Ekin Koyuncu Karaman, Global Distribution & Partnership Director, OGM UNIVERSE: “OGM UNIVERSE has quickly grown into an important player in Turkish content distribution.” – Exclusive Interview

OGM Pictures has several new titles lined up for the upcoming season on Turkish television, including 6 of Us, Kral Kaybederse, and Şehrazad. We spoke with Ekin Koyuncu Karaman, Global Distribution & Partnership Director of OGM UNIVERSE, to learn more about these exciting projects and the company’s latest developments since our last conversation.

Ekin Koyuncu Karaman also shared updates on the international success of their series, Lost in Love, Broken Destiny, and Dilemma, highlighting their strong performance in key regions such as CIS, CEE, MENA, and LATAM. Additionally, she emphasized OGM’s participation in MIPCOM 2024, focusing on showcasing their expanding portfolio and securing international partnerships to broaden their distribution and explore adaptation opportunities.

How has the past year been for OGM UNIVERSE?

Ekin Koyuncu Karaman: OGM UNIVERSE has quickly grown into an important player in Turkish content distribution, reaching new regions and audiences as we expand our library. Thanks to successful series on mainstream TV and OTT platforms, we’ve been able to grow with confidence.

We have successfully expanded our library, reaching new regions and audiences. Notably, our series Lost in Love has garnered significant attention in international markets, particularly across the CIS, MENA, and CEE regions. The show has performed exceptionally well in Russia and the Middle East, accelerating our sales in these vital territories. To date, Lost in Love has been licensed in over 15 countries, and we are thrilled to announce its upcoming launches in Panama and Paraguay, with great expectations for further success across LATAM.

Additionally, our daily drama Broken Destiny has received remarkable ratings, blending traditional Turkish drama elements with a universally appealing storyline. Currently licensed in CEE, Africa, and LATAM, we are eager to extend its reach to the Middle East and CIS soon.

Another exciting project is Dilemma, our 8-episode crime/investigation series produced for Amazon Prime. With a star-studded cast and a gripping narrative that keeps viewers engaged until the final scene, we are confident Dilemma will achieve significant success in international markets. It has already been licensed in Russia, Israel, Poland, and Latvia, and we anticipate more exciting deals to follow.

OGM has some major projects lined up for this season. Let’s start with 6 of Us. Can you tell us a little about the series and what we can expect from it?

Ekin Koyuncu Karaman: We are excited to introduce our upcoming premium title, 6 of Us, at MIPCOM, starring Hazal Subaşı, Kaan Miraç Sezen, and Reha Özcan, and directed by Cem Karcı (The Tailor, Karadayı, Hercai, Red Room).

6 of Us explores themes of survival, love, loss, and hope. The story follows six siblings left to fend for themselves after the tragic deaths of their parents. As they navigate the dangerous streets of Istanbul, they face threats from both authorities and criminals while desperately seeking a safe haven. With Azize, their oldest sister, leading them, their bond becomes their only source of strength. The series captures their resilient journey, showcasing how they cling to each other while evading those who wish to tear them apart. 6 of Us offers a powerful mix of emotional depth and action, making it one of the standout titles in our lineup. Its universal themes and high production quality are sure to resonate deeply with international audiences.

Ekin Koyuncu Karaman: “We have successfully expanded our library, reaching new regions and audiences.”

There’s already been some buzz about your upcoming series Kral Kaybederse and Şehrazad, both of which are highly anticipated. Can you share any additional details about these two series, including their debut dates?

Ekin Koyuncu Karaman: We are incredibly excited about both Kral Kaybederse and Şehrazad. Kral Kaybederse, based on the work of Dr. Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu, stars Halit Ergenç and is directed by the Taylan Brothers. The story follows Kenan, a man who appears to have it all: charm, wealth, and the admiration of many, especially women. However, beneath the surface, Kenan grapples with deep insecurities. His personal chaos and ego-driven decisions ultimately lead to his downfall. With themes of healing, self-awareness, and complex human relationships set against Kenan’s Gatsby-like world, the narrative promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.

On the other hand, Şehrazad is a remake of the acclaimed Iranian TV series that achieved great success in its original form. The story centers around Shahrzad, a young woman forced to marry the son-in-law of a political leader while in love with someone else. The narrative is rich with themes of love, betrayal, and political tension, making it both emotionally charged and politically significant. Given the original’s success, we anticipate this adaptation will appeal to a global audience.

Prime Video’s first Turkish series, Dilemma, is one of OGM’s major projects. How is Dilemma performing globally? Is a new season in the works?

Ekin Koyuncu Karaman: Dilemma has surpassed our expectations regarding its global reach. Since its release on Prime Video, it has garnered a dedicated following not only in Türkiye but also in international markets like Europe, the Middle East, and even Latin America. The show’s intense psychological nature and Bergüzar Korel’s outstanding performance have captivated audiences. In terms of viewership, Dilemma has become one of the most-streamed Turkish series on Prime Video, solidifying OGM’s reputation for high-quality content production.

You’re attending MIPCOM, one of the most important content markets. What are OGM’s main focuses, expectations, and goals for MIPCOM this year?

Ekin Koyuncu Karaman: MIPCOM is a significant event for us, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase our latest projects and connect with global buyers. This year, our focus is on highlighting our expanding portfolio, which includes 6 of Us, Kral Kaybederse, Şehrazad, Dilemma, The Tailor, and Anotherself, all of which we believe have tremendous global potential. Our goals at MIPCOM are to secure international partnerships, expand our distribution reach, and explore adaptation opportunities that will increase the global accessibility of our stories. We are particularly focused on building collaborations that will help sustain our growth trajectory and diversify our content offerings.

This exclusive interview with Ekin Koyuncu Karaman was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIPCOM 2024 issue.