Esma Yılmaz on ‘Red Roses’ | Exclusive Interview

For months, Red Roses has been the talk of Türkiye. It’s the most-watched show in the country, with scenes shared all over social media, sparking conversations after every episode. We had an exclusive interview with young actress Esma Yılmaz, who portrays the character Mira in the series. Yılmaz discussed her role, Red Roses, and what’s next for the show.

Mira came into our lives as an angry young woman due to emotional issues with her mother. She made mistakes while trying to prove herself, but Zeynep and Meryem brought significant changes to her life. What would you say about Mira?

Esma Yılmaz: Mira is my pride and joy. Her intense, hysterical nature, while trying to appear “strong,” her inner conflict and rebellion… But at the same time, her compassion, the depth of her love, and her big heart reminds me of something from Esma. She’s built a shell around herself as a defense mechanism, to hide from the outside world. But inside that shell, there’s someone incredibly sensitive. Bringing her to life is truly special for me. I can’t wait to watch her emotional growth.

In the new season, Mira faces the challenge of her mother’s loss. What do you think lies ahead for her?

Esma Yılmaz: I can say that this season will show who chooses to be a good and righteous person. For Mira, the discovery of her real mother and family, along with dealing with the trauma of losing her mother, will be an extremely painful process. On her journey to eventually accept herself as she is, she might take some wrong turns, get deeply hurt, or we might see a completely different and bold Mira emerge.

Your chemistry with Özcan Deniz and Özgü Namal has been widely appreciated, and your scenes with Mina are shared a lot on social media. What would you like to say about your co-stars?

Esma Yılmaz: Özcan (Deniz) is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. It’s such a pleasure to act with him. Since day one, I’ve been amazed by his work ethic. Özgü (Namal) is a whole different story, almost like a fairytale. I feel as light as a feather when I’m with her, especially when we’re shooting emotionally intense scenes. She has this incredible energy that makes you feel so good.

As for my dear Mina, she’s like the little sister I’ve gained. From the day we met, we’ve had this great connection, and even just seeing her name on the schedule makes me smile. She’s a great confidant, a wonderful companion, and a true friend. I’m so lucky to have her as my scene partner. It’s so much fun to just be silly together. The whole cast is in such perfect harmony. I think my biggest blessing, our biggest blessing, is being with a team where we can learn, have fun, and create a safe space together.

What would you like to say to your audience outside of Türkiye?

No matter where they are in the world, I believe viewers will find a connection to a part of this story, however small, either with themselves or their surroundings. Because, rather than portraying a utopia, we’re reflecting real life. There are many people, especially women, living different lives far from here, whose fates may intersect with this story in some way. If watching this makes them feel even a little less alone, then we’ve achieved our goal.

This interview with Esma Yılmaz was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIPCOM 2024 issue.