As Episode Magazine, we spoke with Asena Bülbüloğlu, the producer of Disney+ original We’ll Be Fine.
We’ll Be Fine, both while reading and watching, became a work that will make everyone who watches it think, question themselves, and feel hopeful through the strength of its text and its execution. It’s a very passionate and warm love story that will make our hearts race.”
One of the most influential and defining figures in the Turkish TV industry, Asena Bülbüloğlu, the founder of MF Yapım, has long been one of the key producers shaping storytelling both in mainstream television and on digital platforms. Known for her strong intuition, her ability to bring the right teams together, and her belief in the story, Bülbüloğlu now invites the audience to a place that feels both very familiar and deeply profound.
We’ll Be Fine is not just a new project in her producing world; it’s a narrative that focuses on today’s relationships, real emotions, and the bonds that cannot be broken. In this story, written by Pınar Bulut, the element Bülbüloğlu emphasizes the most is the feeling of “reality.” That sense of familiarity you recognize while reading, and that reminds you of yourself while watching…
Bringing together Mert Ramazan Demir and Miray Daner in the lead roles, and directed by Neslihan Yeşilyurt, this project is one of the rare works that maintains its local emotional core while also establishing a global narrative language.
We sat down with Asena Bülbüloğlu to talk about the moment she said “yes” to this story, the delicate balance of bringing together the right actors and director, the new perspective that comes with working on global platforms, and most importantly, why a producer believes in a story. Because sometimes, the strength of a project lies not only in its script, but in how much those who create it believe in it.
How did We’ll Be Fine come to life? What was the moment you first said “yes” to this story?
Since our series Between the World and Me on Disney+ was widely watched and loved, we wanted to tell a new “relationship.” We came together again with Pınar. When I first heard this story from her, I loved it.
When you first read the script, what affected you most in Pınar Bulut’s writing?
What affected me the most in Pınar’s story was the sense of “reality.” While reading, I found traces of myself or of a story I had heard before. That motivated me to commit to the project wholeheartedly.
This series tells a very contemporary relationship story. As a producer, did bringing such a real and unfiltered portrayal of modern love to life excite you?
As I said, connecting with the story emotionally always excites me. This was one of those stories. The strength of the dialogue, and the credibility and authenticity of the scenes affected me deeply.
What was the process like bringing Mert Ramazan Demir and Miray Daner together as leads? Did you feel that chemistry from the beginning?
If I can immediately picture people in my mind while reading a script, I feel very lucky. I had been following both Mert and Miray with great admiration, and I think we made a very right decision. I also think we are very lucky to be working with two passionate and committed actors.
How did working with director Neslihan Yeşilyurt contribute to the project? How did you support the creation of this visual world from the production side?
Neslihan is full of surprises. The greatest harmony I have with her comes from sharing her dreams, listening to her and believing in her. Thankfully, she also listens to me and values my input. I think our relationship has a bittersweet but pleasant harmony. With her innovative storytelling language and effortless scene construction, Neslihan was very successful in building the authentic world the script required.
In the series, not only the leads but also the supporting characters are very strongly written and built. Was this balance something you paid special attention to during production?
The supporting characters contribute to the story in such a precise way that, while watching them, I sometimes found myself entertained and sometimes deeply reflective. Hearing Lal and Aktan’s story through their narration also brought a new layer to the storytelling.
How did the fact that the project will be released on Disney+ affect the production process? Did the idea of appealing to a global audience change your decisions?
This is my second project with the Disney+ team. I love working with them. They are always supportive and share their excitement, which is a very important motivation during production. Of course, the fact that it’s a global project excites us greatly.
Our biggest dream is for our work to be watched and loved not only in our country but all over the world. We didn’t make changes to the story in that sense, because we are already telling love, a universal human emotion. When you watch the series, you’ll also see that a global narrative language has been used in the directing style.
The visual language and use of music in the series are very strong. As a producer, what did you particularly focus on while building this aesthetic world?
I strongly believe in the importance of music. That’s why we usually create a playlist before and during the shoot. These tracks reflect the spirit of the series. We also give our composer a brief that conveys the emotional world we’ve built for the story, and in the end, the scenes and the music come together beautifully.
What was the most challenging or most pride-inducing moment for you in this project?
As MF Yapım, we try to avoid repeating ourselves. With each new project, we make bold decisions and work carefully with the entire creative team to define our vision clearly. When I watched the series, I felt proud, on behalf of everyone involved, to have realized another dream.
Looking back today, what kind of project is We’ll Be Fine for you? What kind of mark did it leave on you as a producer?
We’ll Be Fine, both while reading and watching, became a work that will make everyone who watches it think, question themselves, and feel hopeful through the strength of its text and its execution. It’s a very passionate and warm love story that will make our hearts race.
Today, relationships are consumed very quickly, but this series tells the story of a bond that cannot be broken. What do you think the audience will find in this story?
I believe everyone who watches will feel as if they’re looking into a mirror. In a way, they will self-reflect, almost like therapy. And despite everything, they will say that love is beautiful.
Many love stories are produced in Turkey, but only a few truly stay with the audience. What do you think sets this project apart?
From the very beginning, Neslihan said she wanted to create a real world without any embellishment, drawing strength from the authenticity of the story. I think that was the right decision. Because while watching, you focus only on what is happening in that moment. There isn’t a crowded world here. We follow Lal and Aktan and their deep emotions. That’s where the difference lies.
The Turkish TV industry is changing rapidly—platforms, viewing habits, storytelling… As a producer, how do you interpret this transformation? What does the audience want now?
I think Turkish audiences are very smart and selective, and they always reward what is good and different. Being able to tell a simple story in a unique way has become a skill in itself. I always say this: what we tell must hit the audience straight in the heart.
How does working with a global platform like Disney+ affect your perspective as a producer? Has it changed the way you think about storytelling or production decisions?
Of course, it gives you a more comfortable space compared to working in mainstream television. But regardless of the platform, I believe we must stay true to a storytelling language that connects with the audience. At the same time, we can be more daring both technically and in terms of content.
The fact that Disney+ will bring us together with a global audience places a responsibility on us, and with that awareness, we strive to do our very best. Especially while building the world of the series, we made clear decisions to adopt a universal narrative language.
