is suddenly forced to return to Urfa, where everything in his life changes. How would you describe Halef in your own words?
Halef is a compelling drama of legacy, tradition, and destiny, told through the story of Serhat. Once a successful surgeon in Istanbul, he is suddenly called back to his hometown of Urfa, where family obligations and an old blood promise force him into a life he thought he had left behind. As he assumes the role of Agha, Serhat is torn between responsibility and love, between the traditions that demand his loyalty and the modern life he worked hard to build. What distinguishes Halef is that it goes beyond the drama of a man caught between two women. It is a universal story of love, sacrifice, and the hidden truths that bind and divide families. Set against the culturally rich backdrop of Urfa, the series blends emotional depth with powerful conflict, making it deeply rooted in its setting and universally resonant.
We expect MIPCOM 2025 to be a very productive market. The industry is in a period of change, with buyers seeking both proven hits and innovative formats. For us, it’s about reinforcing partnerships, closing key deals, and continuing to demonstrate the strength of Turkish drama on the global stage.
Your latest co-production Heartstrings has been licensed in countries like Macedonia, Ecuador, MENA, Colombia and Romania. What more can you share about the series and its journey so far? Should we expect to see more productions from Inter Medya in the near future?
The response has exceeded expectations, proving that our deep knowledge of international buyers can be leveraged from the very beginning of a project. We do plan to expand our co-production investments, carefully selecting titles that we believe have both domestic and global potential.
Valley of Hearts was one of last season’s standout titles. We know it’s very successful in terms of sales too. How has the response been from international buyers and audiences?
The response has been outstanding. Broadcasters tell us that Valley of Hearts consistently performs at the top of their prime-time slots, and the emotional storyline resonates strongly across diverse cultures. Its combination of strong characters and universal themes makes it one of our most bankable properties.
You also signed a comprehensive agreement with Turkish streaming platform Exxen, adding a slate of mini-series to your global catalog. How are these titles performing in international markets?
The mini-series is working very well. Platforms and broadcasters appreciate the flexibility of shorter formats that allow for event-style programming. From our slate, several titles are already placed on major platforms in Latin America and Eastern Europe. It’s proof that the market is evolving and that buyers are open to new formats beyond the traditional long-running drama.
What can you tell us about your new mini-series Modern Woman, a GAIN Original?
Modern Woman is a very contemporary story that explores female empowerment, family, and identity with a modern lens. We believe it will speak to global audiences who are increasingly interested in authentic, character-driven stories.
There are many new Turkish dramas set to premiere later in the season. Alongside Halef, are you planning to add new titles to your catalog?
Yes, absolutely. We are continuously curating our catalog to ensure we have fresh, high-quality titles for our partners. There are several negotiations underway, and we will be announcing new additions both at MIPCOM and later in the season.
We’re now at MIPCOM, one of the key markets of the year. Which titles will you be highlighting at MIPCOM 2025?
At MIPCOM, we are highlighting our newest title, Halef, Eshref Ruya Season 2, Heartstrings, Valley of Hearts and Modern Woman, alongside our extended mini-series slate. We have added another GAIN Original to our mini-series slate, Fer. It’s a gripping, character-driven drama infused with drama and mystery. Also our feature films and unscripted formats catalog will be shining at MIPCOM. We are also keeping up with new trends and will be announcing at MIPCOM that we are entering the world of vertical drama. We already have a wide range of vertical dramas to produce in our pipeline and are preparing to add ready-made content to our catalog as well. We are excited about the steps we will be taking in this field.
Finally, what are your expectations for this year’s edition?
We expect MIPCOM 2025 to be a very productive market. The industry is in a period of change, with buyers seeking both proven hits and innovative formats. For us, it’s about reinforcing partnerships, closing key deals, and continuing to demonstrate the strength of Turkish drama on the global stage.
This exclusive interview with Can Okan was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIPCOM 2025 issue.
