Barbora Suster, director for Latin America and Iberia, spoke to ttvnews about the new drama by OGM Pictures and TV8, internationally distributed by Eccho Rights.
On December 25th, 2019, TV8 premiered the Turkish drama My Home, My Destiny (Doğduğun Ev Kaderindir), a super production for prime time, from OGM Pictures and Onur Güvenatam as executive producer. Güvenatam is known for hits like The Gift and The Protector on Netflix, or Wounded Love (Kanal D) and A Part of Me (Star TV).
Ever since, the series has become a true ratings phenomenon in Turkey, making the decision to renew it for a second season an easy one.
And now, as it gets ready to begin production again -it was interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic-, the drama is about to start its international journey, with advanced negotiations in Eastern Europe and interest from the main Spanish-speaking markets.
“We are excited to be launching a prime time title that’s working so well amidst the crisis and the pandemic. This isn’t common. The story is very strong, and the producer behind it is majorly important and experienced,” Barbora Suster, director for Latin America and Iberia at Eccho Rights, the company in charge of its international distribution, said to ttvnews.
Starring Demet Özdemir (Daydreamer) and İbrahim Çelikkol (Iffet), the drama tells the story of Zeynep, a girl born in a humble home with few opportunities. Her luck changes when the rich family her mother works for as a maid offers to adopt her. Years later, Zeynep becomes an intelligent, polite and beautiful young woman, set to marry a rich man.
However, Zeynep decides to go back to her birth home, where she discovers many lessons and surprises, and meets the love of her life.
The story is based on the book Camdaki Kiz, written by psychologist Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu, about the true story of one of her patients.
“It’s a different type of series than what’s normally seen in Turkey, because it’s based on a true story. It’s a romantic family drama, obviously, but it has original elements. It’s a very psychological series, since it’s based on a book written by a psychologist and its narrative is different, not as classic,” Suster said.
“And because of its quality, it’s on par with any Ay Yapim or Med Yapim series, to name a few,” she added.
As of now, 11 weekly episodes have aired in Turkey, which equals around 40 international episodes. The idea is for the first season to have a total of 95.
“The series’ production was paused, same as in every country, but filming will begin again in a few weeks and will continue throughout the summer, so we will have about 95 episodes for its first season, 40 of which are already done. We have a 40-episode head start, which were done before the pandemic, and that’s great,” she said.
About to close its first international sales, the series is already sparking interest from global buyers.
“We’ve already hosted a virtual launch event, which worked very well and the feedback from clients is positive, from all platforms and territories. We are also working on dubbing the first episodes with Universal Sinergia, so we have them ready for screenings. The first ones will be available in about a week and as soon as we have the first sale, we will dub the full series,” she explained.
“I don’t think it will take long to sign the first sales. Although things usually move a bit slower in Latin America, there’s great interest for it in Spain from the main networks and the general feedback from our main clients is positive,” she concluded.
